nepal

Languages of Nepal

See language maps.
[See also SIL publications on the languages of Nepal.]

Kingdom of Nepal, Sri Nepala Sarkar. 27,094,000. 17,982,769 Indo-European (79.1%), 4,183,995 Sino-Tibetan (18.4%), 40,260 Austro-Asiatic (less than 1%), 28,615 Dravidian (less than 1%), 503,295 not stated (2.2%) (2001 census). National or official languages: Nepali, English. Literacy rate: 54%; 65% males, 42% females (2001 census). Immigrant languages: English, Kharia (1,580), Urdu (175,000). Information mainly from D. B. Bista 1967, 1973, 1996; R. Burling 2003; K. Ebert 1994; A. Hale 1982; R. Hugoniot 1970; J. Matisoff, S. Baron and J. Lowe 1996; S. Toba 1976, 1983, 1991; W. Winter and Hansson 1991. Blind population: 100,000. Deaf population: 1,92,000. Deaf institutions: 3. The number of individual languages listed for Nepal is 126. Of those, 124 are living languages and 2 have no known speakers.

Angika	[anp] 15,900 in Nepal (2001 census). Terai. Alternate names: Anga, Angikar, Chhika-Chhiki. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bihari  More information.
Athpariya	[aph] 2,000 (1995 K. Ebert), decreasing. 439,312 all Rai languages (1991 census). Kosi zone, Dhankuta District, north of the Tamur, between the Dhankutakhola in the west and the Tangkhuwa in the east; Dhankuta and Bhirgaon panchayats. Alternate names: Arthare, Arthare-Khesang, Ath Paharia Rai, Athapre, Athpare, Athpre, Jamindar Rai.  Dialects: Athpare [byw] from Dhankuta and Belhara are very similar, but not mutually inherently intelligible (Bickel 1996). Reportedly similar to Limbu [lif], but not inherently intelligible with it. The term ‘Kiranti’ covers about 21 speech varieties, of which fewer than half are even partially mutually intelligible.  Classification:Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern  More information.
Awadhi	[awa] 561,000 in Nepal (2001 census). Lumbini zone, Kapilbastu District; Bheri zone, Banke and Bardiya districts. Alternate names: Abadhi, Abadi, Abohi, Ambodhi, Avadhi, Baiswari, Kojali, Kosali.  Dialects: Degauri Tharu, Gangapari, Mirzapuri, Pardesi, Tharu, Uttari.  Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, East Central zone  More information.
Bagheli	[bfy] Ethnic population: 136,953 Kewat (2001 census). Koshi Zone, Morang District. Alternate names: Bagelkhandi, Bhugelkhud, Gangai, Kawathi, Kenat, Kevat Boli, Kevati, Kewani, Kewat, Kewati, Kewot, Mandal, Mannadi, Riwai.  Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, East Central zone  More information.
Bahing	[bhj] 10,000 (Lee et al. 2005). Sagarmatha zone, Okhaldunga District, south of Solu River in the Nachedanda ranges, east of Melung River to Thatan River and its tributaries west; south Solukhumbu District, Necha Batase and Sallyan VDCs. Alternate names: Bahing Lo, Baing, Bainge Rai, Baying, Bayung Lo, Pai Lo, Radi Lo, Rai, Kiranti-Bayung.  Dialects: Rumdali, Tolocha, Nechali. 85% or above intelligibility between all dialects. Rumdali is best understood among all Bahing dialects (Lee et al 2005); Bahing is more homogeneous than most Kiranti languages. Related to Sunwar [suz]. Lexical similarity: 83%–95% between dialects, 44%–48% with Sunwar.  Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kham-Magar-Chepang-Sunwari, Sunwari  More information.
