Danuwar

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A language of Nepal

ISO 639-3
dhw
Alternate Names
Danuwar Rai, Danwar, Denwar, Dhanvar, Dhanwar
Population

31,800 (2001 census), decreasing. No monolinguals (Toba, Toba, and Rai 2005). Ethnic population: 53,200.

Location

Narayani Zone, Sindhuli, Kabhrepalanchok, Sindhupalchok, Makwanpur, and Lalitpur districts.

Language Maps
Language Status

7 (Shifting). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C).

Classification
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Unclassified
Dialects

Bakultar Danuwar, Dukuchhap Danuwar, Judigaon Danuwar, Kamala Khonch Danuwar, Panchkhal Danuwar, Sindhuli Danuwar. Danuwar Kachariya in Rautahat and elsewhere is probably distinct from Danuwar [dhw]. The dialects spoken in Bakultar, Panchkhal, Judigaon (Kabhrepalanchok) district are mutually intelligible, whereas the dialects spoken in Dukuchhap (Lalitpur district) and Sindhuli are different.

Typology

SOV; postpositions; noun head final; 2 noun classes or genders; content q-word in situ; 1 prefix, up to 4 suffixes; clause constituents indicated by case-marking; verbal affixation marks person, number and gender of subject; ergativity; both tense and aspect; no passives and voice; nontonal; 29 consonant and 6 vowel phonemes

Language Use

Rapidly assimilating to Nepali [npi] (Van Driem 2007). Home, religion; mixed use: Friends, work. Older adults and elderly. Some use among children, adolescents, and young adults. Neutral attitudes. Also use Nepali [npi] and Eastern Tamang [taj] at work and with friends (in Kabhre district).

Language Development
Although some people are writing in Danuwari, no data is available on L1 literacy. Radio programs. Dictionary.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Danuwar
Writing
Devanagari script.
Other Comments

Hindu, Buddhist, Christian.