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The national language of Nepal is known as "Nepali". According to the most recent official [http://www.cbs.gov.np/ census], conducted by [http://www.nepalhmg.gov.np/index_eng.php His Majesty's Government of Nepal] (HMG) in 2001, Nepal is home to around 20 million speakers of Nepali. Nepali is the mother tongue for 11 million people, and a ''lingua franca'' for many more. Outside of Nepal, Nepali is also spoken in northeast India and in much of Bhutan. On account of its widespread use in the states of West Bengal (particularly in the district of Darjeeling) and Sikkim, the [http://indiacode.nic.in/coiweb/welcome.html Indian Constitution] recognizes Nepali as a major language of India. In Bhutan, while Dzongkha is the national language, Nepali is widely spoken by people from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
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==Description==
All languages spoken as the mother tongues in Nepal are the languages of the nation. Many of the languages also have various dialects.<br>
The 2011 National census lists 123 languages spoken as a mother tongue (first language) in Nepal.<br>
The official working language at federal level is Nepali, but the constitution provisions each province to choose one or more additional official working languages. A total of 14 official languages have been designated. <ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Languages with official status in Nepal," in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_with_official_status_in_Nepal, accessed 11 Apr 2022.</ref>


Nepali is an Indo-Aryan language, and thus part of a linguistic grouping which includes other South Asian languages such as Hindi, Bengali, Marathi and Gujarati. Modern Indo-Aryan languages are related to Sanskrit, much as modern European languages are related to Latin. To find out more about South Asian languages, visit the [http://www.southasiabibliography.de/index.html South Asian Linguistics] website maintained by Dr. John Peterson. Nepali is written in the Devanagari (or 'Nagari') script, which is also used for Hindi, Marathi and Sanskrit. Nepali Devanagari has 11 vowels and 33 consonants. The script is essentially phonetic, meaning that the pronunciation closely resembles the writing system. The script is written from left to right, with a top line indicating the word boundaries. In order to view or input the Devanagari script in a digital context, it is necessary to have a Devanagari font installed on one's computer or to have a computer which is [http://www.unicode.org/ Unicode] compliant.
According to the 2011 national census, the number of native speakers per spoken language is as follows: <ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Languages_of_Nepal," in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'', https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Nepal#:~:text=Languages%20in%20Nepal%20by%20numbers%20of%20speakers, accessed 11 Apr 2022.</ref>
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepali_language '''Nepali''' language] - 44.64%
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maithili_language '''Maithili''' language] - 11.67%
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhojpuri_language '''Bhojpuri''' language] - 5.98%
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tharu_languages '''Tharu''' languages] - 5.77%
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newar_language '''Newar''' language] -  also known as '''Newari''' and '''Nepal Bhasa''' - 3.20%
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bajjika '''Bajjika''' language] - 2.99%
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magar_language '''Magar''' language] - 2.98%
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doteli '''Doteli''' language] - also known as '''Dotyali''' - 2.97%
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urdu '''Urdu''' language] - 2.61%
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awadhi_language '''Awadhi''' language] - 1.89%
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limbu_language '''Limbu''' language] - 1.30%
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gurung_language '''Gurung''' language] - 1.23%


[[Category:Nepal]]<br>
==Word List(s)==
* [https://omniglot.com/language/phrases/nepali.php Useful phrases in Nepali] - Omniglot
* [https://omniglot.com/language/kinship/nepali.htm Family words in Nepali] - Omniglot
* [https://omniglot.com/language/phrases/maithili.php Useful phrases in Maithili] - Omniglot
* [https://omniglot.com/language/phrases/bhojpuri.php Useful phrases in Bhojpuri] - Omniglot
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhojpuri_language#:~:text=Common%20phrases Bhojpuri Common phrases] - Wikipedia
* [https://omniglot.com/language/phrases/newari.htm Useful phrases in Newar] - Omniglot
* [https://omniglot.com/language/phrases/urdu.php Useful Urdu phrases] - Omniglot
 