Bantawa	[bap] 371,000 in Nepal (2001 census). Less than 5% monolinguals. Population total all countries: 390,200. Koshi zone, Morang, Dhankuta, Bhojpur, Sunsari, Sankhuwasawa districts; Sagarmatha zone, Khotang, Udayapur districts; Mechi zone, Jhapa, Panchthar districts. Amchoke is in Limbuwan, especially Ilam District. Homeland is the Eastern hills but many migrated to the Terai. Also in Bhutan. Alternate names: Bantaba, Bantawa Dum, Bantawa Rai, Bantawa Yong, Bantawa Yüng, Bontawa, Kiranti.  Dialects: Northern Bantawa (Dilpali), Southern Bantawa (Hatuwali, Hangkhim), Eastern Bantawa (Dhankuta), Western Bantawa (Amchoke, Amchauke). Southern and Northern Bantawa dialects are most similar and could be united as ‘Intermediate Bantawa’. Dialects are reportedly mutually inherently intelligible. Sorung and Saharaja are subvarieties of Western Bantawa. Rungchenbung and Yangma are subvarieties of Northern Bantawa. Eastern dialect is most divergent. Most closely related to Dungmali [raa]. Also related to Puma [pum], Sampang [rav], and Chhintange [ctn].  Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern  More information.
Baraamu	[brd] 2,000 (1998), decreasing. Ethnic population: 7,383 (2001 census). Gandaki zone, North Gorkha District, Takhu village up the Doraundi Khola, east side above Chorgate, near Kumhali, about 7 villages. May be in Dhading District. Alternate names: Baram, Barhamu, Bhramu, Brahmu, Bramu.  Dialects: Related to Thangmi [thf] (Grierson-Konow).  Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Western Himalayish, Eastern  More information.
Belhariya	[byw] 500 (1995 K. Ebert), decreasing. Koshi zone, Dhankuta District, Belhara village and hill west of Dhankuta Bajar. Alternate names: Belhare, Athpariya, Athpahariya, Athpare, Athpagari. Dialects: Different from Athpariya [aph], although also called that, and closely related to it (Winter 1991). Not intelligible with Athpariya (Bickel 1996:21). Appears to be between Athpariya, Yakkha [ybh], and Chhilling [cur] linguistically.  Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern  More information.
Bengali	[ben] 23,600 in Nepal (2001 census). Mechi zone, Jhapa District; Koshi zone, Morang and Sunsari districts; Sagarmatha zone, Saptari District. Alternate names: Bangala, Bangla, Bangla-Bhasa.  Dialects: Barik, Bhatiari, Chirmar, Kachari-Bengali, Lohari-Malpaharia, Musselmani, Rajshahi, Samaria, Saraki, Siripuria.  Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bengali-Assamese  More information.
Bhojpuri	[bho] 1,710,000 in Nepal (2001 census). Narayani zone, Rautahat, Bara, and Parsa districts; near India border, Lumbini zone, Nawalparasi District; Janakpur zone, Sarlahi District; Koshi zone, Morang District; Mechi zone, Jhapa District. Alternate names: Bajpuri, Bhojapuri, Bhozpuri. Dialects: Bhojpuri Tharu, Teli.  Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bihari  More information.
Bhujel	[byh] 3,900 (2005 D. Regmi). Ethnic population: 7,200 (2005 D. Regmi). Gandaki zone, East Tanahun District, south side of Chimkesori Peak, behind Yangchok, near the Magar. Separated from the Chepang by Trisuli (Narayani) River. Alternate names: Bujal, Bujhel, Bujheli, Bujhyal, “Gharti” , Pukhgyal Ngur, Western Chepang.  Dialects: Pronominal affix differences hinder intelligibility with Chepang. More like the East Himalayish languages. Lexical similarity: 98% with Chepang [cdm].  Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kham-Magar-Chepang-Sunwari, Chepang  More information.
Bodo	[brx] 3,300 in Nepal (2001 census). Ethnic population: 3,763 (2001 census). Mechi zone, Jhapa District. Alternate names: Bara, Bodi, Boro, Boroni, Mache, Mech, Meche, Mechi, Meci. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Jingpho-Konyak-Bodo, Konyak-Bodo-Garo, Bodo-Garo, Bodo  More information.
Bote-Majhi	[bmj] 11,000 (1991 census), decreasing. Narayani River banks and tributaries; Narayani zone, Chitwan, Parsa districts; Lumbini zone, Nawalparasi, Palpa, Gulmi districts; Gandaki zone, Tanahun, Gorkha, Kaski, Gulmi, Syangja districts. Alternate names: Kushar, Pakhe-Bote. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Unclassified  More information.
Byangsi	[bee] 1,730 in Nepal (2001 census). Ethnic population: 2,103. Mahakali zone, Darchula District, Byas Valley. 9 villages. Alternate names: Byangkho Lwo, Byanshi, Byansi, Byasi, Sauka, Shauka.  Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Western Himalayish, Almora  More information.
