The Khasic or Khasian languages are a family of Austro-Asiatic languages spoken in the northeast-Indian state of Meghalaya and neighbouring areas of Bangladesh. They consist of:
- Khasi
- Pnar: closest to Proto-Khasi
- War: southern dialect displaying no vowel length contrast, as well as vowel restructuring
- Amwi
- Bhoi
- Lyngngam: Speakers were former Garo speakers who had adopted Khasi.
Paul Sidwell (2011) suggests that Khasian is closely related to Palaungic, forming a Khasi-Palaung branch.
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“People in places many of us never heard of, whose names we can’t pronounce or even spell, are speaking up for themselves. They speak in languages we once classified as “exotic” but whose mastery is now essential for our diplomats and businessmen. But what they say is very much the same the world over. They want a decent standard of living. They want human dignity and a voice in their own futures. They want their children to grow up strong and healthy and free.”
—Hubert H. Humphrey (1911–1978)