Byangsi

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A language of Nepal

ISO 639-3
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Alternate Names
Byangkho Lwo, Byanshi, Byansi, Byasi, Sauka, Shauka
Population

1,730 in Nepal (2001 census), decreasing. Almost no monolinguals (2002 UNESCO). Population total all countries: 4,560. Ethnic population: 2,100.

Location

Mahakali Zone, Darchula district, Byas valley. 9 villages. Also in India.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C).

Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, West Himalayish, Almora
Dialects

Byansi, Pang Sungkhu Boli, Rang, Sauka, Yerjungkhu Boli. Dialects of Byangs, Chaudangs and Darma valleys are unintelligible to each other (Sharma 1994). Those in Kuti (India) and Tinkar (Nepal) are closely related and quite different from those in other Byangsi villages. Tinkar variety differs from Byangsi, Chaudangsi [cdn], and Darmiya [drd] in forms of agreement affixes and basic vocabulary. Minor dialect differences correspond to geographical divisions (Sharma 2001).

Language Use

161 L2 speakers in Nepal (1991 census). Home, friends. Also use Nepali [npi], Hindi [hin], or Kumaoni [kfy].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 26% in Nepali [npi]. Dictionary. Grammar.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Byangsi
Writing
Devanagari script, recently developed.

Also spoken in:

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