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CHAUDNGS.

　Chaudngs is the dialect spoken in Patti Chaudangs in Almora. Chaudangs is situated between the Kali and Dhauli Rivers, from their confluence northwards. It is about twelve miles in length, and about eight miles in breadth, containing about 100 square miles of mountainous country between Khela and Nirpaniyodhura. The inhabit- ants are Bhis, and they occupy about eleven small villages.

　The revised estimate of the number of speakers is 1,485.

　The Chaudngs dialect has not been dealt with by any authority. The remarks which follow are based on the materials forwarded for the purposes of this Survey, viz., a version of the Parable of the Prodigal Son, a version of a well-known popular tale, and a list of Standard Words and Phrases. They have all been prepared by Babu Gobind Prasad, B. A. None of them are originals, but they have all been translated into the dialect. It is not therefore certain that they in all particulars faithfully represent the real state of affairs. The ensuing remarks are, however, exclusively based on them, and they are therefore given with some reserve.

　Chaudngs has been influenced from various sources, and is in some respects a mixed form of speech. Aryan vernaculars have contributed to the vocabulary, and also, to some extent, modified the grammar. There are also indications which point to an old influence exercised by other forms of speech.

　Pronunciation.-The vowels a, i, and u may be long or short. E and o are apparently always long. Long and short vowels sometimes interchange in the same word; thus at and ati, that; j-g and ji-g, my; mng and mang, a plural suffix, and so forth. The specimens are not sufficiently accurate to enable us to lay down definite rules about such points.

　Final vowels are often dropped; thus, at, ati, and at, that. This is very commonly the case in suffixes. Thus the suffixes of the case of the agent and the genitive are usually s, g, respectively. Sometimes, however, fuller forms ending in s, sai, and gai, respectively, are also used; thus, j-s and j-sai, by me; ap-g and ap-gai, his. Similarly, the suffix of the most common verbal noun is m, but sometimes also ma; thus, j-m, to eat; d-m, to go; ra-r-m-ch, on becoming; sy-syung-ma-ch, having collected.

　On the other hand, an a is sometimes inserted between concurrent consonants in order to make the pronunciation easier. Thus, tung-a-m, to drink; am-a-g, of the road, and so forth.

　Different vowels are often interchangeable; thus, lh-s, and lh-s said; and he; rangsy and ringsy, sister; ing-k-t and yung-k-t, behind; hng-m-hung-m- mng, servants, and so forth. Compare the various re-duplicated forms of verbs.

　Final consonants are often dropped. Thus, l, Tibetan lag, hand; ph, Tibetan phug, cave, and so forth. Compare, however, tig, Tibetan gchig, one; uk, Tibetan drug, six, and so forth. Note also n, Tibetan gnas, to be; lh-s, Tibetan bzlas, said, etc.

　The numerous initial compound consonants of classical Tibetan are usually simpli- fied. Thus, chh, Tibetan bgo, share; p, Tibetan bzhi, four; ch, Tibetan bchu, ten; jyad Tibetan brgyad, eight; lak-chhyap, Tibetan lag-gdub, ring; tig, Tibetan gchig, one; nis, Tibetan gnyis, two; ngaii, Tibetan lnga, five; mul, Tibetan dngul, silver; gv, Tibetan dgu, nine; ph, Tibetan spyug, expel; lh, Tibetan zla, moon; lh-s, Tibetan