Nepali language

Indo-Aryan Language

This article is about the modern Indo-Aryan language. For the language known as Nepal Bhasa, see Newar language.

Nepali

नेपाली

The word "Nepali" written in Devanagari script

Pronunciation| [ˈnepali]
Native to|

* Nepal
* Bhutan
* India

Region| Himalayas[a][1]
Ethnicity| Khas people

Native speakers

| L1: 19 million (2011–2021)[2]
L2: 14 million (2021 census)[2]
Total: 32 million[2]

Language family

Indo-European

* Indo-Iranian
* Indo-Aryan
* Northern Zone
* Eastern Pahari
* Nepali

Early forms

Proto-Indo-European

* Proto-Indo-Iranian
* Proto-Indo-Aryan
* Vedic Sanskrit
* Classical Sanskrit
* Prakrit
* Apabhraṃśa
* Khasa Prakrit

Writing system

* Devanagari
* Devanagari Braille

Signed forms

| Signed Nepali
Official status

Official language in

* Nepal
* India
* Sikkim
* West Bengal (additional)

Recognised minority
language in

Bhutan

Regulated by| Nepal Academy
Language codes
ISO 639-1| `ne`
ISO 639-2| `nep`
ISO 639-3| `nep` – inclusive code
Individual code:
`npi` – Nepali

Linguist List

| `nep` Nepali (macrolanguage)
| `npi` Nepali (individual language)
Glottolog| `nepa1254`
Linguasphere| `59-AAF-d`

Map showing distribution of Nepali speakers in South Asia. Dark red is areas with a Nepali-speaking majority or plurality, light red is where Nepali speakers are more than 20% of the population

Nepali (English: /nɪˈpɔːli/;[3] Devanagari: नेपाली, [ˈnepali]) is an Indo-Aryan language native to the Himalayas region of South Asia. It is the official, and most widely spoken, language of Nepal, where it also serves as a lingua franca. Nepali has official status in the Indian state of Sikkim and in the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration of West Bengal. It is spoken by about a quarter of Bhutan's population. Nepali also has a significant number of speakers in the states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Uttarakhand.[4] In Myanmar it is spoken by the Burmese Gurkhas. The Nepali diaspora in the Middle East, Brunei, Australia and worldwide also use the language.[5] Nepali is spoken by approximately 19 million native speakers and another 14 million as a second language.

Nepali is commonly classified within the Eastern Pahari group of the Northern zone of Indo-Aryan. The language originated from the Sinja Valley, Karnali Province then the capital city of the Khasa Kingdom around the 10th and 14th centuries. It developed proximity to a number of Indo-Aryan languages, most significantly to other Pahari languages. Nepali was originally spoken by the Khas people, an Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group native to the Himalayan region of South Asia. The earliest inscription in the Nepali language is believed to be an inscription in Dullu, Dailekh District which was written around the reign of King Bhupal Damupal around the year 981. The institutionalisation of the Nepali language arose during the rule of the Kingdom of Gorkha (later became known as the Kingdom of Nepal) in the 16th century. Over the centuries, different dialects of the Nepali language with distinct influences from Sanskrit, Maithili, Hindi, and Bengali are believed to have emerged across different regions of the current-day Nepal and Uttarakhand, making Nepali the lingua franca.

Nepali is a highly fusional language with a relatively free word order, although the dominant arrangement is subject–object–verb word order (SOV). There are three major levels or gradations of honorific: low, medium and high. Low honorific is used where no respect is due, medium honorific is used to signify equal status or neutrality, and high honorific signifies respect. Like all modern Indo-Aryan languages, Nepali grammar has syncretised heavily, losing much of the complex declensional system present in the older languages. Nepali developed significant literature within a short period of a hundred years in the 19th century. Around 1830, several Nepali poets wrote on themes from the Sanskrit epics Ramayana and the Bhagavata Purana, which was followed by Bhanubhakta Acharya translating the Ramayana in Nepali which received "great popularity for the colloquial flavour of its language, its religious sincerity, and its realistic natural descriptions".[6]

## Etymology

[edit]

See also: Name of Nepal

A map showing languages of the Indian subcontinent c. 1858; It refers to the language as "Nepalee".

The term Nepali derived from Nepal was officially adopted by the Government of Nepal in 1933, when Gorkha Bhasa Prakashini Samiti (Gorkha Language Publishing Committee), a government institution established in 1913 (B.S. 1970) for advancement of Gorkha Bhasa, renamed itself as Nepali Bhasa Prakashini Samiti (Nepali Language Publishing Committee) in 1933 (B.S. 1990), which is currently known as Sajha Prakashan.[7] Conversely, the term Gorkhali in the former national anthem entitled "Shriman Gambhir" was changed to Nepali in 1951.[8] However, the term Nepali was used before the official adoption notably by Jaya Prithvi Bahadur Singh, now considered one of the national heroes of Nepal, who advocated for the embracement of the term.[9]

The initial name of Nepali language was "Khas Kura" (खस कुरा), meaning language or speech of the Khas people, who are descended from the ancient Khasas of Mahabharata, as the language developed during the rule of the Khasa Kingdom in the western Nepal.[10][11] Following the Unification of Nepal led by Shah dynasty's Prithvi Narayan Shah, Nepali language became known as Gorakhā Bhāṣā (गोरखा भाषा; language of the Gorkhas) as it was spoken by Gorkhas.[12][13] The people living in the Pahad or the hilly region, where it does not generally contain snow, called the language Parvate Kurā (पर्वते कुरा), meaning the speech of the hills.[14][15]

## History

[edit]

### Origin and development

[edit]

See also: Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhraṃśa, Khasa Prakrit language, and Dardic languages

A simplified overview of the Indo-Aryan language family.

Early forms of present-day Nepali developed from the Middle Indo-Aryan apabhraṃśa Vernaculars of present-day western Nepal in the 10th–14th centuries, during the times of the Khasa Kingdom.[16] The language evolved from Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Apabhraṃśa.[16] Following the decline of the Khasa Kingdom, it was divided into Baise Rajya (22 principalities) in Karnali-Bheri region and Chaubise rajya (24 principalities) in Gandaki region.[16] The currently popular variant of Nepali is believed to have originated around 500 years ago with the mass migration of a branch of Khas people from the Karnali-Bheri-Seti eastward to settle in lower valleys of the Karnali and the Gandaki basin.[17][16]

During the times of Sena dynasty, who ruled a vast area in Terai and central hills of Nepal, Nepali language became influenced by the Indian languages including Awadhi, Bhojpuri, Braj Bhasha and Maithili.[16] Nepali speakers and Senas had a close connect, subsequently, the language became the lingua franca in the area.[16] As a result, the grammar became simplified, vocabulary was expanded, and its phonology was softened, after it was syncretised, Nepali lost much of the complex declensional system present in the older languages.[16] In the Kathmandu Valley (then known as Nepal Mandala), Nepali language inscriptions can be seen during the reigns of Lakshmi Narasimha Malla and Pratap Malla, which indicates the significant increment of Nepali speakers in Kathmandu Valley.[18]

