Jirel

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A language of Nepal

ISO 639-3
jul
Alternate Names
Jiri, Jirial, Ziral
Population

7,070 (2000), decreasing.

Location

Janakpur Zone, Dolakha district, Jiri (main area) and Sikri valleys, eastern hills; Chhyatrapa; Lumbini Zone, Nawalparasi district; Bagmati Zone, Sindhupalchok district; Narayani Zone, Parsa district.

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, Central Bodish, Central, gTsang
Dialects

Accent differences, but not real dialects. Some comprehension of Lhasa Tibetan [bod] and some Tibetan dialects. Grammatically similar to Sherpa [xsr]. Lexical similarity: 67% with Sherpa [xsr], 65% with Helambu Sherpa [scp], 62% with Dolpo [dre] and Loke [loy], 60% with Kyerung (Kyirong) [kgy], 57% with Nubri [kte], Lhomi [lhm], and Walungge [ola], 54% with Lhasa Tibetan [bod].

Typology

SOV; postpositions; genitives, demonstratives, adjectives before noun heads; numerals after noun heads; relatives before and without noun heads; content q-word in situ; polar question word final; maximum number of prefixes 1, maximum number of suffixes 4; clause constituents indicated by case-marking; affixes indicate case of noun phrases; ergative; causatives; no passives or voice; CV, CVC, V, VC; tonal

Language Use

Home, friends. Young adults and older. Some use among children and adolescents.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 25%–30% adults, 60% younger people (1991 census). People literate in Nepali [npi] can read Jirel. Dictionary. NT: 1992.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Jirel
Writing
Devanagari script.
Other Comments

Buddhist, traditional religion, Christian.