Languages of Nepal

The 2011 National census lists 123 Nepalese languages spoken as a mother tongue (first language) in Nepal. The discovery of six additional languages since then brings the count to 129.[2] Most belong to the Indo-Aryan and Sino-Tibetan language families. Nepali is the official language, but the other first languages are all recognized national languages.

Languages of Nepal
Official	Nepali (Gorkhali)[1]
Regional	Limbu  • Maithili  • Nepalbhasa  • Angika  • Tharu  • Majhi  • Doteli  • Baitadeli  • Gurung  • Bajjika  • Tamang  • Magar  • Sherpa  • Dzongkha  • Kiranti  • Sunuwar  • Rajbanshi  • Bhojpuri  • Awadhi  • Urdu
Signed	Nepali Sign Language  • Jhankot Sign Language  • Jumla Sign Language  • Ghandruk Sign Language

The official language of Nepal is Nepali, formerly called Khas-Kura, then Gorkhali. According to the 2011 national census, the percentage of Nepali speaking people is about 44.6%.[3] Maithili is the second most spoken language in Nepal at 11.67%.[4] Most of the languages in Nepal are endangered because out of the 129 languages, only 19 of them have more than 100,000 speakers. They are spoken by 95.91% of the total population.

The 2019 annual report of the Language Commission of Nepal registered the discovery that year of the six languages not previously counted. The report was submitted to President Bidhya Bhandari and has been officially approved to be put in the next census. The languages are Rana Tharu, Nar Phu, Chum (Syaar), Nubri (Larke), Poike and Serake (Seke). These languages are spoken in the districts of Kanchapur, Manang, Gorkha, Gorkha, Dolpa, and Mustang respectively.[5]

Most of the languages are found exclusively in oral form. Of the languages that are written, most are written using the Devanagari script, with few exceptions such as Limbu, which uses the Limbu script.[6]

According to the constitution of Nepal, "all languages spoken as the mother tongues in Nepal are the languages of the nation".[7] Many of the languages also have various dialects. For example, the Rai language has about 30 dialects. Sometimes the distinction between dialects or completely different languages is unclear and might differ in opinions from person to person.[8]

Classification

Nepal's languages are mostly either Indo-European or Sino-Tibetan, while only a very few of them are Austro-Asiatic and Dravidian.

Out of 123 languages of Nepal, the 48 Indo-European languages,which are of the Indo-Aryan (Indic) sub-family (excluding English), constitute the largest group in terms of the numeric strength of their speakers, nearly 82.1%[9] of population. Nepali,Bhojpuri, Maithili, Awadhi, Tharu languages, Urdu, etc. fall in this group.

The Sino-Tibetan family of Nepal's languages forms a part of its Tibeto-Burman group. Though spoken by relatively fewer people than the Indo-European family (17.3%[9] of population), it includes a greater number of languages, about 63 languages. Languages belonging to this group are Tamang, Nepal Bhasa (Newari), Magar, Limbu language etc.

The small declining number of Dravidian languages are represented by Kurux, and the Munda languages of the Austroasiatic family by Santali and Mundari.

The indigenous languages of Nepal that predated the influx of Indic, Tibeto-Burman, and other families barely survive in the Kusunda language, which is nearly extinct today.[10]

Nepal also has at several indigenous village sign languages: Jhankot Sign Language, Jumla Sign Language, and Ghandruk Sign Language, in addition to the Nepali Sign Language designed for national use.[11]

Number of speakers by language family
(2011 Census)

Language family	Number	Percentage
Indo-European	21,752,496	82.10%
Sino-Tibetan	4,584,871	17.31%
Austro-Asiastic	49,858	0.19%
Dravidian	33,651	0.13%
Others/Not reported	73,375	0.27%
Total	26,494,504	100%

Constitution

Part 1 of the Constitution of Nepal 2015 (2072 B.S.) contains these provisions about the languages of Nepal:[12]

• Article 6: All native languages spoken in Nepal are National languages of Nepal.
• Article 7a: Nepali language in Devanagari script is used for Nepal government work. (Indigenous languages also are to be written using Devanagari.)
• Article 7b: Beside Nepali language, the Provinces can choose one or more other languages spoken by majority population of that province for government work.

Languages in Nepal by numbers of speakers

Number of native speakers (2011 Census)[9]