### Middle Nepali

[edit]

Copper Inscription by King of Doti, Raika Mandhata Shahi, at Saka Era 1612 (1747 BS) in old Nepali language using Devanagari script

The institutionalisation of the Nepali language is believed to have started with the Shah kings of Gorkha Kingdom, in the modern day Gorkha District of Nepal.[19] Following the Unification of Nepal, the language moved to the court of the Kingdom of Nepal in the 18th century, where it became the state language.[19] One of the earliest works in the Middile Nepali is written during the reign of Ram Shah, King of Gorkha, a book by unknown writer called Ram Shah ko Jivani (A Biography of Ram Shah).[19] Prithvi Narayan Shah's Divyopadesh, written toward the end of his life, around 1774–75, contains old Nepali dialect of the era, is considered as the first work of essay of Nepali literature.[20]

Manuscript of Bhanubhakta Acharya's Bhanubhakta Ramayana led to "cultural, emotional and linguistic unification" of Nepal.

During this time Nepali developed a standardised prose in the Lal mohar (royal charter)—documents related to the Nepalese Kingdom dealing with diplomatic writings, tax, and administrative records.[19] The language of the Lal mohar is nearly modern with some minor differences in grammar and with a pre-modern orthography.[21] Few changes including changing Kari (करि) to Gari (गरि) and merging Hunu (हुनु) with cha (छ) to create huncha (हुन्छ) were done.[21] The most prominent work written during this time was Bhanubhakta Acharya's Bhanubhakta Ramayana, a translation of the epic Ramayana from Sanskrit to Nepali for the first time.[22] Acharya's work led to which some describe as "cultural, emotional and linguistic unification" of Nepal, comparatively to Prithvi Narayan Shah who unified Nepal.[23][24]

### Modern Nepali

[edit]

See also: Nepali Language Movement

The modern period of Nepali begins in the early 20th century.[6] During this time the ruling Rana dynasty made various attempts to make Nepali the language of education, notably, by Dev Shumsher and Chandra Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana, who established Gorkhapatra, and the Gorkha Bhasa Prakashini Samiti respectively.[25][7] At this time, Nepali had limited literature compared to Hindi and Bengali languages, a movement notably in Banaras, and Darjeeling was started to create uniformed Nepali identity, which was later adopted in Nepal following the 1951 Nepalese revolution and during the Panchayat system.[25] In 1957, Royal Nepal Academy was established with the objectives of developing and promoting Nepali literature, culture, art and science.[26] During Panchayat, Nepal adopted a "One King, One Dress, One Language, One Nation" ideology, which promoted Nepali language as basis for Nepali nationalism, this time is considered to be a Golden Age for the language.[27][28]

In West Bengal, Nepali language was recognised by West Bengal Government in 1961 as the official language for the Darjeeling district, and Kalimpong and Kurseong.[29] The Nepali Language Movement took place in India around 1980s to include Nepali language in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India.[30] In 1977, Nepali was officially accepted by Sahitya Academy, an organisation dedicated to the promotion of Indian literature.[31] After Sikkim was annexed by India, the Sikkim Official Languages Act, 1977, made Nepali as one of the official languages of state.[32] On 20 August 1992, the Lok Sabha passed a motion to add the Nepali language to the Eighth Schedule.[33]

## Official status

[edit]

Nepali written in the Devanagari script is the official language of Nepal.[34][35]

On 31 August 1992, Nepali was added to the list of scheduled languages of India.[36] Nepali is the official language of the state of Sikkim and of Gorkhaland, West Bengal.

Despite being spoken by about a quarter of the population,[37] Nepalese has no official status in Bhutan.[38]

## Geographic distribution

[edit]

### Nepal

[edit]

Geographic distribution of the Nepali language as their mother tongue in the Indian subcontinent.

According to the 2011 national census, 44.6% of the population of Nepal speaks Nepali as its first language.[39] and 32.8% speak Nepali as a second language.[40] Ethnologue reports 12,300,000 speakers within Nepal (from the 2011 census).[40] It is spoken by 20,250,952, about 77.20% of the population, as their first language and second language.[41]

### India

[edit]

Total number of Nepali speakers in India by state (2011 census)[42]

West Bengal (36%)

Assam (20%)

Sikkim (12%)

Rest of Northeast India (8%)

UP and Uttarakhand (12%)

Other states (12%)

According to the 2011 census of India, there were a total of 2,926,168 Nepali language speakers in India.[43]

Nepali speakers in India by state[44][45] State | Nepali speakers (2011 census)

|

West Bengal | 1,155,375
Assam | 596,210
Sikkim | 382,200
Uttarakhand | 106,399
Arunachal Pradesh | 95,317
Himachal Pradesh | 89,508
Maharashtra | 75,683
Manipur | 63,756
Meghalaya | 54,716
Nagaland | 43,481
Delhi National Capital Territory | 37,468
Gujarat | 25,142
Jammu and Kashmir | 22,138
Punjab | 22,061
Haryana | 19,914
Karnataka | 19,274
Uttar Pradesh | 18,743
Jharkhand | 16,956
Andhra Pradesh | 11,551
Mizoram | 8,994
Madhya Pradesh | 8,724
Odisha | 8,654
Rajasthan | 7,636
Tamil Nadu | 7,575
Chandigarh | 6,546
Bihar | 5,727
Kerala | 3,665
Chhattisgarh | 3,431
Tripura | 2,787
Goa | 2,600
Daman and Diu | 1,401
Dadra and Nagar Haveli | 1,152
Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 949
Puducherry | 431
Lakshadweep | 4

### Bhutan

[edit]

In Bhutan, native Nepali speakers, known as Lhotshampa, are estimated at 35%[46] of the population. This number includes displaced Bhutanese refugees, with unofficial estimates of the ethnic Bhutanese refugee population as high as 30 to 40%, constituting a majority in the south (about 242,000 people).[47]

### Australia

[edit]

Nepali is the third-most spoken language in the Australian state of Tasmania, where it is spoken by 1.3% of its population,[48] and fifth-most spoken language in the Northern Territory, Australia, spoken by 1.3% of its population.[49] Nepali is the most spoken language other than English in Rockdale and Kogarah. In Granville, Campsie and Ashfield it is the second most commonly spoken language other than English. Allawah and Hurstville have third most Nepali speaking population in New South Wales. There are regular Nepali language News papers and Magazines in Australia.

