Puma

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A language of Nepal

ISO 639-3
pum
Alternate Names
Puma Kala, Puma La, Puma Pima
Population

5,000 (2008 CPDP), decreasing.

Location

Sagarmatha Zone, south Khotang district, Diplung, Chisapani, Devisthan, Mauwabote, and Pauwasera VDCs; Udayapur district, Beltar, and Saunechour VDCs; Ruwa Khola valley to Buwa Khola across the Dudh Koshi southward.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C), Rai nationality.

Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Himalayan, Kiranti, Eastern
Typology

SOV; postpositions; noun head final; content q-word in situ; clause constituents indicated by both case-marking and word order; verbal affixation marks person and number; ergativity; tense and aspect; no passive or voice, but antipassive is a remarkable feature; nontonal

Language Use

Adults use L2 as much as L1 (Toba, Toba, and Rai 2005). Home, religion, work; mixed use: Friends. Older adults and elderly. Some use among children, adolescents, and young adults. Positive attitudes, especially among younger generation. Almost all also use Nepali [npi], Bantawa [bap], or Chamling [rab].

Language Development
Poetry. Magazines. Films. Videos. Dictionary.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Puma
Writing
Devanagari script.
Other Comments

Traditional religion, Hindu, Christian.