The correct answer is: A. Austro-Asiatic
The Munda languages are a group of languages spoken in eastern India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. They are the native languages of the Munda peoples, who are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. The Munda languages are classified as part of the Austro-Asiatic language family.
The Austro-Asiatic language family is a large language family that includes over 100 languages spoken in Southeast Asia, East Asia, and South Asia. The Austro-Asiatic languages are thought to have originated in Southeast Asia, and they are believed to be one of the oldest language families in the world.
The Munda languages are divided into several branches, including the Kharia language, the Santali language, and the Mundari language. The Kharia language is spoken by about 1 million people in eastern India and Bangladesh. The Santali language is spoken by about 7 million people in eastern India, Bangladesh, and Nepal. The Mundari language is spoken by about 1 million people in eastern India.
The Munda languages are tonal languages, which means that the pitch of the voice is used to distinguish between different words. The Munda languages are also polysynthetic languages, which means that words can be very long and complex, consisting of multiple roots and affixes.
The Munda languages are a fascinating and important part of the linguistic diversity of the Indian subcontinent. They are a valuable resource for understanding the history and culture of the Munda peoples.
The other options are incorrect because:
- Option B, Dravidian, is a language family that includes languages spoken in southern India and Sri Lanka.
- Option C, Indo-Aryan, is a language family that includes languages spoken in northern India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
- Option D, Tibeto-Burman, is a language family that includes languages spoken in Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, China, and Laos.