### International

[edit]

International geographic distribution  Country  | Speaker population  | Notes

|
|

Myanmar | 300,000-500,000[50] |
Australia | 133,068[51] | 2021 census
Hong Kong | 25,472[52] | 2016 census
Canada | 13,375[53] | 2016 census
Finland | 7,234[54] | 2023 statistics

## Phonology

[edit]

Main article: Nepali phonology

Vowels and consonants are outlined in the tables below.

### Vowels

[edit]

Nepali vowel phonemes  | Front | Central | Back

|
|
|

Close | i ĩ |  | u ũ
Close-mid | e ẽ |  | o
Open-mid |  |  | ʌ ʌ̃
Open |  | a ã |

Nepali distinguishes six oral vowels and five nasal vowels. /o/ does not have a phonemic nasal counterpart, although it is often in free variation with [õ].

Nepali has ten diphthongs: /ui̯/, /iu̯/, /ei̯/, /eu̯/, /oi̯/, /ou̯/, /ʌi̯/, /ʌu̯/, /ai̯/, and /au̯/.

### Consonants

[edit]

Nepali consonant phonemes  | Bilabial | Dental | Alveolar | Retroflex | Palatal | Velar | Glottal

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Nasal | m ⟨म⟩ |  | n ⟨न/ञ⟩ | (ɳ ⟨ण⟩)  |  | ŋ ⟨ङ⟩ |
Plosive/
Affricate | voiceless | unaspirated | p ⟨प⟩ | t ⟨त⟩ | t͡s ⟨च⟩ | ʈ ⟨ट⟩ |  | k ⟨क⟩ |
aspirated | pʰ ⟨फ⟩ | tʰ ⟨थ⟩ | t͡sʰ ⟨छ⟩ | ʈʰ ⟨ठ⟩ |  | kʰ ⟨ख⟩ |
voiced | unaspirated | b ⟨ब⟩ | d ⟨द⟩ | d͡z ⟨ज⟩ | ɖ ⟨ड⟩ |  | ɡ ⟨ग⟩ |
aspirated | bʱ ⟨भ⟩ | dʱ ⟨ध⟩ | d͡zʱ ⟨/झ⟩ | ɖʱ ⟨ढ⟩ |  | ɡʱ ⟨घ⟩ |
Fricative |  |  | s ⟨श/ष/स⟩ |  |  |  | ɦ ⟨ह⟩
Rhotic |  |  | r ⟨र⟩ |  |  |  |
Approximant | (w ⟨व⟩)  |  | l ⟨ल⟩ |  | (j ⟨य⟩)  |  |

[j] and [w] are nonsyllabic allophones of [i] and [u], respectively. Every consonant except [j], [w], and /ɦ/ has a geminate counterpart between vowels. /ɳ/ and /ʃ/ also exist in some loanwords such as /baɳ/ बाण "arrow" and /nareʃ/ नरेश "king", but these sounds are sometimes replaced with native Nepali phonemes. The murmured stops may lose their breathy-voice between vowels and word-finally. Non-geminate aspirated and murmured stops may also become fricatives, with /pʰ/ as [ɸ], /bʱ/ as [β], /kʰ/ as [x], and /ɡʱ/ as [ɣ]. Examples of this are /sʌpʰa/ 'clean' becoming [sʌɸa] and /ʌɡʱaɖi/ 'before' becoming [ʌɣaɽi].[55]

Typically, sounds transcribed with the retroflex symbols ⟨ʈ, ʈʰ, ɖ, ɖʱ, ɽ, ɳ, ɽ̃⟩ are not purely retroflex [ʈ, ʈʰ, ɖ, ɖʱ, ɽ, ɳ, ɽ̃] but apical postalveolar [t̠, t̠ʰ, d̠, d̠ʱ, ɾ̠, n̠, ɾ̠̃]. Some speakers may use purely retroflex sounds after /u/ and /a/, but other speakers use the apical articulation in all positions.[55]

Final schwas may or may not be preserved in speech. The following rules can be followed to figure out whether or not Nepali words retain the final schwa:

1. Schwa is retained if the final syllable is a conjunct consonant. अन्त (anta, 'end'), सम्बन्ध (sambandha, 'relation'), श्रेष्ठ (śreṣṭha, 'greatest'/a last name).
Exceptions: conjuncts such as ञ्च ञ्ज in मञ्च (mañc, 'stage') गञ्ज (gañj, 'city') and occasionally the last name पन्त (panta/pant).
2. For any verb form the final schwa is always retained unless the schwa-cancelling halanta is present. हुन्छ (huncha, 'it happens'), भएर (bhaera, 'in happening so; therefore'), गएछ (gaecha, 'he apparently went'), but छन् (chan, 'they are'), गईन् (gain, 'she went'). Meanings may change with the wrong orthography: गईन (gaina, 'she didn't go') vs गईन् (gain, 'she went').
3. Adverbs, onomatopoeia and postpositions usually maintain the schwa and if they don't, halanta is acquired: अब (aba 'now'), तिर (tira, 'towards'), आज (āja, 'today') सिम्सिम (simsim 'drizzle') vs झन् (jhan, 'more').
4. Few exceptional nouns retain the schwa such as: दु:ख (dukha, 'suffering'), सुख (sukha, 'pleasure').

Note: Schwas are often retained in music and poetry to add extra syllables when needed.

## Grammar

[edit]

Main article: Nepali grammar

Nepali is a highly fusional language with relatively free word order, although the dominant arrangement is SOV (subject–object–verb). There are three major levels or gradations of honorifics: low, medium and high. Low honorific is used where no respect is due, medium honorific is used to signify equal status or neutrality, and high honorific signifies respect. There is also a separate highest level honorific, which was used to refer to members of the royal family, and by the royals among themselves.[56] Like all modern Indo-Aryan languages, Nepali grammar has syncretised heavily, losing much of the complex declensional system present in the older languages. Instead, it relies heavily on periphrasis, a marginal verbal feature of older Indo-Aryan languages.[57]

## Writing system

[edit]

See also: Devanagari script

Nepali is generally written in Devanagari script. In certain regions, the Tibetan script was also used in regions with predominantly Tibetic population, with common Tibetan expressions and pronunciation.[58][59]

In the section below Nepali is represented in Latin transliteration using the IAST scheme and IPA. The chief features are: subscript dots for retroflex consonants; macrons for etymologically, contrastively long vowels; h denoting aspirated plosives. Tildes denote nasalised vowels.

