Nepali

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A language of Nepal

ISO 639-3
npi
Alternate Names
Eastern Pahadi, Gorkhali, Gurkhali, Khaskura, Nepalese, Parbate
Population

11,100,000 in Nepal (2001 census), increasing. Population total all countries: 14,160,100.

Location

East and adjacent south central regions. Also in Bhutan, Brunei, India, United States.

Language Maps
Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1990, Interim Constitution, 2063, Article 5(2)).

Classification
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northern zone, Eastern Pahari
Dialects

Acchami, Baitadeli (Baitadi), Bajhangi, Bajurali (Bajura), Bheri, Dailekhi, Darchulali (Darjula), Darchuli (Darjula), Gandakeli, Humli, Purbeli, Soradi. Similar to Dotyali [dty]. Dialects listed may be quite distinct from standard Nepali. Intelligibility is also low among Baitadeli, Bajhangi, Bajurali (Bajura), Humli, and Acchami.

Typology

SOV; postpositions; noun head final; 11 noun classes or genders; content q-word in situ; 1 prefix, up to 5 suffixes; clause constituents indicated by case-marking; verbal affixation marks person, number and gender of subject; split ergativity; both tense and aspect; passives and voice; nontonal; 29 consonant and 11 vowel phonemes

Language Use

All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes.

Language Development
Taught at all levels of education. Fully developed. Bible: 1914–2004.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Nepali
Writing
Braille script. Devanagari script, primary usage.
Other Comments

Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Christian.

Also spoken in:

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