Nar Phu

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A language of Nepal

ISO 639-3
npa
Alternate Names
Nar-Phu
Population

600 (2011 K. Hildebrandt). 200 Phu speakers, 400 Nar speakers.

Location

Gandaki Zone, Manang district, Nar valley north of Manang valley, Nar (Nargaon, Chhuprung) and Phu (Phugaon, Nartwe) villages.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, West Bodish, Gurung-Tamang, Gurungic
Dialects

Nar (Lower Nar, Nar-Mä), Phu (Nar-Tö, Upper Nar). Related to Chantyal [chx], Gurung, Manangba [nmm], Tamang and Thakali [ths]; in a dialect continuum with Manangba [nmm] and possibly intelligible with it.

Typology

SOV; postpositions; noun head initial; no noun classes or gender; content q-word in situ; 1 prefix, up to 2 suffixes; clause constituents primarily indicated by case-marking; tense and aspect; no passives or voice; tonal; 25 consonants, 8 simple vowels and 5 diphthongs

Language Use

If work is locally oriented, then Nar-Phu used; Tibetan [bod] is the liturgical language, but one can hear Nar-Phu in certain contexts during religious festivals. All ages. Many men are fluent in Tibetan [bod].

Language Development
Many men are literate in Classical Tibetan. Poetry. Dictionary.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Nar Phu
Writing
Unwritten.
Other Comments

See themselves as separate from Manangba and Gurung. Used as a secret language to confound Manangis and Gurungs who might otherwise understand their conversation (2002 M. Noonan). Buddhist.