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Ethnologue: Languages of the World
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Ethnologue > Web version > Country index > Asia > Nepal > Mugom

Mugom

A language of Nepal

ISO 639-3: muk

Population  6,500 in Nepal (2006 SIL). Population total all countries: 7,000.
Region  Karnali zone, Mugu, Jumla districts; some in Kathmandu. Also in India.
Language map  Western Nepal, reference number 67
Alternate names   Mugali, Mugu, Mugum
Dialects  Karani, Mugali. Intelligibility 89%–93% between dialect speakers (possibly even higher). Definitely sufficient to understand complex and abstract discourse. Similar to Humla [hut], Dolpo [dre], Lowa [loy]. Lexical similarity: 85% between dialects, 56%–57% with Tibetan [bod].
Classification  Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tibetan, Central
Language use  Less than 50 L2 speakers. Home, village, religion. All ages. Mugalis may not accept materials written in Karani. Mugom value Nepali and English as a way to higher education. Mugalis see themselves a little higher than Karanis. Mugalis are more influential as they travel and trade more. Also use Nepali [nep]. Some also use Hindi.
Language development  Literacy rate in L2: Up to 22% Nepali; men 30%, women 5%. Mugu District ranks very low in literacy among Nepal districts, especially among children and women. Strong affinity felt towards Tibetan [bod] and its writing system.
Writing system  Tibetan script.
Comments  Karanis want recognition as a separate ethnic group. Agriculturalists; pastoralists; traders. Buddhist, syncretism with traditional religion.

Also spoken in:

India

Language name   Mugom
Population  500 in India (2006). 100 families in India.
Region  Himachal Pradesh, Kullu, Manali; Kinnaur, Dharmshala, Ladakh.
Language use  Young people born in India still use their own language at home. All ages.
Comments  Migrate from Nepal temporarily for work, but many stay 20 to 30 years.