Mewahang, Western

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A language of Nepal

ISO 639-3
raf
Alternate Names
Mewahang, Newahang, Newahang Jimi, Newang, Newange Rai, Western Meohang
Population

230, all users. L1 users: 4,650 all Mewahang (2011 census). L2 users: 230 (2011 census). Few monolinguals.

Location

Kosi zone: Sankhuwasabha district, upper Arun valley, Bala, Sisuwa, Tamku, and Yamdang. Sankhuwasabha VDC, Bala village (Bala dialect); Sishuwakhola VDC (Bumdemba dialect).

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened). Language of recognized indigenous nationality: Rai.

Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Himalayan, Kiranti, Eastern
Dialects

Bala (Balali), Bumdemba. Structurally different from Eastern Mewahang [emg].

Typology

SOV; postpositions; 24 consonant and 14 vowel phonemes.

Language Use

The language is nearly extinct in the village of Tamku, the largest settlement in the area, where many ex-Gurkha pensioners live. Home; mixed use: Friends, religion, work. Some young people, all adults. Positive attitudes. Also use Kulung [kle], Lohorung [lbr], Nepali [npi].

Language Development

Literature. Dictionary. Texts.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Mewahang, Western
Writing

Devanagari script [Deva].

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Hindu.

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