Dungmali

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A language of Nepal

ISO 639-3
raa
Alternate Names
Arthare, Arthare-Khesang, Dungmali Pûk, Dungmali-Bantawa, Khesange
Population

220 (2001 census), decreasing. 150 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 10,000.

Location

Koshi Zone; east Bhojpur district, Thulo Dungma, Sano Dungma, and Bastim VDCs, east border is Arun river.

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
Dialects

Khesang (Khesange). 82% cognate with Bantawa [bap] but morphology and phonology differ (Winter 1991). Lexical similarity: 80% with Bantawa [bap], 65% with Puma [pum].

Typology

SOV; postpositions; noun head final; content q-word in situ; 1 prefix; clause constituents indicated by case-marking; verbal affixation marks person and gender; split ergativity; tense; no passives or voice; tonal; 18 consonant and 6 vowel phonemes

Language Use

Home, religion. Mixed use: Friends, work. Young adults and older. Some use among children and adolescents. Many also use Bantawa [bap].

Language Development
Poetry. Newspapers. Dictionary.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Dungmali
Other Comments

Local names which may not be dialects: Chhinamkhang, Chhichhangchha, Hangbang, Khandung, Pungwai, Roktulung, Tuncha, Waitpang. Traditional religion.