Languages, Culture

Nepal has many ethnic groups and language groups are just as abundant. There are more than a hundred languages spoken in Nepal. The chief language of Nepal is Nepali, the other languages are spoken to a larger or lesser degree in specific areas of the country. Due to the extensive number of languages spoken in Nepal we will provide details on just a few after which we will present you with a list of Nepal's languages.

Nepali is classified as an Indo-Aryan Language and is spoken as a mother tongue by approximately half of Nepal’s population and as a second language by others. Other names for Nepali include Gorkhali/Gurkhali (“language of the Gurkhas”) as well as Parbatiya (“language of the mountains”). Nepali was originally known as Khaskura (“speech of the Khas”)an was spoken by rice farming Khas who settled in the Karnali Bheri basin. Today it is spoken throughout Nepal as well as in parts of Bhutan and India.

Bahing or Rumdali is classified as part of the Kiranti languages and is spoken by the Bahing people living in Okhaldhunga. This language has been described as complex and slight differences between words are often difficult for people of similar dialects to understand.

Maithili is one of the Indo-Aryan languages. Many view it as a dialect of Hindi and not a seperate language. It however received official language status in 2003 and is thus used in education etc.

Limbu, a Tibeto-Burman language, spoken by the Limbu ethnic group. Limbus call themselves yakthung and the Limbu language Yakthung Pan. Most Limbus can also speak Nepali fluently.

Alphabetical list of languages spoken in Nepal, some of which may have several dialects:

Angika
Athpariya
Awadhi
Bagheli
Bahing
Bantawa
Baraamu
Belhariya
Bengali
Bhojpuri
Bodo
Bote-Majhi
Bujhyal
Byangsi
Camling
Chantyal
Chaudangsi
Chepang
Chhitange
Chhulung
Chukwa
Darai
Darmiya
Dhanwar
Dhimal
Dolpo
Dumi
Dungmali
Dzongkha
Ghale, Kutang
Ghale, Northern
Ghale, Southern
Gurung, Eastern
Gurung, Western
Helambu Sherpa
Hindi
Humla
Jerung
Jirel
Jumli
Kagate
Kaike
Kayort
Khaling
Kham, Gamale
Kham, Sheshi
Koi
Kulung
Kumauni
Kumhali
Kurmukar
Kurux, Nepali
Kyerung
Lambichhong
Lepcha
Lhomi
Limbu
Lingkhim
Lorung, Northern
Lorung, Southern
Lowa
Lumba-Yakkha
Magar, Eastern
Magar, Western
Maithili
Majhi
Manangba
Marwari
Meohang, Eastern
Meohang, Western
Mugom
Mundari
Musasa
Naaba
Nachering
Nar Phu
Nepalese Sign Language
Nepali
Newar
Nubri
Palpa
Parbate, Eastern
Parbate, Western
Phangduwali
Pongyong
Puma
Rajbanshi
Raji
Raute
Rawat
Saam
Sampang
Santali
Seke
Sherpa

Sonha
Sunhar
Tamang, Eastern
Tamang, Eastern Ghorka
Tamang, Northwestern
Tamang, Southwestern
Tamang, Western
Thakali
Thangmi
Tharu, Chitwania
Tharu, Dangaura
Tharu, Kathoriya
Tharu, Kochila
Tharu, Rana
Thudam
Thulung
Tibetan
Tichurong
Tilung
Tomyang
Tseku
Tsum
Walungge
Wambule
Wayu
Yakha
Yamphe
Yamphu

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