Western Tamang Dictionary

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% of the population identifying as Tamang speakers. It is part of the Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family. The majority of Tamang speakers reside around the Kathmandu Valley, though the Tamang ethnic group is spread across various districts in Nepal. Recognizing the unique cultural attributes of the Tamang, the Nepal government officially recognized them as an indigenous ethnic community in 2058 VS. Furthermore, the interim constitution of 2063 VS and the constitution of 2072 VS have highlighted Tamang as a national language.

The 'Do:ra song' narrates the migration of Western Tamang people from Tibet into Nepal through 'Same' in the Himalayas. This song also references other Tamang settlements such as 'Rhirhap', 'Gyagarden', 'Bompo', and 'Lambu'. According to local traditions, these areas are oriented such that the 'tail' of the Earth points north and the 'head' points south. This belief influences Tamang burial practices, where the deceased are taken upwards, with their heads facing south before cremation. In Tamang cosmology, 'Sa' represents the Earth and 'me' the Tail, hence 'Same' symbolizes 'the tail of the Earth'. This cultural narrative suggests a significant transition from the 'tail' to the 'head' of the Earth.

Despite lacking a formal grammar, Tamang is divided into two main dialects: Eastern and Western Tamang. The Eastern dialect, originating from the Langtang Himal area east of the Trisuli River, is known as 'Syarba'. In contrast, the Western dialect, spoken in districts such as Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Lamjung, Chitawan, and Kanchanpur, is referred to 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 Tamang words into Nepali, making it a valuable resource for those interested in comparative linguistic studies. However, the number of Western Tamang speakers is declining due to the pervasive influence of Nepali, the dominant lingua franca. This shift poses a significant threat to the survival of Western Tamang as a mother tongue. Consequently, this dictionary plays a crucial role in the preservation, promotion, and development of the Western Tamang language.

Continuous improvement is essential for this dictionary. The Western Tamang speech community, stakeholders, readers, organizations, and other interested parties are encouraged to provide feedback and suggestions to enhance its quality and utility.

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Last updated on Sep 29, 2024

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