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Bhojpuri

A language of India

ISO 639-3: bho

Population	36,500,000 in India (2007). Population total all countries: 38,546,000.
Region	Uttar Pradesh, Gorakhpur, Basti, Deoria, Azamgarh, Ghazipur, Varanasi, Mirzapur, Ballia districts; Bihar, Champaran, Saran, Shahabad districts; Jharkhand, Palamau, Ranchi districts; Assam; Delhi; Madhya Pradesh; West Bengal. Also in Mauritius, Nepal.
Alternate names	Bajpuri, Bhojapuri, Bhozpuri, Bihari, Deswali, Khotla, Piscimas
Dialects	Northern Standard Bhojpuri (Gorakhpuri, Sarawaria, Basti), Western Standard Bhojpuri (Purbi, Benarsi), Southern Standard Bhojpuri (Kharwari), Bhojpuri Tharu, Madhesi, Domra, Musahari. May be more than 1 language. Extent of dialect variation in India and Nepal not yet determined. The cover term ‘Bihari’ (alternate name for Bhojpuri )(Behari) is also used for Bhojpuri, Maithili [mai], and Magahi [mag]. Bhojpuri Tharu dialect is spoken by Tharu caste in Nepal. Distinct from Chitwan and other Tharu [awa].
Classification	Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Eastern zone, Bihari
Language development	Literacy rate in L1: 5%–30%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%. Radio programs. NT: 1999–2006.
Writing system	Devanagari script. Kaithi script.
Comments	Agriculturalists. Hindu, Muslim, Christian.

Also spoken in:

Mauritius

Language name	Bhojpuri
Population	336,000 in Mauritius (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001).
Region	Urban and rural.
Dialects	Mauritian Bhojpuri, Bojpury.
Language use	Government and politics.
Comments	Although often called ‘Hindi’, the language is Bhojpuri. Hindu.

Nepal

Language name	Bhojpuri
Population	1,710,000 in Nepal (2001 census).
Region	Narayani zone, Rautahat, Bara, and Parsa districts; near India border, Lumbini zone, Nawalparasi District; Janakpur zone, Sarlahi District; Koshi zone, Morang District; Mechi zone, Jhapa District.
Language map	Western Nepal, reference number 9
Alternate names	Bajpuri, Bhojapuri, Bhozpuri
Dialects	Bhojpuri Tharu, Teli.
Language use	74,148 L2 speakers in Nepal (1991 census). Also use Hindi, Maithili [mai], Nepali [nep], or Awadhi [awa].
Language development	Literacy rate in L1: 5%–30%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%. 40% literate in Nepali, Hindi.
Comments	Hindu, Muslim, Christian.

Entries from the SIL Bibliography about this language:

Academic Publications

HALE, Austin, editor. 1973. Clause, sentence, and discourse patterns in selected languages of Nepal 1: General approach.  

HALE, Austin, editor. 1973. Clause, sentence, and discourse patterns in selected languages of Nepal 3: Texts.  

HALE, Austin, editor. 1973. Clause, sentence, and discourse patterns in selected languages of Nepal 4: Word lists.  

HALE, Austin; HUGONIOT, Richard D., authors. 1973. "Contra-expectancy particles in Tharu Bhojpuri."  

HALE, Austin; WATTERS, David E., editors. 1973. Clause, sentence, and discourse patterns in selected languages of Nepal 2: Clause.