Lhomi

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A language of Nepal

ISO 639-3
lhm
Alternate Names
“Bho Te bhasha” (pej.), “Kar Bhote” (pej.), “Kath Bhote” (pej.), Lhoket
Population

5,660 in Nepal (2002 SIL), increasing. Population total all countries: 7,980. Ethnic population: 15,000.

Location

Koshi Zone, north Sankhuwasabha district to the border, Chepuwa VDC, Chepuwa, Chyamtang, Gumba, Chhumusur, and Rukuma villages; Hatiya VDC, Hatiya, Hungung, Pharang, Syaksila, Simbung, Namase, and Shiprung villages; southernmost village is Seksum in Arun valley; some in Kathmandu. Also in China, India.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing). 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

Lexical similarity: 69% with Dolpo [dre], 68% with Loke [loy], 66% with Walungge [ola], 65% with Lhasa Tibetan [bod] and Kyerung (Kyirong) [kgy], 64% with Nubri [kte], 60% with Helambu Sherpa [scp], 58% with Sherpa [xsr], 57% with Jirel [jul].

Typology

SOV; postpositions; noun head initial; masculine and feminine (limited class); content q-word precedes the main verb; 1 prefix, up to 3 suffixes; clause constituents indicated by case-marking; split ergativity; aspect; no passives or voice; tonal (tense-lax); 23 consonant and 8 vowel phonemes; evidentiality is a salient feature of Lhomi syntax

Language Use

Vigorous. Home, friends, religion; mixed use: Work. All ages. Positive attitudes. 90% of men have trade level Nepali [npi]; women increasily use Nepali and educated Lhomis are fluent; some also fluent in Tibetan [bod].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 25%. Literacy rate in L2: 30%. Bilingual literacy campaign should impact adult (and women’s) literacy rate in Lhomi and Nepali [npi]. Poetry. Newspapers. New media. Videos. NT: 1995.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Lhomi
Writing
Devanagari script.
Other Comments

Traditional religion, Buddhist (Lamaist), Christian.

Also spoken in:

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