James Herbert Lorrain

James Herbert Lorrain, or Pu Buanga, (6 February 1870 – 1 July 1944) was a Scottish Baptist missionary in northeast India, including Mizoram, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh. He and Frederick William Savidge reduced the Lushai language (a Colonial British name, present Mizo language) to writing—devised an alphabet using Roman lettering and phonetic form of spelling based on Hunterian system translation; compiled grammar and dictionaries for missionary activities and clerical administration.

James Herbert Lorrain
Born(1870-02-06)6 February 1870
Died1 July 1944(1944-07-01) (aged 74)
London and was buried in grave Lane KK, Section No. CC, Plot No. 16J in South Ealing Cemetery, 28 Chilton Ave, London W5 4RU, UK.
NationalityBritish
Other namesPu Buanga (to Mizo people)
OccupationChristian missionary
Known forChristianity in Mizoram, Mizo language, and Mizo literature

He and F.W. Savidge were credited to the establishment of Christianity and education in Mizoram. They compiled the first Lushai grammar and dictionary. As a gifted lexicographer, Lorrain single-handedly was responsible for the origin of written language and hymns in Mizo. More popularly known as "Pu Buanga Dictionary", Dictionary of the Lushai Language became the foundation of Mizo language and literature.

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