Consonants

IPA: /kʌ/

IPA: /kʰʌ/, /xʌ/

IPA: /ɡʌ/

IPA: /ɡʱʌ/, /ɣʌ/

IPA: /ŋʌ/

IPA: /t͡sʌ/

IPA: /t͡sʰʌ/

IPA: /d͡zʌ/

IPA: /d͡zʱʌ/

IPA: /nʌ/

IPA: /ʈʌ/

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

IPA: /ʈʰʌ/

IPA: /ɖʌ/

IPA: /ɖʱʌ/

IPA: /nʌ/, /ɳʌ/

IPA: /tʌ/

IPA: /tʰʌ/

IPA: /dʌ/

IPA: /dʱʌ/

IPA: /nʌ/

IPA: /pʌ/

IPA: /pʰʌ/, /ɸʌ/

IPA: /bʌ/

IPA: /bʱʌ/, /βʌ/

IPA: /mʌ/

IPA: /jʌ/

IPA: /rʌ/

IPA: /lʌ/

IPA: /wʌ/

IPA: /sʌ/

IPA: /sʌ/, /kʰʌ/

IPA: /sʌ/

IPA: /ɦʌ/

Ligatures

क + ष

क्ष

IPA: /t͡sʰjʌ/, /ksʌ/

त + र

त्र

IPA: /trʌ/

ज + ञ

ज्ञ

IPA: /ɡjʌ/

|
|

Diacritics combined with the letter ब  Vowels  | Consonants

|

IPA: /ʌ/

IPA: /a/

IPA: /i/

IPA: /i/

IPA: /u/

IPA: /u/

IPA: /e/

IPA: /i̯/

IPA: /o/

IPA: /u̯/

IPA: /r̩/

IPA: /◌̃/

IPA: /ɦ/

IPA: /ʌ̃/

ब +◌ा

ब + ◌ि

ब + ◌ी

ब + ◌ु

ब + ◌ू

ब + ◌े

ब + ◌ै

ब + ◌ो

ब + ◌ौ

ब + ◌ृ

ब + ◌ं

ब + ः

ब + ◌ँ

## Literature

[edit]

Main article: Nepali literature

Bhanubhakta Acharya, Aadi Kavi in Nepali-language literature

Nepali developed significant literature within a short period of a hundred years in the 19th century. This literary explosion was fuelled by Adhyatma Ramayana; Sundarananda Bara (1833); Birsikka, an anonymous collection of folk tales; and a version of the ancient Indian epic Ramayana by Bhanubhakta Acharya (d. 1868). The contribution of trio-laureates Lekhnath Paudyal, Laxmi Prasad Devkota, and Balkrishna Sama took Nepali to the level of other world languages. The contribution of expatriate writers outside Nepal, especially in Darjeeling and Varanasi in India, is also notable.

## Dialects

[edit]

Dialects of Nepali include Acchami, Baitadeli, Bajhangi, Bajurali, Bheri, Dadeldhuri, Dailekhi, Darchulali, Darchuli, Gandakeli, Humli, Purbeli, and Soradi.[40] These dialects can be distinct from Standard Nepali. Mutual intelligibility between Baitadeli, Bajhangi, Bajurali (Bajura), Humli, and Acchami is low.[40] The dialect of Nepali language spoken in Karnali Province is not mutually intelligible with Standard Nepali. The language is known with its old name as Khas Bhasa in Karnali.[10]

## Sample text

[edit]

The following is a sample text in Nepali, of Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, with a transliteration (IAST) and transcription (IPA).[60]

Nepali in Devanagari Script
धारा १. सबै व्यक्तिहरू जन्मजात स्वतन्त्र हुन् ती सबैको समान अधिकार र महत्व छ। निजहरूमा विचार शक्ति र सद्विचार भएकोले निजहरूले आपसमा भातृत्वको भावनाबाट व्यवहार गर्नु पर्छ।

Transliteration (ISO)
Dhārā 1. Sabai vyaktiharū janmajāt svatantra hun tī sabaiko samān adhikār ra mahatva cha. Nijharūmā vicār śakti ra sadvicār bhaekole nijharūle āpasmā bhatṛtvako bhāvanabāṭa vyavahār garnu parcha.

Transcription (IPA)

[dʱaɾa ek sʌbʌi̯ bektiɦʌɾu d͡zʌnmʌd͡zat sotʌntɾʌ ɦun ti sʌbʌi̯ko sʌman ʌd(ʱ)ikaɾ rʌ mʌːtːo t͡sʰʌ nid͡zɦʌɾuma bit͡saɾ sʌkti ɾʌ sʌdbit͡sar bʱʌekole nid͡zɦʌɾule apʌsma bʱatɾitːoko bʱawʌnabaʈʌ bebaːr ɡʌɾnu pʌɾt͡sʰʌ]

Gloss (word-to-word)

Article 1. All human-beings from-birth independent are their all equal right and importance is. In themselves, intellect and conscience {endowed therefore} they {one another} brotherhood's spirit {treatment with} do must.

Translation (grammatical)

Article 1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

## See also

[edit]

