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Kulung

A language of Nepal

ISO 639-3: kle

Population	18,700 in Nepal (2001 census).
Region	Sagarmatha zone, Solu Khumbu District, east hills, Hongu Valley, Mahakulung region, Hongu Khola area, Bumng (Bung), Pilmu, Cheskam Sadhi, Gudel, and Namlu villages; Koshi zone, Sankhuwasawa District, Baliyamnang, Phedi Khola, Wasepla, Mangtewa, Yaphu, Chayeng, Walung, and Sheduwa villages; Terhathum, Panchthar, Ilam districts. Mainly found in drainages of Sangkhuwa and Siswa rivers, which flow into Arun River. Also in some Terai areas. Also in India.
Language map	Eastern Nepal, reference number 52
Alternate names	Kholung, Khulung, Khulunge Rai, Kulu Ring
Dialects	Sotang (Sotaring, Sottaring), Mahakulung, Tamachhang, Pidisoi, Chhapkoa, Pelmung, Namlung, Khambu. 100% intelligibility between Kulung and Sota Ring because only some words are pronounced differently. Related to Sampang [rav] and Nachering [ncd].
Classification	Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern
Language use	Most also use some Nepali [nep].
Language development	Literacy rate in L2: 10%–50% adults, 10% women. High motivation for literacy. Dictionary. Grammar.
Writing system	Devanagari script.
Comments	Exogamous clan marriage. The high number of Kulung reflect the tendency of smaller groups to consider themselves Kulung, but they are by origin not Kulung. The Kulung possibly absorb smaller groups. Case, ergative. Agriculturalists: millet, maize; hunters; fishermen. Traditional religion, Hindu, Buddhist.

Also spoken in:

India

Language name	Kulung
Region	Sikkim; West Bengal, Jalpaiguri District; Uttarakhand, Dehradun; Assam.
Alternate names	Kholung, Khulung, Khulunge Rai, Kulu Ring

Entries from the SIL Bibliography about this language:

Academic Publications

GLOVER, Warren W.; YADAVA, Yogendra P., editors. 1999. Topics in Nepalese linguistics.

HALE, Austin, editor. 1973. Collected papers on Khaling, Kulunge, Darai, Newari, Chitwan Tharu.

HOLZHAUSEN, Andreas, author. 1973. Phonological survey report of the Kulunge language.

HOLZHAUSEN, Andreas; HOLZHAUSEN, Anna; RAI, Krishna Prasad, compilers. 1975. Kulung-Nepali-English glossary.

HOLZHAUSEN, Anna, author. 1973. "Kulunge Rai clause types."

TOBA, Sueyoshi, author. 1992. Rites of passage: an aspect of Rai culture.