Western Tamang - Nepali Dictionary
Tamang is a language spoken by the Tamang speech community. According to the 2011 Census of Nepal, Tamang ranks as the 5th most spoken language in the country, with 5.1 percent of the population. It is part of the Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family. The majority of Tamang speakers live around the Kathmandu Valley, though the Tamang ethnic group is also spread across various districts throughout Nepal. In 2058 VS, the Nepal government recognized the Tamang as an indigenous ethnic community, highlighting their distinct cultural and linguistic identity. This recognition has been further solidified in the interim constitution of 2063 VS and the current constitution of 2072 VS, which have prioritized Tamang as a national language.
The 'Do:ra song' narrates the migration of Western Tamang people from Tibet into Nepal, entering through 'Same' in the Himalayas. This migration has led to the establishment of Tamang communities in various locations such as 'Rhirhap', 'Gyagarden', below 'Bompo' and 'Lambu', and just above 'Same'. According to cultural beliefs articulated by Lama, Bompo, and Lambu, the Earth's tail is considered to be in the north and its head in the south. This belief influences the Tamang funeral practice, where the deceased is taken upwards, and the head of the body is positioned towards the south before cremation. In Tamang culture, 'Sa' represents the Earth and 'me' the Tail, thus 'Same' is interpreted as 'the tail of the Earth'. This migration and cultural belief signify a transition from the Earth's tail to its head.
Despite lacking its own standardized grammar, Tamang is divided into two main dialects: Eastern and Western. The Eastern Tamang dialect, originating from the Langtang Himal region east of the Trisuli River, is referred to as 'Syarba'. In contrast, the Western Tamang dialect, spoken in districts such as Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Lamjung, Chitawan, and Kanchanpur, is known as 'Nhurba' or 'Nhuppa'.
This bilingual dictionary is the result of collaborative efforts by members of the Western Tamang speech community from the aforementioned districts. It translates Western Tamang words into Nepali, serving as a valuable resource for comparative linguistic studies. However, the number of Western Tamang speakers is declining, with many shifting to Nepali, the dominant lingua franca. This shift poses a significant threat to the survival of Western Tamang as a mother tongue. Therefore, this dictionary plays a crucial role in the preservation, promotion, and development of the Western Tamang language.
Lastly, there is ample opportunity to enhance, advance, and mature this dictionary further. The Western Tamang speech community, along with stakeholders, readers, organizations, and other relevant authorities, are encouraged to provide insightful comments and feedback to aid in its improvement.
What's New in the Latest Version 1.7
Last updated on Sep 29, 2024
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