* Nepal Sambat
* Nepali language movement

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Richard Burghart 1984, pp. 118–119.
2. ^ a b c Nepali at Ethnologue (27th ed., 2024)
Nepali at Ethnologue (27th ed., 2024)
3. ^ "Nepali | Definition of Nepali by Oxford Dictionary on Lexico.com also meaning of Nepali". Lexico Dictionaries | English. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
4. ^ "52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India" (PDF). nclm.nic.in. Ministry of Minority Affairs. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
5. ^ "Nepali language | Britannica". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 30 July 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
6. ^ a b "Nepali literature". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on 23 October 2022. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
7. ^ a b "साझा प्रकाशन एक झलक". Sajha Prakashan. Archived from the original on 30 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
8. ^ "The kings song". Himal Southasian. June 2003. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
9. ^ Vasistha, Kedar. "'गोर्खा पत्रिकाहरू'को पदचाप". Gorakhapatra Online. Archived from the original on 9 November 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021. जङ्गबहादुरलाई पनि घिसार्ने गरिएको पाइन्छ तर उनको पालामा गोर्खा भाषा वा नेपाली भाषा नभनी पाष्या बोली वा पर्वते भाषाको प्रचलन रहेको देखिन्छ । तर उक्त सनद जारी भएको एक वर्षपछिको जङ्गबहादुरको एक पत्रमा उनले गोर्खा वा गोर्खाली वा नेपाली भाषाका नमुना भनी नभनी पाष्या (पाखे) बोली भनेका छन् ।
10. ^ a b "5 features of Nepali, Nepal's lingua franca, that you are unaware of". Online Khabar. Online Khabar. 3 October 2020. Archived from the original on 30 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
11. ^ Jain & Cardona 2007, p. 543.
12. ^ Maharjan, Rajendra. "एकल राष्ट्र–राज्यको धङधङी". EKantipur. Kantipur Publication Limited. Archived from the original on 30 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.आजभन्दा करिब नौ दशकअघि मात्रै देशको नाम 'नेपाल' का रूपमा स्विकारिएको हो भने, पहिले खस–पर्वते–गोर्खाली भनिने भाषालाई 'नेपाली' नामकरण गरिएको हो ।
13. ^ Baniya, Karnabahadur. सेनकालीन पाल्पाको संस्कृति : एक ऐतिहासिक विवेचना. Palpa: Tribhuvan Multiple Campus. pp. 3–4. Archived from the original on 9 November 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
14. ^ Lienhard, Siegfried (1992). Songs of Nepal: An Anthology of Nevar Folksongs and Hymns. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidas. ISBN 81-208-0963-7. Page 3.
15. ^ Shrestha, Shiva Raj. Khaptad Region in Mythology (PDF). p. 10\. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 November 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
16. ^ a b c d e f g Bandhu, C.M. "The Role of the Nepali Language in Establishing The National Unity and Identity of Nepal" (PDF). Digital Himalaya. The Royal Nepal Academy. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
17. ^ Wagley, Namit (14 February 2015). "Nepal Ka Khas Jaati". SpotlightNepal. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
18. ^ Jain & Cardona 2007, p. 544.
19. ^ a b c d "शाह राजाहरूको छत्रछायामा नेपाली साहित्यको विकास" (PDF). Digital Himalaya (in Nepali). Ancient Nepal.
20. ^ "Divyopadesh can lead to national prosperity". The Annapurna Express. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
21. ^ a b Yanjan, Yash (1999). "8". भारतमा नेपाली भाषा र साहित्यको उत्थानमा पारसमणी प्रधानले गरेका योगदानको बिश्लेषणात्मक मुल्यांकन (Thesis) (in Nepali). University of North Bengal.
22. ^ "Nepali poet Bhanubhakta Acharya's 209th birth anniversary, a peek into the 'Adikavi's' life". ANI News. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
23. ^ Acharya, Madhu Raman (2002). Nepal Culture Shift!: Reinventing Culture in the Himalayan Kingdom. Adroit Publishers. p. 18\. ISBN 978-81-87392-26-2.
24. ^ Korhonen, Teppo; Ruotsala, Helena; Uusitalo, Eeva (2003). Making and Breaking of Borders: Ethnological Interpretations, Presentations, Representations. Finnish Literature Society. p. 172\. ISBN 978-951-746-467-3.
25. ^ a b Pradhan, Uma (3 December 2020). Simultaneous Identities: Language, Education, and Nationalism in Nepal: Language, Education, and Nationalism in Nepal. Cambridge University Press. pp. 40–60. ISBN 978-1-108-48992-8.
26. ^ Whelpton, John (17 February 2005). A History of Nepal. Cambridge University Press. pp. 160–170. ISBN 978-0-521-80470-7.
27. ^ "In Nepal, Calls Grow for the Restoration of a Hindu State". The Diplomat. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
28. ^ Gautam, Bhim Lal (27 March 2021). Language Contact in Nepal: A Study on Language Use and Attitudes. Springer Nature. pp. 30–40. ISBN 978-3-030-68810-3.
29. ^ Pradhan, Indramani (1997). Parasmani Pradhan. Sahitya Akademi. p. 12\. ISBN 978-81-260-0366-2.
30. ^ Reddy, Sunita; Guite, Nemthianngai; Subedi, Bamdev (19 February 2023). Ethnomedicine and Tribal Healing Practices in India: Challenges and Possibilities of Recognition and Integration. Springer Nature. pp. 150–155. ISBN 978-981-19-4286-0.
31. ^ Samanta, Amiya K. (2000). Gorkhaland Movement: A Study in Ethnic Separatism. APH Publishing. pp. 80–90. ISBN 978-81-7648-166-3.
32. ^ "The Sikkim Official Languages Act, 1977" (PDF). Government of Sikkim.
33. ^ "Struggle for Recognition of Nepali Language: A Brief Outline". Sikkim Express. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
34. ^ Yadav, Raj Narayan (2 December 2013). "Language Planning and Language Ideology: The Majority and Minority Dichotomy in Nepal". Tribhuvan University Journal. 28 (1–2): 197–202. doi:10.3126/tuj.v28i1-2.26242. ISSN 2091-0916.
35. ^ "The Constitution of Nepal" (PDF). Nepal Law Commission. 20 September 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 November 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
36. ^ "Nepali becomes one of the official languages of India". nepalilanguage.org. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
37. ^ Koirala, Keshav P. (6 February 2017). "Where in US, elsewhere Bhutanese refugees from Nepal resettled to". The Himalayan Times. Archived from the original on 14 December 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
38. ^ Eur (2002). Far East and Australasia 2003 – Regional surveys of the world (34 ed.). Psychology Press. pp. 181–183. ISBN 1-85743-133-2.
39. ^ "Major highlights" (PDF). Central Bureau of Statistics. 2013. p. 4\. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 July 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
40. ^ a b c d "Nepali (npi)". Ethnologue. Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
41. ^ "Language map of Nepal: Interactive (EN)". Translators without Borders. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
42. ^ "Darjeeling, India's Nepali language hub". Nepal In Data. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
43. ^ "Language – India, States And Union Territories (Table C-16)" (PDF). census.gov.in. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 October 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
44. ^ "Growth of Scheduled Languages-1971, 1981, 1991 and 2001". Census of India. Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Archived from the original on 20 February 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
45. ^ "Distribution of the 22 Scheduled Languages – India/ States/ Union Territories-2011 Census" (PDF). censusindia.gov.in. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 March 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2022.
46. ^ "Background Note: Bhutan". U.S. Department of State. 2 February 2010. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2010.
47. ^ Worden, Robert L.; Savada, Andrea Matles (1991). "Chapter 6: Bhutan - Ethnic Groups". Nepal and Bhutan: Country Studies (3rd ed.). Federal Research Division, United States Library of Congress. pp. 424. ISBN 978-0-8444-0777-7. Retrieved 2 October 2010.
48. ^ "Snapshot of Tasmania". Australian Bureau of Statistics. 28 June 2022. Archived from the original on 29 June 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
49. ^ "Snapshot Northern Territory, Housing and Population Census 2021". Australian Bureau of Statistics. 28 June 2022. Archived from the original on 21 July 2022. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
50. ^ "Emerging dynamics among Southeast Asia's Nepali diaspora". New Mandala. 24 September 2020. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
51. ^ "SBS Australian Census Explorer". SBS. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
52. ^ "Thamatic Report: Ethnic Minorities" (PDF). bycensus2016.gov.hk/data/16bc-ethnic-minorities.pdf. Census and Statistics Department of Hong Kong. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
53. ^ "Census Profile, 2016 Census - Canada [Country] and Canada [Country]". Government of Canada. 8 February 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
54. ^ "Language according to age and sex by region, 1990-2023". stat.fi. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
55. ^ a b Khatiwada, Rajesh (December 2009). "Nepali". Journal of the International Phonetic Association. 39 (3): 373–380. doi:10.1017/S0025100309990181. ISSN 0025-1003.
56. ^ Jain & Cardona 2007, p. 571.
57. ^ Jain & Cardona 2007, p. 596.
58. ^ Karmācārya, Mādhavalāla; Nepal German Project on High Mountain Archaeology, eds. (2001). Ten documents from Mustang in the Nepali language (1667-1975 A.D.). Results of the Nepal German Project on High Mountain Archaeology. Bonn: VGH Wissenschaftsverlag. ISBN 978-3-88280-061-6.
59. ^ "Nepali History". lisindia.ciil.org. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
60. ^ "Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Nepali language" (PDF). ohchr.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.

