Chutiyas have a distinct language of their own, which is called Chutiya language. The original language is not in vogue among the Chutiyas at present. They now speak a mixed form of language which is neither original Chutiya language nor proper standard Assamese language. It is a mixed from of typical Assamese language where are 20 to 30 percent words of Chutiya language.
There can be hardly any doubt that the critical events of history had adversely affected the Chutiya language leading it to the verge of extinction_ In 1523 A.D,, Ahom King Suhumgrnung alias Dihingia Raja held his away over the Chutiya territory and subjugated the people. The Chutlyas barring the levitate or Priest class were griven away from their homeland. They were scattered all over the Ahom territory and outside as well, Some entered the Kachari kingdom, 6orirw into the Koch Kingdom and some of them snicked into the might:10ring irJ hills, These circumstances led these Chutiyas to abandon their own language for communication.
However, the Dibongia Deoris or the priestly class of the Chutias preserved the Chutiya language. At present this is popularly known as DeariChutiya lansuagp. This language belonged to the Tibeto-Burman family which is the frnportpnt group of indo-,Chinese language. 18
G.A. qrlerson in his; 'Linguistic Survey of India' observes Chutiya language indeed, inay fairly claim to be the original language of upper Assam. The language of this race now only known to the families of the priest, contain 4 great propoiTtion of Sanskrit and Hindu words" 49
He further holds: "The known Chootiyah or (Chootiya) language appears to have been the only language in existence at the period of the advent of the Ahoms to Assam
W.B. Brown in his 'Deori Chutiya Language' writes "the people are generally called Deoris simply; the language more properly known as Chutiya,.. the other two divisions of the race, the Hindu Chutiya and Ahorn Chutiya have long since lost all trace of their language and origin and have become merged in the general mass of semi Hinduised Assarnese; but their original connection with Deoris has never been disputed , and is freely acknowledged by themselves,"si
E.T. Dalton in his 'Tribal History of Eastern Indio' observes; "It was long
before anything was discovered of their language; but an isolated colony on 111
the river Dikirung in Lakhimpur, calling themselves 'Deori-Chutiya' were found
who had a peculiar language which they called Chutia, and they were styled Deoris, because they had been attached as priests to certain temple, formerly of great celebrity, above Sadiya, called them Tamreswari Mai, where human sacrifices were yearly offered. Another colony of the same tribe was found by Colonel Hannay occupying a very remote position in upper Assam and still performing the priestly duties of a certain shrine dedicated to Kali. If the dialect spoken by their Deoris be truly the language of the Chutias, it proves the linguistic affinities of the tribe to be with Garo and Bodo."52
E.A. Gait in his book 'A History of Assam' says; "the Chutiyas now number about a twelfth of a million, and are found Chiefly in Lakhimpur and the adjunct part of Sibsagar. Their language, which is still known to the
Deories, or priestly section of the tribe, is unmistakably Bodo, but their appearance suggests that they have in their frames a considerable infusion of Shan blood"53
Surya Kumar Bhuyan in his Wochori Buranji) writes "The Moran and the Chutiyas in upper Assam, Whose language, not although extinct as yet, though apparently dying out rapidly, would seem to prove them to be closely akin to the Kachari (Bodo) race".54
The Census report of India, Assam, 1881, mentioned that 'the language spoken by the Deories-Chutiyas has a strong affinity with Kachari, the Chutias may, therefore, be regarded as a branch of the Bodo race."55
The Census Report of India, Assam, 1931, mentioned; "The Chutiya liguage is now spoken by Deori section of Chutiyas, most of whom are to be found in Lakhimpur" .56 The Census of India 1961, mentioned; "The Chutiyas are very old inhabitants of upper Assam. The language spoken by the Deori Chutiyas has a strong affinity with Kachari, and the Chutiyas may, therefore be regarded as a branch of the Bodo race".57
The Assam District Gazetteers, Lakhimpur 1976 and Sibsagar 1967 mentioned; The Chutiyas like the Koch and the Ahoms, are one of the race castes (plain tribes) of Assam. Their physical appearance suggests a Mongolian origin, their language, which is steel preserved amongst the Deoris or priestly clan, belongs to the Bodo family and it seems probable that they are section of the great Bodo race which includes the Garo, the Kachari and the Tippera".58
From the above observations it becomes clear that Chutiya language of the Chutiyas is a branch of Tibeto-Burman Bodo origin and the language now spoken by the Dibangiya section of the Deoris is originally Chutiya language and that the Deoris are only a section of the Chutiyas. Hence the term first used by W.B. Brow as Deori-Chutiya language still holds good. In course of time due to socio-historical and geographical factors the Chutiyas and the Deoris except Dibongiya Deori section were left to speak their original dialect. The course of history compelled that people to leave their own dialect and merge with the Assamese language. However, they have not completely abandoned their own language. They use at least 20 to 30 percent Chutiya words in their dialect at present. Hence the dialect spoken by the Chutiya people is not exactly similar to standard Assamese language. It is a peculiar form of typical Assarnese language. Same address- oriented terms and some kinds of noun, adjective, verb and adverbial terms used in their present dialect seem to have beef significant.
