Meithei (also Manipuri, Meetei, Meitei, Meiteilon) is the predominant language
and lingua-franca in the state of Manipur, in northeastern
India. It is the official language in government offices.
Meithei is also spoken in Assam, Bangladesh, Tripura, and
Myanmar Meithei has proven to be a large integrating factor
among all ethnic groups in Manipur who use it to communicate
among themselves.
Meithei has been recognized as the Manipuri language by
the Indian Union and has been included in the list of scheduled
languages (included in the 8th schedule by the 71st amendment
of the constitution in 1992). Meithei is taught as a subject
up to the Post-graduate level (Ph.D.) in Universities of
India, apart from being a medium of instruction up to the
undergraduate level in Manipur. Meithei should not be confused
with the Indo-Aryan language called Bishnupriya Manipuri
that was spoken in Manipur between the 13th and 19th centuries.