Nepali
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A language of Nepal
20,980,000 in Nepal, all users. 12,300,000 (2011 census), increasing. 143,000 Achhami, 273,000 Baitadeli, 67,600 Bajhangi, 10,700 Bajureli, 490 Dadeldhuri, 3,100 Dailekhi, 5,930 Darchuleli, and 11,800,000 Nepali (2011 census). 8,680,000 (2011 census). Total users in all countries: 24,052,600 (as L1: 15,372,600; as L2: 8,680,000).
East and adjacent south central regions.
1 (National). Statutory national language (1990, Interim Constitution, 2063, Article 5(2)).
Bajureli (Bajura, Bajurali), Soradi, Acchami, Darchuleli (Darchulali, Darjula), Humli, Bheri, Dailekhi, Gandakeli, Purbeli, Dadeldhuri, Baitadeli, Bajhangi. Reportedly similar to Dotyali [dty]. Dialects listed may be quite distinct from standard Nepali. Intelligibility is also low among Baitadeli, Bajhangi, Bajurali (Bajura), Humli, and Acchami. A member of macrolanguage Nepali [nep].
SOV; postpositions; noun head final; 11 noun classes or genders; no articles; content q-word in situ; 1 prefix, up to 5 suffixes; clause constituents indicated by case-marking (4 cases); verbal affixation marks person, number and gender of subject; split ergativity; both tense and aspect; passives and voice; causatives; non-tonal; 29 consonant and 11 vowel phonemes.
Hindu, Buddhist.