Published Paper Details:

This study examines lexical borrowing in Kokborok, with particular emphasis on the influence of Bangla and English. As the indigenous language of the Tripuri community, Kokborok has experienced extensive contact with neighboring and global languages due to historical, social, educational, and administrative factors. These interactions have resulted in the incorporation of numerous loan words, especially from Bangla and English, into the Kokborok lexicon. The research investigates the nature, sources, and patterns of lexical borrowing, as well as the phonological and morphological adaptations that borrowed words undergo before becoming part of everyday Kokborok usage. It also explores the sociolinguistic factors that encourage borrowing, including bilingualism, language contact, education, urbanization, media exposure, and technological advancement. The study employs a descriptive and qualitative approach, drawing on examples from spoken and written Kokborok to illustrate the extent of lexical influence. The findings indicate that while Bangla has significantly influenced domains such as administration, culture, and daily communication because of long-standing regional contact, English has contributed extensively to the vocabulary of education, science, technology, and modern lifestyle. The study concludes that lexical borrowing has enriched the Kokborok vocabulary and reflects the language's adaptability to changing social and cultural contexts. At the same time, it emphasizes the importance of documenting these linguistic changes to preserve the unique identity and structural characteristics of Kokborok.