Camling	[rab] 12,100 (2006). East, Sagarmatha zone, Khotang District, west Khotang, Durchhim east across Diktel to Bhojpur border District; then south to Sawa Khola valley, scattered in Udayapur District. Sikkim and Darjeeling and Bhutan. Alternate names: Chamling, Chamlinge Rai, Rodong. Dialects: Most similar to Bantawa [bap] and Puma [pum] linguistically. Many people speak a variety mixed with Nepali [nep].  Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern  More information.
Chantyal	[chx] 2,000 (Noonan 1997), decreasing. Ethnic population: 9,814 (2001 census). Dhaulagiri zone, Myagdi District, Kali Gandaki River valley. Ethnic Chantel also in Baglung District. Alternate names: Chantel, Chantel Kham, Chentel, Chhantel, Khamkura.  Dialects: Related to Gurung [ggn], Manangba [nmm], Tamang [tdg], Thakali [ths] (Noonan 1997).  Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tamangic  More information.
Chaudangsi	[cdn] 1,200 in Nepal (2000). Mahakali zone, Darchula District, Chaudas Valley. 10 villages.Alternate names: Bangba Lwo, Sauka, Shauka, Tsaudangsi.  Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Western Himalayish, Almora  More information.
Chepang	[cdm] 36,800 (2001 census), increasing. Ethnic population: 52,237. Inner Terai; Narayani zone, Makwanpur, Chitawan, and South Dhading districts; Gandaki zone, South Gorkha District.Alternate names: Tsepang.  Dialects: Eastern Chepang, Western Chepang. Bhujel [byj] could be considered a dialect similar to Western Chepang, but has difficult intelligibility with Chepang due to different pronominal affix morphology. Dialects differ in verb forms. Similar in morphology to Kiranti languages. Lexical similarity: 98% with Bhujel [byh].  Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kham-Magar-Chepang-Sunwari, Chepang  More information.
Chhintange	[ctn] 1,500 (2003). Koshi zone, Lower Arun region, Dhankuta District, Chhintang Panchayat, Sambhung and Pokhare, and Ankhisalla Panchayat, Dandagaon. Alternate names: Chhintang, Chintang, Chintang Rûng, Teli.  Dialects: Probably not intelligible with Bantawa [bap], although sometimes considered a dialect of it because of ethnic similarities.  Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern  More information.
Chhulung	[cur] 1,310 (2001 census). Koshi zone, Ankhisalla Panchayat, Dhankuta District, end of Chhintang Panchayat. Alternate names: Chhilling, Chholung, Chhûlûng Rûng, Chulung, Chülüng.  Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern  More information.
Chukwa	[cuw] 100 (Winter 1991). Koshi zone, Bhojpur District, Kulung Panchayat. Alternate names:Cukwa Ring, Pohing, Pohing Kha.  Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern  Nearly extinct. More information.
Darai	[dry] 10,200 (2001 census). Ethnic population: 14,859. Inner Terai, Narayani zone, Chitawan District; Gandaki zone, Tanahu District; Lumbini zone, Nawalparasi, Palpa districts; Gandaki zone, Gorkha District. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Unclassified  More information.
Darmiya	[drd] 1,200 in Nepal (2000). Mahakali zone, Darchula District, Dhauli or Darma Valley, 16 villages.Alternate names: Darimiya, Sauka, Shauka.  Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Western Himalayish, Almora  More information.
Dhanwar	[dhw] 31,800 (2001 census), decreasing. No monolinguals (Toba, Toba and Rai 2005). Ethnic population: 53,229. Narayani zone, Makwanpur, Rautahat districts; Janakpur zone, Sindhuli District; Eastern hills and plain, inner Terai and Terai south of Kathmandu. Alternate names:Danuwar, Danuwar Rai, Denwar, Dhanvar.  Dialects: Danuwar Done [dha] in Makwanpur and India and Danuwar Kachariya in Rautahat and elsewhere are probably distinct languages from Dhanwar [dhw]. Typological affinities with Northwestern zone, Dardic group.  Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Unclassified  More information.