The address oriented terms such as 'bobal (father), 'yoi' or Ioio` (mother), 'dai'or 'cictiti' (uncle), 'mai' or ‘mahiti' (aunty), 'pef' or 1pahitil (aunty), 'rnomaii or 'rnornaiti' (uncle), `kar or 'kohl' (brother), `bai' or 'boltil (sister), 'aowa' (baby), 'pelingai (adult boy), etc. are still prevailing among the Chutiyas. This dialect bears affinity to present Deori-Chutiya language. However many noun oriented terms of original Chutiya language still exists in the dialect of Chutiyas. For Example- 'Ati' (village), 'Dati' (Border),' `Dank' (Mosquito), 'Dor' (cloth hanging rope), 'Dokoro' (wooden martle). 'Dun' (small Basket), 'Ingkorii (one inset), Vobakal (cleaner), 1./oburcif (vegetable curry), 'kuduna' (grinding pot), 'kuki' (Basket), `Macloli' (ornaments), Wigwam' (water protector), 'Pupa'
(breast), `Roina' (cleaning instrument), 'Takun' (Stick), 'Tadung' (cooking spun) etc. are still existing among the Chuttyas.
Different adjective, verb and adverbial terms of original language also exist among them. For example — 'omoto' (heart), 'ayoi' (painful), 'ayoiyo' (very pain), 'begs' (quick), 'bugi' or fbuki) (carrying), 'churuka' (clean), Vep-depia' (ful o pot), Vow' (friend), ldogiyal (beat), Vakarat (not ready to eat), 'arabong' (sound of falling), 'duba' (bury), 'dhupa' (over dried), 'era' (oh yes), lgangera' (roughly), egobong' (sound of swimming), 'goroha' or 'goba' (covered by hand), 'gujok' (thorn), 'gugung' (long sharp weapon), 'hedem' (selfish), 'hake' (bamboo' bridge), 'Iwo' (curse), 'hereko' (tasteless), 'helengjeleng' (weakness), 'helengi (weak), 'hisebaj (cleaning water), 'kujunga' or 'kungo; (bronken waist), 'kora' (bring out from pot), 'iobi` (take), ilekia' (this type), 'lung' (very high), flikota' (hard to cut), "pachiba' (ask to do), 'raideng' (big cane), `rip-rip' (sweet wind), 'rim-firni (mid test of chili), 'rohila' (stopping), 'ruka' (putting hand in hole), 'sew' (habit), 'sew-bew' (character), 'teou' (though) etc.59
Experts are of the opinion that this dialect bears affinity to TibetoBurmese, Assam Burmese language of Bodo origin. Therefore it has been observed that the Deori- Chutiya language has been a cause of uniformity among the Chutiyas inseparable and in 30 March 2001 the government of Assam approved and signified this language as Deori Chutiya language.