## Footnotes

[edit]

1. ^ Historically spoken just by the Karnali Khas people, now spoken as the lingua franca in Nepal.

## Bibliography

[edit]

* Richard Burghart (1984). "The Formation of the Concept of Nation-State in Nepal". The Journal of Asian Studies. 44 (1): 101–125. doi:10.2307/2056748. JSTOR 2056748. S2CID 154584368.
* Jain, Danesh; Cardona, George (26 July 2007). The Indo-Aryan Languages. Routledge. ISBN 9781135797119. Archived from the original on 15 January 2023. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
* Hodgson, Brian Houghton (2013). Essays on the Languages, Literature, and Religion of Nepál and Tibet (Reprint ed.). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781108056083. Archived from the original on 15 January 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2014.

## Further reading

[edit]

* पोखरेल, मा. प्र. (2000), ध्वनिविज्ञान र नेपाली भाषाको ध्वनि परिचय, नेपाल राजकीय प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठान, काठमाडौँ।
* Schmidt, R. L. (1993) A Practical Dictionary of Modern Nepali. Archived 26 January 2021 at the Wayback Machine
* Turner, R. L. (1931) A Comparative and Etymological Dictionary of the Nepali Language. Archived 13 September 2019 at the Wayback Machine
* Clements, G.N. & Khatiwada, R. (2007). "Phonetic realization of contrastively aspirated affricates in Nepali." In Proceedings of ICPhS XVI (Saarbrücken, 6–10 August 2007), 629- 632. [1] Archived 6 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine
* Hutt, M. & Subedi, A. (2003) Teach Yourself Nepali.
* Khatiwada, Rajesh (2009). "Nepali". Journal of the International Phonetic Association. 39 (3): 373–380. doi:10.1017/S0025100309990181.
* Manders, C. J. (2007) नेपाली व्याकरणमा आधार A Foundation in Nepali Grammar.
* Dashrath Kharel, "Nepali linguistics spoken in Darjeeling-Sikkim"

## External links

[edit]

Nepali edition of Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wikivoyage has a phrasebook for Nepali.

Look up Category:Nepali language in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

* List of Nepali words at Wiktionary, the free dictionary
* Omniglot – Nepali Language
* Barala – Easy Nepali Typing
* नेपाली बृहत् शब्दकोश | Nepali Brihat Shabdakosh (Comprehensive Nepali Dictionary) | "Nepal Academy"
* नेपाली बृहत् शब्दकोश | Nepali Brihat Shabdakosh – Nepali Dictionary "Nepali Brihat Shabdakosh Latest Edition"

Portals:

* India
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Nepali language

* Grammar
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* History
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Varieties|

| Dialects|

* Eastern Pahari
* Jumli Khas
* Doteli
* Palpa language

|

Forms|

* Signed Nepali
* Nepali Sign Language
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* Nepali manual alphabet

Language politics|

* Nepali language movement (Amendment)
* Nepal Bhasa movement
* Gorkhaland movement
* Literary movements (Aswikrit Sahitya Andolan
* Ralpha
* Srijanshil Arajakta
* Tesro Aayam)

Organizations|

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Arts|

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Related topics|

* Nepali Wikipedia
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* Category
* Media
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* v
* t
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Languages of Nepal

Official language|

* Nepali

* Nepal portal

Indigenous
languages|

| Sino-Tibetan|

| Kiranti|

* Bahing
* Bantawa
* Belhare
* Chamling
* Dumi
* Limbu
* Sampang
* Sunwar
* Thulung
* Vayu
* Waling
* Yakkha

|

Magaric|

* Bhujel
* Chepang
* Dura
* Kham
* Magar

Tamangic|

* Chantyal
* Gurung
* Manang
* Tamang

Tibetic|

* Jirel
* Kagate
* Kyirong
* Lepcha
* Mugomt
* Naapa
* Nubri
* Sherpa
* Sikkimese
* Yolmo

Other|

* Baram
* Dhimal
* Kaike
* Lepcha
* Newar
* Raji
* Raute
* Thangmi

Indo-Aryan|

* Angika
* Awadhi
* Bajjika
* Bhojpuri
* Danwar
* Doteli
* Hindi
* Jumli
* Maithili
* Majhi
* Marwari
* Rangpuri
* Tharu
* Kochila
* Urdu

Sign language|

* Ghandruk Sign Language
* Jhankot Sign Language
* Jumla Sign Language
* Maunabudhuk–Bodhe Sign Language
* Nepali Sign Language

Other|

* English
* Kusunda
* Kurukh
* Majhwar
* Mundari
* Santali

* v
* t
* e

Languages of Bhutan

Sino-Tibetan|

| Bodish|

| Tibetic|

* Dzongkha
* Ngalong
* Laya
* Brokkat
* Brokpa
* Chocangacakha
* Khams Tibetan
* Lakha
* Sikkimese

|

East Bodish|

* Bumthang
* Kheng
* Kurtöp
* Nupbikha
* Chali
* Dakpa
* Dzala
* Nyenkha

* Tshangla (Sharchop)

* Gurung
* Kiranti
* including Chamling
* Limbu
* Lepcha
* Newar
* Tamang

Unclassified|

* Gongduk
* Lhokpu
* 'Ole

Indo-Aryan|

* Nepali

Sign|

* Bhutanese Sign Language
* Nepali Sign Language

* v
* t
* e

Languages of India

Official
languages|

| Union-level|

* Hindi
* English

|

8th schedule to the
Constitution of India|

* Assamese
* Bengali
* Bodo
* Dogri
* Gujarati
* Hindi
* Kannada
* Kashmiri
* Konkani
* Maithili
* Malayalam
* Meitei (Manipuri)
* Marathi
* Nepali
* Odia
* Punjabi
* Sanskrit
* Santali
* Sindhi
* Tamil
* Telugu
* Urdu