==Alphabet and Pronunciation==
'''Alphabet'''
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/nepali.htm#:~:text=alphabet%20for%20Nepali Alphabet for Nepali] - Omniglot
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepali_phonology Nepali Vowels and Consonants] - Wikipedia
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/maithili.htm#:~:text=alphabet%20for%20Maithili Alphabet for Maithili] - Omniglot
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maithili_language#:~:text=Phonology Maithili Vowels and Consonants] - Wikipedia
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/bhojpuri.htm#:~:text=alphabet%20for%20Bhojpuri Alphabet for Bhojpuri] - Omniglot
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhojpuri_language#:~:text=Phonology Bhojpuri Vowels & Consonants] - Wikipedia
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamang_language#:~:text=Phonology Tamang Vowels & Consonants] - Wikipedia
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/newar.htm#:~:text=script%20for%20Newar Script for Newar] - Omniglot
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newar_language#:~:text=Phonology Newar Vowels & Consonants] - Wikipedia
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/magar.htm#:~:text=Magar%20alphabet Magar alphabet] - Omniglot
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magar_language#:~:text=Phonology Magar Vowels & Consonants] - Wikipedia
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/doteli.htm#:~:text=alphabet%20for%20Doteli Alphabet for Doteli] - Omniglot
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/urdu.htm Alphabet for Urdu] - Omniglot
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urdu#:~:text=Phonology Urdu Vowels & Consonants] - Wikipedia
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/awadhi.htm#:~:text=Awadhi%20alphabet Awadhi alphabet] - Omniglot
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awadhi_language#:~:text=Phonology Awadhi Vowels & Consonants] - Wikipedia
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/limbu.htm#:~:text=alphabet%20for%20Limbu Alphabet for Limbu] - Omniglot
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limbu_language#:~:text=Phonology Limbu Vowels & Consonants] - Wikipedia
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/gurung.htm#:~:text=alphabet%20for%20Gurung Alphabet for Gurung] - Omniglot
 
'''Pronunciation'''
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/magar.htm#:~:text=pronunciation Magar pronunciation] - Omniglot
* [https://omniglot.com/writing/awadhi.htm#:~:text=pronunciation Awadhi pronunciation] - Omniglot
 
==Language Aids and Dictionaries==
'''Dictionaries'''
* Raj, Prakash A. ''Nepali practical dictionary : Nepali-English, English-Nepali.'' New York: Hippocrene Books, Inc, 2014. '''''Available at:''''' [https://www.worldcat.org/title/937841806 WorldCat].
* Sresthacharya, Iswaranand. ''A concise dictionary, Newar-English.'' Kathmandu, Nepal: Pilgrims Book House, 1995. '''''Available at:''''' [https://www.worldcat.org/title/35151467 WorldCat].
* Kölver, Ulrike and Ishwaranand Shresthacarya. ''A dictionary of contemporary Newari Newari - English.'' Verl, Bonn: VGH-Wiss, 1994. '''''Available at:''''' [https://www.worldcat.org/title/311968187 WorldCat].
* Tuladhar, Kamal. ''English-Nepal Bhasa dictionary.'' Kathmandu: J.R. Tuladhar, 2003. '''''Available at:''''' [https://www.worldcat.org/title/52845720 WorldCat].
* Ḥaqqī, Shānulḥaq. ''Oxford English- Urdu dictionary.'' Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003. '''''Available at:''''' [https://www.worldcat.org/title/60865209 WorldCat].
* Tumbāhāṅphe, Gambhīradhoja. ''Limbu-English-Nepali dictionary.'' Limbuvāna: Limbuvāna Adhyayana Kendra, 2015. '''''Available at:''''' [https://www.worldcat.org/title/1036775890 WorldCat].
* Glover, Warren William, Deu Bahadur Gurung, and Jessie R. Glover. ''Gurung-Nepali-English dictionary : with English-Gurung and Nepali-Gurung indexes.'' Australian Nat. Univ, Canberra: Dep. of Linguistics, Research School of Pacific Studies, 1977. '''''Available at:''''' [https://www.worldcat.org/title/251725250 WorldCat].
 
'''Online Dictionaries'''
* [https://glosbe.com/en/ne Dictionary English - Nepali] - Glosbe
* [https://glosbe.com/en/mai Dictionary English - Maithili] - Glosbe
* [https://glosbe.com/en/bho Dictionary English - Bhojpuri] - Glosbe
* [https://glosbe.com/en/thl Dictionary English - Dangaura Tharu] - Glosbe
* [https://glosbe.com/en/new Dictionary English - Newari] - Glosbe
* [https://glosbe.com/en/mgp Dictionary English - Eastern Magar] - Glosbe
* [https://glosbe.com/en/dty Dictionary English - Dotyali] - Glosbe
* [https://glosbe.com/en/ur Dictionary English - Urdu] - Glosbe
* [https://glosbe.com/awa/en Dictionary Awadhi - English] - Glosbe
* [https://glosbe.com/lif/en Dictionary Limbu - English] - Glosbe
* [https://glosbe.com/en/gvr Dictionary English - Gurung] - Glosbe
 
