Saam
Native to	Nepal
Region	Mechi Zone
Ethnicity	Kiranti
Native speakers	530 (2011 census)^[1] (400 Saam, 130 Lingkhim)^[1]
Language family	Sino-Tibetan Tibeto-Burman Mahakiranti (?) Kiranti Central Saam
Dialects	Bungla Lingkhim Sambya
Language codes
ISO 639-3	`raq`
Glottolog	`saam1282`
ELP	Saam

Saam, Saama Kha, is a nearly extinct Kiranti language spoken in Nepal. The name Saam is ambiguous, and shared with neighboring languages.

Chukwa may be Saam if it is not Kulung.

Geographical distribution

Saam is spoken in the following locations of Nepal (Ethnologue).

Dobhane and Khatamma (Khartangma) VDC's, northern Bhojpur District, Kosi Zone; straddling the Irkhuwa River, in Dangmaya, Okharbote, Khartangma, and Dobhane settlements between the Phedi River and Irkhuwa River
Phikkal VDC, Ilam District, Mechi Zone

References

Greater Magaric	Magaric Magar Kham Chepangic Chepang Bhujel Raji–Raute Dura–Tandrange

Myanmar and Indo-Burmese border

"Naga"	Ao Angami–Pochuri Meitei Tangkhulic Zeme
Sal	Boro–Garo Konyak Jingpho–Luish

Burmo-Qiangic	Qiangic Gyalrongic Ersuic Naic Lolo-Burmese Mondzish Burmish Loloish

Greater Siangic	Siangic Koro Milang Idu–Taraon

Proposed groupings

Italics indicates single languages that are also considered to be separate branches.

v t e Kiranti languages
Limbu	Limbu
Western	Thulung Wambule Jerung Khaling Dumi Koi Bahing Sunwar Vayu Tilung
Central	Kulung Nachhiring Sampang Saam Bantawa Puma Chamling Dungmali
Eastern	Yakkha Belhare Athpare Chintang Chulung Yamphu Lohorung Mewahang
Dhimalish	Dhimal Toto Lhokpu
see also: Mahakiranti languages