State-level only|

* Angika
* Bhojpuri
* Chhattisgarhi
* Garo
* Gurung
* Ho
* Kamatapuri
* Kharia
* Khasi
* Khortha
* Kokborok
* Kurmali
* Kurukh
* Lepcha
* Limbu
* Magahi
* Magar
* Mizo
* Mundari
* Newari
* Rai
* Rajbangshi
* Sadri
* Sherpa
* Sikkimese
* Sunwar
* Tamang

Major
unofficial
languages|

| Over 1 million
speakers|

* Awadhi
* Bagheli
* Bagri
* Bajjika
* Bhili
* Bundeli
* Dhundhari
* Garhwali
* Gondi
* Harauti
* Haryanvi
* Kangri
* Khandeshi
* Kumaoni
* Lambadi
* Malvi
* Marwari
* Mewari
* Nimadi
* Rajasthani
* Surjapuri
* Tulu
* Wagdi
* Varhadi

|

100,000 – 1 million
speakers|

* Adi
* Angami
* Ao
* Badaga
* Dimasa
* Halbi
* Karbi
* Khotta
* Kodava
* Kolami
* Konyak
* Korku
* Koya
* Kui
* Kuvi
* Ladakhi
* Lotha
* Malto
* Mising
* Nishi
* Phom
* Rabha
* Sema
* Sora
* Tangkhul
* Thadou

* Linguistic history
* Classical
* Multilingualism
* Endangered
* Scheduled languages in states

* v
* t
* e

Languages of Northeast India

Arunachal
Pradesh|

| Sal|

* Deori
* Nocte
* Singpho
* Tangsa
* Tutsa
* Wancho

|

Tani|

* Adi
* Apatani
* Bori
* Gallong
* Nishi
* Tangam
* Yano

Other|

* Assamese
* Hajong
* Karbi
* Milang
* Nefamese
* Puimei

Assam|

| Indo-Aryan|

* Assamese‎
* Bengali
* Bishnupriya Manipuri
* Haflong Hindi
* Sylheti

|

Sino-Tibetan|

| Kuki-Chin|

* Amri
* Bawm
* Biate
* Chiru
* Gangte
* Hmar
* Hrangkhol
* Karbi
* Paite
* Ranglong
* Saihriem
* Sakachep
* Vaiphei

|

Sal|

* Barman
* Bodo
* Deori
* Dimasa
* Garo
* Kachari
* Koch
* Kokborok
* Moran
* Nocte
* Rabha
* Singpho
* Tangsa
* Tiwa
* Turung
* Tutsa
* Wancho

Tani|

* Adi
* Bangni-Tagin
* Bokar
* Hill Miri
* Mising
* Na
* Nishi

Zeme|

* Inpui
* Khoirao
* Maram
* Rongmei
* Zeme

Other|

* Hajong
* Meitei

Kra-Dai|

* Ahom
* Khamti
* Khamyang
* Tai Aiton
* Tai Phake

Manipur|

| Kuki-Chin|

| Northern|

* Anal
* Biate
* Chiru
* Chothe
* Gangte
* Hrangkhol
* Kom
* Lamkang
* Moyon
* Paite
* Purum
* Ralte
* Simte
* Thadou
* Vaiphei
* Zou

|

Other|

* Hmar
* Mizo
* Monsang
* Sakachep
* Sorbung
* Tarao

Zeme|

* Inpui
* Khoirao
* Maram
* Puimei
* Rongmei
* Zeme

Other|

* Chairel
* Maring
* Uipo
* Meitei
* Sopvoma
* Tangkhul

Meghalaya|

| Kuki-Chin|

* Amri
* Biate
* Gangte
* Karbi
* Khelma
* Mizo
* Vaiphei

|

Khasic|

* Khasi
* Lyngngam
* Pnar
* War

Other|

* Atong
* Garo
* Hajong
* Koch

Mizoram|

* Biate
* Falam
* Hakha Chin
* Hmar
* Khelma
* Kokborok
* Mara
* Mizo
* Nga La
* Ranglong
* Paite
* Ralte
* Tedim
* Zyphe

Nagaland|

| Sino-
Tibetan|

| Angami-
Pochuri|

* Angami
* Chokri
* Kuzhami
* Moyon
* Ntenyi
* Pochuri
* Rengma
* Sema
* Sopvoma

|

Ao|

* Ao
* Lotha
* Mongsen Ao
* Sangtam
* Wui
* Yimchungrü

Sal|

* Chang
* Dimasa
* Khiamniungan
* Konyak
* Nocte
* Phom
* Wancho

Zeme|

* Inpui
* Lamkang
* Mzieme
* Rongmei
* Zeme

Other|

* Chiru
* Chothe
* Khelma
* Makury
* Tangkhul

Other|

* Assamese
* Nagamese creole

Sikkim|

* Gurung
* Lepcha‎
* Limbu‎
* Magar
* Nepali
* Newar‎
* Sherpa
* Sikkimese
* Sunwar‎
* Tamang
* Yakkha
* Yolmo

Tripura|

| Indo-Aryan|

* Bengali
* Bishnupriya Manipuri
* Sylheti

|

Sino-Tibetan|

* Bawm
* Darlong
* Koch
* Kokborok
* Meitei
* Mizo
* Paite
* Ralte
* Ranglong
* Tangkhul
* Thadou
* Vaiphei
* Zeme

* v
* t
* e

Indo-Aryan languages

Dardic|

| Kashmiri|

* Kashmiri
* Kishtwari

|

Shina|

* Shina
* Brokskat
* Kundal Shahi
* Kalkoti
* Ushoji
* Palula
* Sawi

Pashayi|

* Pashayi

Kunar|

* Dameli
* Gawar-Bati
* Nangalami
* Shumashti
* Wotapuri-Katarqalai

Chitral|

* Kalasha
* Khowar

Hazara Division|

* Indus Kohistani
* Bateri
* Chilisso
* Gowro
* Kalami
* Tirahi
* Mankiyali

Northern|

| Eastern|

* Doteli
* Jumli
* Nepali

|

Central|

* Garhwali
* Kumaoni

Western|

* Dogri
* Kangri
* Bhadarwahi
* Churahi
* Bhateali
* Bilaspuri
* Chambeali
* Gaddi
* Pangwali
* Mandeali
* Mahasu Pahari
* Jaunsari
* Kullui
* Pahari Kinnauri
* Hinduri
* Sirmauri
* Sarazi

Northwestern|

| Punjabi|

| Eastern|

* Punjabi
* dialects
* Sansi

|

Lahnda|

* Hindko
* Inku
* Khetrani
* Pahari-Pothwari
* Saraiki

Sindhi|

* Jadgali
* Kholosi
* Kutchi
* Luwati
* Memoni
* Sindhi

Western|

| Gujarati|

* Aer
* Gujarati
* Lisan ud-Dawat
* Jandavra
* Koli
* Kachi
* Parkari
* Wadiyara
* Saurashtra
* Vaghri

|

Rajasthani|

* Bagri
* Goaria
* Loarki
* Gujari
* Dhundari
* Harauti
* Malvi
* Marwari
* Mewati
* Mewari
* Shekhawati
* Dhatki
* Od
* Nimadi