'''Language Aids'''
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepali_grammar Nepali grammar] - Wikipedia
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maithili_grammar Maithili grammar] - Wikipedia
* Manders, Christopher Jay. ''A foundation in Nepali grammar.'' Bloomington: AuthorHouse, 2007. '''''Available at:''''' [https://www.worldcat.org/title/220418549 WorldCat].
* Yadav, Ramawatar. ''A reference grammar of Maithili.'' Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter, 1996. '''''Available at:''''' [https://www.worldcat.org/title/32970826 WorldCat].
* Shukla, Shaligram. ''Bhojpuri grammar.'' Washington: Georgetown univ. Press, 1981. '''''Available at:''''' [https://www.worldcat.org/title/610913098 WorldCat].
* Dahita, Gopāla. ''Tharu grammar.'' Kendriya Pariyojanā Kāryālaya, Bardiyā: Yunika Nepāla, 2013. '''''Available at:''''' [https://www.worldcat.org/title/858914667 WorldCat].
* Young, David James. ''Urdu grammar.'' California: Createspace, 2014. '''''Available at:''''' [https://www.worldcat.org/title/1257976630 WorldCat].
* Tumbāhāṅa, Govindabahādura and Nepāla ra Eśiyālī Anusandhāna Kendra. ''A grammar of Limbu.'' Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu: Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies, 2011. '''''Available at:''''' [https://www.worldcat.org/title/812120466 WorldCat].
* HILDEBRANDT, KRISTINE A. ''GRAMMAR OF GURUNG.'' n.p.: DE GRUYTER MOUTON, 2019. '''''Available at:''''' [https://www.worldcat.org/title/1053998592 WorldCat].
 
==Additional Resources==
 
 
== References  ==
{{reflist}}
 
 
[[Category:Nepal]]

Latest revision as of 19:35, 20 March 2024


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Description

All languages spoken as the mother tongues in Nepal are the languages of the nation. Many of the languages also have various dialects.
The 2011 National census lists 123 languages spoken as a mother tongue (first language) in Nepal.
The official working language at federal level is Nepali, but the constitution provisions each province to choose one or more additional official working languages. A total of 14 official languages have been designated. [1]

According to the 2011 national census, the number of native speakers per spoken language is as follows: [2]

Word List(s)

Alphabet and Pronunciation

Alphabet

Pronunciation

Language Aids and Dictionaries

Dictionaries

  • Raj, Prakash A. Nepali practical dictionary : Nepali-English, English-Nepali. New York: Hippocrene Books, Inc, 2014. Available at: WorldCat.
  • Sresthacharya, Iswaranand. A concise dictionary, Newar-English. Kathmandu, Nepal: Pilgrims Book House, 1995. Available at: WorldCat.
  • Kölver, Ulrike and Ishwaranand Shresthacarya. A dictionary of contemporary Newari Newari - English. Verl, Bonn: VGH-Wiss, 1994. Available at: WorldCat.
  • Tuladhar, Kamal. English-Nepal Bhasa dictionary. Kathmandu: J.R. Tuladhar, 2003. Available at: WorldCat.
  • Ḥaqqī, Shānulḥaq. Oxford English- Urdu dictionary. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003. Available at: WorldCat.
  • Tumbāhāṅphe, Gambhīradhoja. Limbu-English-Nepali dictionary. Limbuvāna: Limbuvāna Adhyayana Kendra, 2015. Available at: WorldCat.
  • Glover, Warren William, Deu Bahadur Gurung, and Jessie R. Glover. Gurung-Nepali-English dictionary : with English-Gurung and Nepali-Gurung indexes. Australian Nat. Univ, Canberra: Dep. of Linguistics, Research School of Pacific Studies, 1977. Available at: WorldCat.

Online Dictionaries

Language Aids

  • Nepali grammar - Wikipedia
  • Maithili grammar - Wikipedia
  • Manders, Christopher Jay. A foundation in Nepali grammar. Bloomington: AuthorHouse, 2007. Available at: WorldCat.
  • Yadav, Ramawatar. A reference grammar of Maithili. Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter, 1996. Available at: WorldCat.
  • Shukla, Shaligram. Bhojpuri grammar. Washington: Georgetown univ. Press, 1981. Available at: WorldCat.
  • Dahita, Gopāla. Tharu grammar. Kendriya Pariyojanā Kāryālaya, Bardiyā: Yunika Nepāla, 2013. Available at: WorldCat.
  • Young, David James. Urdu grammar. California: Createspace, 2014. Available at: WorldCat.
  • Tumbāhāṅa, Govindabahādura and Nepāla ra Eśiyālī Anusandhāna Kendra. A grammar of Limbu. Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu: Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies, 2011. Available at: WorldCat.
  • HILDEBRANDT, KRISTINE A. GRAMMAR OF GURUNG. n.p.: DE GRUYTER MOUTON, 2019. Available at: WorldCat.

Additional Resources

References

  1. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Languages with official status in Nepal," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_with_official_status_in_Nepal, accessed 11 Apr 2022.
  2. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Languages_of_Nepal," in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Nepal#:~:text=Languages%20in%20Nepal%20by%20numbers%20of%20speakers, accessed 11 Apr 2022.
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