Dhimal	[dhi] 17,300 in Nepal (2001 census). Population total all countries: 17,750. Ethnic population: 19,537. Mechi zone, Jhapa District, 24 villages; Koshi zone, Morang District, 51 villages; East and West dialects are separated by Kankai River in Jhapa. Also in India. Alternate names: Dhemal. Dialects: Eastern Dhimal, Western Dhimal. Toto [txo] in India is a separate language with no inherent intelligibility between them. 75%–80% intelligibility between eastern and western dialect speakers. Lexical similarity: low with Toto [txo], 80%–82% between dialects.  Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Dhimal  More information.
Dolpo	[dre] 9,000 (2003). 5,000 monolinguals (2003). Karnali zone, north Dolpa District, villages of Goomatara, Kola, Tachel, Kani, Bajebara, Laun, Chilpara, Bantari, Byas, above Dolpa up to Tibet. Beyond the mountains west of upper Kali Gandaki River Valley. Confined by the Dhaulagire Himal on the south and Tibet on the north. Includes the headwaters of Karnali River. About 24 small villages in Namgang, Panzgang, Tarap, and Chharbung subdistricts. Alternate names:Dolpa Tibetan, Dolpike, Phoke Dolpa.  Dialects: Dho Tarap, Phoksumdo Lake, Barbung River, and Charka-Dolpo Chu River areas are slightly different, but inherent intelligibility is very good. Most similar language is Lowa [loy]. Dho Tarap reportedly understood best by all speakers. Reportedly similar to Tichurong [tcn]. Lexical similarity: 78% with Lowa [loy]; 69% with Lhomi [lhm]; 68% with Lhasa Tibetan [bod], Walungge [ola], and Kyerung [kgy]; 67% with Nubri [kte]; 66% with Helambu Sherpa [scp]; 62% with Jirel [jul] and Sherpa [xsr].  Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tibetan, Central  More information.
Dumi	[dus] 2,000 (2002 UNESCO). Sagarmatha zone, north Khotang District, hills near the middle of the Rawakhola Valley, Baksila, Saptesvara abutting Rava and Tap rivers near the confluence and upriver. May currently be spoken in only the village of Narung in the western part of this region. Alternate names: Dumi Bo’o, Dumi Bro, Lsi Rai, Ro’do Bo’, Sotmali.  Dialects: Brasmi, Kharbari, Lamdija, Makpa. Most similar to Khaling [klr], Koi [kkt]. Makpa dialect is markedly divergent. Lexical similarity: 78% with Lowa [loy]; 69% with Lhomi [lhm]; 68% with Lhasa Tibetan [bod], Walungge [ola], and Kyerung [kgy]; 67% with Nubri [kte]; 66% with Helambu Sherpa [scp]; 62% with Jirel [jul] and Sherpa [xsr].  Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Western  More information.
Dungmali	[raa] 220 (2001 census). Koshi zone; east Bhojpur District, northeast of the Singtang Lekh, bend of Arun River between its confluence with the Piukhuwa and the first confluence with Piluwa River. Alternate names: Arthare, Arthare-Khesang, Dungmali Pûk, Dungmali-Bantawa.  Dialects:Khesang (Khesange). The term ’Kiranti’ covers about 21 dialects, of which fewer than half are even partially intelligible. 82% cognate with Bantawa but morphology and phonology differ (Winter 1991).  Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern  More information.
Dura	[drq] No known speakers. Ethnic population: 3,397 (2001 census). Gandaki zone, Lamjung District, Dura Danda. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, West Bodish  More information.
Dzongkha	[dzo] 300 in Nepal (2007). Some in Kathmandu. Alternate names: Bhotia of Bhutan, Bhutanese, Drukha, Drukke, Jonkha, Zongkhar.  Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tibetan, Southern  More information.
Ghale, Kutang	[ght] 1,300 (1992). Gandaki zone, North Gorkha District, Buri Gandaki Valley from Nyak, up to and including Prok. Alternate names: Bhotte, Kuke.  Dialects: Bihi, Chak, Rana. Varieties spoken in Chhak and Kwak villages are similar to each other and different from all the other villages. Lexical similarity: 62%–76% among dialects, 39%–49% with Southern Ghale [ghe], 45%–61% with Northern Ghale [ghh], 18% with Banspur Gurung [gvr], 16%–23% with Tamang varieties, 13%–31% with Nubri [kte], 23%–27% with Tsum [ttz], 22%–27% with Kyerung [kgy], 19%–24% with Tibetan [bod].  Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tamangic  More information.