Bhil|

* Bhili
* Bhilali
* Chodri
* Dhodia–Kukna
* Dhanki
* Dubli
* Bauria
* Bhilori
* Mawchi
* Magari
* Palya Bareli
* Pauri Bareli
* Rathwi Bareli
* Pardhi
* Gamit
* Kalto
* Vasavi
* Wagdi
* Vaagri Booli

Others|

* Khandeshi
* Lambadi
* Dawoodi
* Domari
* Romani
* list of languages

Central|

| Western|

* Braj Bhasha
* Bundeli
* Haryanvi
* Hindustani
* Kauravi
* Hindi
* Hinglish/Urdish
* Urdu
* Deccani
* Judeo-Urdu
* Hyderabadi Urdu
* Rekhta
* Kannauji
* Sansi
* Sadhukkadi

|

Eastern|

* Awadhi
* Bagheli
* Chhattisgarhi
* Fiji Hindi

Others|

* Parya

Eastern|

| Bihari|

| Bhojpuric|

* Bhojpuri
* Caribbean Hindustani

|

Magahi|

* Magahi
* Khortha

Maithili|

* Maithili
* Angika
* Bajjika

Sadanic|

* Sadri
* Kurmali

Tharuic|

* Tharu
* Kochila
* Buksa
* Majhi
* Musasa

Others|

* Kumhali
* Kuswaric
* Bote-Darai
* Danwar

Gauda–
Kamarupa|

| Bengali|

* Bengali
* dialects
* Bishnupriya Manipuri
* Hajong
* Kharia Thar
* Kurmukar
* Mal Paharia
* Noakhailla
* Sylheti
* Tanchangya

|

Kamarupic|

* Assamese
* Kamrupi
* Goalpariya
* Rajbanshi (Nepal)
* Rangpuri
* Surjapuri

Chittagonian|

* Chittagonian
* Chakma
* Rohingya

Odia|

* Odia
* Sambalpuri
* Desia
* Bhatri
* Bodo Parja
* Reli
* Kupia

Halbic|

* Halbi
* Kamar
* Bhunjia
* Nahari

Southern|

| Marathi–
Konkani|

| Marathic|

* Marathi
* Varhadi
* Andh
* Berar Deccan
* Varli
* Phudagi
* Katkari
* Kadodi

|

Konkanic|

* Konkani
* Maharashtrian Konkani
* Canarese Konkani

Insular|

* Maldivian
* Sinhala

Old|

* Sanskrit
* Vedic
* Classical
* Mitanni superstrate

Middle|

| Early|

* Ashokan Prakrit
* Pāli
* Early Ardhamagadhi

|

Middle (Prakrit)|

* Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit
* Dramatic Prakrits
* Ardhamagadhi
* Magadhi
* Maharashtri
* Shauraseni
* Gāndhārī
* Paishachi

Late (Apabhraṃśa)|

* Abahattha
* Apabhraṃśa
* Elu
* Kamarupi
* Khasa Prakrit

Proto-
languages|

* Proto-Indo-Iranian
* Proto-Indo-Aryan

Unclassified|

* Badeshi (unknown further classification)
* Bazigar
* Chinali–Lahul
* Chinali
* Lahul Lohar
* Sheikhgal

Pidgins
and creoles|

* Andaman Creole Hindi
* Bombay Hindi
* Haflong Hindi
* Nagamese
* Nefamese
* Vedda

See also
Indo-Iranian languages
Nuristani languages
Iranian languages

* v
* t
* e

Darjeeling related topics

History and government|

* Darjeeling district
* History of Sikkim
* History of Bengal
* History of Nepal
* British Raj
* Gorkha National Liberation Front
* Gorkhaland
* Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council
* Darjeeling Municipality
* Darjeeling (Lok Sabha constituency)

Geography|

* Kangchenjunga
* Darjeeling Himalayan hill region
* Jore Pokhri Wildlife Sanctuary
* Katapahar
* Jalapahar
* Observatory Hill
* Sivalik Hills
* Tiger Hill
* Darjeeling Sadar
* Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary
* Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
* Manebhanjyang
* Phalut
* Sandakphu
* Rock Garden
* Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary
* Singalila National Park
* Demographics of Darjeeling
* Mahakal Temple
* Chowrasta (Darjeeling)

Education|

* University of North Bengal
* Mount Hermon School
* St. Joseph's School
* Loreto Convent
* St. Paul's School
* Goethals Memorial School
* Victoria Boys' School (Kurseong)
* Southfield (formerly Loreto) College
* Darjeeling Government College
* St. Joseph's College
* Himalayan Mountaineering Institute
* North Bengal Medical College and Hospital

Economy and Transport|

* Darjeeling tea
* Terrace fields
* Pattabong Tea Garden
* Happy Valley Tea Estate
* Tourism in India
* Economy of West Bengal
* Transport in Darjeeling
* Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
* Katihar–Siliguri line
* Bagdogra Airport
* Darjeeling Ropeway

Culture|

* Tamang
* Sherpa
* Rai
* Lepcha
* Bhutia
* Yolmo/Yamloo
* Miji/Damai
* Kamai
* Newar
* Limbu
* Gorkha
* Bengali
* Nepali
* Hinduism
* Buddhism
* Wai-wai
* Chhurpi
* Thukpa
* Momo
* Chhang
* Devil Dance
* Tendong Lho Rumfaat
* Maghe Sankranti
* Chotrul Duchen
* Tibetan Refugee Self Help Centre
* Ghum Monastery
* Bhutia Busty Monastery
* Mag-Dhog Yolmowa Monastery
* Peace Pagoda
* Mahakal Temple
* Chowrasta

Community development
blocks|

| Darjeeling Sadar subdivision|

* Darjeeling Pulbazar
* Jorebunglow Sukhiapokhri
* Rangli Rangliot

|

Kurseong subdivision|

* Kurseong

Siliguri subdivision|

* Matigara
* Naxalbari
* Phansidewa
* Kharibari

Mirik subdivision|

* Mirik

Vidhan Sabha constituencies|

* Kalimpong
* Darjeeling
* Kurseong
* Matigara-Naxalbari
* Siliguri
* Phansidewa

Template|

* Cities and towns in Darjeeling district

Categories|

* Darjeeling
* Cities and towns in Darjeeling district
* Himalayas
* Hill stations in India
* People from Darjeeling district
* Villages in Darjeeling district

Authority control databases

National|

* Germany
* United States
* France
* BnF data
* Japan
* Czech Republic
* Israel

Other|

* IdRef

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