Ghale, Northern	[ghh] 4,440 (2006 SIL). 400 monolinguals. Gandaki zone, Gorkha District, Buri Gandaki Valley.Alternate names: Lila, Ril-Lila.  Dialects: Khorla, Uiya, Jagat, Philim, Nyak. Nyak is the most diverse dialect. Philim have 94% intelligibility of Uiya. 75%–79% intelligibility of Barpak in Southern Ghale [ghe]. Dialect chain runs north and south. Lexical similarity: 73%–89% among dialects. Lexical similarity 65%–81% with Southern Ghale, 45%–61% with Kutang Ghale [ght], 29%–37% with Western Tamang [tdg], 21%–27% with Nubri [kte], 22%–25% with Tsum [ttz], 19%–23% with Kyerung [kgy], 19%–21% with Tibetan [bod].  Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tamangic  More information.
Ghale, Southern	[ghe] 21,500 (2006). 2,000 monolinguals. Gandaki zone, Gorkha District, hills south of Macha Khola. Alternate names: Galle Gurung, Lila, Ril-Lila.  Dialects: Barpak, Kyaura, Laprak. Some intelligibility between Northern [ghh] and Southern Ghale. Dialect subgroup. Glover (1974:8–12) identifies a Ghale branch under Bodish intermediate between the Tibetan and Gurung branches. Lexical similarity: 75% –78% among dialects, 65%-81% with Northern Ghale, 39%–49% with Kutang Ghale [ght], 27%–30% with Banspur Gurung [gvr], 31% with Western Tamang [tdg], 20% with Nubri [kte] and Tsum [ttz], 18% with Tibetan [bod].  Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tamangic  More information.
Gurung, Eastern	[ggn] 227,000 (2007), decreasing. 338,925 all Gurung languages in Nepal (2001 census). Western Dev. region, Gandaki zone, mainly Lamjung, Tanahu, and west Gorkha districts. Possibly Manang District. Alternate names: Daduwa.  Dialects: Lamjung Gurung, Gorkha Gurung, Tamu Kyi. Eastern and Western Gurung [gvr] do not have adequate intelligibility to handle complex and abstract discourse. Daduwa town seems central linguistically.  Classification:Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tamangic  More information.
Gurung, Western	[gvr] 125,000 in Nepal (2007). Population total all countries: 201,300. Ethnic population: 543,571. Gandaki zone, Kaski, Syangja districts; Dhaulagiri zone, Parbat District. Possibly in Myanmar. Also in Bhutan, India. Alternate names: Gurung, Tamu Kyi.  Dialects: Southern Gurung (Syangja Gurung), Northwestern Gurung (Kaski Gurung). Dialect speakers may have enough mutual inherent intelligibility to understand complex and abstract discourse, but not enough with Eastern Gurung [ggn]. Related to Thakali [ths].  Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tamangic  More information.
Helambu Sherpa	[scp] 7,570 (2000). Bagmati zone, Nuwakot and Sindhupalchok districts, Helambu area. Alternate names: Yholmo, Yohlmu Tam.  Dialects: Eastern Helambu Sherpa, Western Helambu Sherpa. Melamchi River divides dialects. Understand other dialects even for abstract and complex subjects, including possibly Tarke Ghyang, Khang-Kharka, Pahndang, but not Kagate [syw]. Lexical similarity: 66% with Dolpo [dre] and Walungge [ola], 65% with Lhasa Tibetan [bod], Jirel [jul], and Kyerung [kgy], 63% with Lowa [loy] and Sherpa [xsr], 61% with Nubri [kte], 60% with Lhomi [lhm].  Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tibetan, Central  More information.
Hindi	[hin] 106,000 in Nepal (2001 census). South strip of low country. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Western Hindi, Hindustani  More information.
Humla	[hut] 4,000 (2001 SIL). Seti zone, Bajura District; Karnali zone, Humla District, villages northwest from Simikot towards China border, villages slightly northeast of Simikot. Some in Kathmandu.Alternate names: Dangali, “Humla Bhotia” , Phoke.  Dialects: Limi, Upper Humla, La Yakba, Nyinba, Humli Khyampa. Dialects reportedly mutually intelligible.  Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Ti