Rank	Language	Language family	Count	Percentage
1	Nepali	Indo-European	11,826,953	44.64%
2	Maithili	Indo-European	3,092,530	11.67%
3	Bhojpuri	Indo-European	1,584,958	5.98%
4	Tharu	Indo-European	1,529,875	5.77%
5	Tamang	Sino-Tibetan	1,353,311	5.11%
6	Nepal Bhasa (Newari)	Sino-Tibetan	846,557	3.20%
7	Bajjika	Indo-European	793,416	2.99%
8	Magar	Sino-Tibetan	788,530	2.98%
9	Dotyali/Doteli	Indo-European	787,827	2.97%
10	Urdu	Indo-European	691,546	2.61%
11	Awadhi	Indo-European	501,752	1.89%
12	Limbu	Sino-Tibetan	343,603	1.30%
13	Gurung	Sino-Tibetan	325,622	1.23%
14	Baitadeli	Indo-European	272,524	1.03%
15	Rai	Sino-Tibetan	159,114	0.60%
16	Aachami	Indo-European	142,787	0.54%
17	Bantawa	Sino-Tibetan	132,583	0.50%
18	Rajbanshi	Indo-European	122,214	0.46%
19	Sherpa	Sino-Tibetan	114,830	0.43%
20	Chamling	Sino-Tibetan	76,800	0.29%
21	Bajhangi	Indo-European	67,581	0.26%
22	Santhali	Austro-Asiatic	49,858	0.19%
23	Chepang	Sino-Tibetan	48,476	0.18%
24	Danuwar	Indo-European	45,821	0.17%
25	Sunuwar	Sino-Tibetan	37,898	0.14%
26	Magahi	Indo-European	35,614	0.13%
27	Uranw/Kurux	Dravidian	33,651	0.13%
28	Kulung	Sino-Tibetan	33,170	0.13%
29	Kham (Magar)	Sino-Tibetan	27,113	0.10%
30	Rajasthani	Indo-European	25,394	0.10%
31	Majhi	Indo-European	24,422	0.09%
32	Thami	Sino-Tibetan	23,151	0.09%
33	Bhujel	Sino-Tibetan	21,715	0.08%
34	Bengali	Indo-European	21,061	0.08%
35	Thulung	Sino-Tibetan	20,659	0.08%
36	Yakkha	Sino-Tibetan	19,558	0.07%
37	Dhimal	Sino-Tibetan	19,300	0.07%
38	Tajpuriya	Indo-European	18,811	0.07%
39	Angika	Indo-European	18,555	0.07%
40	Sangpang	Sino-Tibetan	18,270	0.07%
41	Khaling	Sino-Tibetan	14,467	0.05%
42	Wambule	Sino-Tibetan	13,470	0.05%
43	Kumal	Indo-European	12,222	0.05%
44	Darai	Indo-European	11,677	0.04%
45	Bahing	Sino-Tibetan	11,658	0.04%
46	Bajureli	Indo-European	10,704	0.04%
47	Hyolmo	Sino-Tibetan	10,176	0.04%
48	Nachiring	Sino-Tibetan	10,041	0.04%
49	Yamphu	Sino-Tibetan	9,208	0.03%
50	Bote	Indo-European	8,766	0.03%
51	Ghale	Sino-Tibetan	8,092	0.03%
52	Dumi	Sino-Tibetan	7,638	0.03%
53	Lepcha	Sino-Tibetan	7,499	0.03%
54	Puma	Sino-Tibetan	6,686	0.03%
55	Dungmali	Sino-Tibetan	6,260	0.02%
56	Darchuleli	Indo-European	5,928	0.02%
57	Aathpariya	Sino-Tibetan	5,530	0.02%
58	Thakali	Sino-Tibetan	5,242	0.02%
59	Jirel	Sino-Tibetan	4,829	0.02%
60	Mewahang	Sino-Tibetan	4,650	0.02%
61	Sign Language	−	4,476	0.02%
62	Tibetan	Sino-Tibetan	4,445	0.02%
63	Meche	Sino-Tibetan	4,375	0.02%
64	Chhantyal	Sino-Tibetan	4,283	0.02%
65	Raji	Sino-Tibetan	3,758	0.01%
66	Lohorung	Sino-Tibetan	3,716	0.01%
67	Chhintang	Sino-Tibetan	3,712	0.01%
68	Gangai	Indo-European	3,612	0.01%
69	Pahari	Sino-Tibetan	3,458	0.01%
70	Dailekhi	Indo-European	3,102	0.01%
71	Lhopa	Sino-Tibetan	3,029	0.01%
72	Dura	Sino-Tibetan	2,156	0.01%
73	Koch	Sino-Tibetan	2,080	0.01%
74	Chiling	Sino-Tibetan	2,046	0.01%
75	English	Indo-European	2,045	0.01%
76	Jerung	Sino-Tibetan	1,763	0.01%
77	Khas	Indo-European	1,747	0.01%
78	Sanskrit	Indo-European	1,669	0.01%
79	Dolpali	Indo-European	1,667	0.01%
80	Hayu	Sino-Tibetan	1,520	0.01%
81	Tilung	Sino-Tibetan	1,424	0.01%
82	Koi	Sino-Tibetan	1,271	0.00%
83	Kisan	Indo-European	1,178	0.00%
84	Waling	Sino-Tibetan	1,169	0.00%
85	Musalban	Indo-European	1,075	0.00%
86	Hariyani/Haryanvi	Indo-European	889	0.00%
87	Jumli	Indo-European	851	0.00%
88	Lhomi	Sino-Tibetan	808	0.00%
89	Punjabi	Indo-European	808	0.00%
90	Belhare	Sino-Tibetan	599	0.00%
91	Oriya	Indo-European	584	0.00%
92	Sonaha	Indo-European	579	0.00%
93	Sindhi	Indo-European	518	0.00%
94	Dadeldhuri	Indo-European	488	0.00%
95	Byangshi	Sino-Tibetan	480	0.00%
96	Assamese	Indo-European	476	0.00%
97	Raute	Sino-Tibetan	461	0.00%
98	Saam	Sino-Tibetan	401	0.00%
99	Manange	Sino-Tibetan	392	0.00%
100	Dhuleli	Sino-Tibetan	347	0.00%
101	Phangduali	Sino-Tibetan	290	0.00%
102	Surel	Sino-Tibetan	287	0.00%
103	Malpande	Indo-European	247	0.00%
104	Chinese	Sino-Tibetan	242	0.00%
105	Khariya	Austro-Asiatic	238	0.00%
106	Kurmali	Indo-European	227	0.00%
107	Baram	Sino-Tibetan	155	0.00%
108	Lingkhim	Sino-Tibetan	129	0.00%
109	Sadhani	Indo-European	122	0.00%
110	Kagate	Sino-Tibetan	99	0.00%
111	Dzonkha	Sino-Tibetan	80	0.00%
112	Bankariya	Sino-Tibetan	69	0.00%
113	Kaike	Sino-Tibetan	50	0.00%
114	Gadhawali/Garhwali	Indo-European	38	0.00%
115	French	Indo-European	34	0.00%
116	Mizo	Sino-Tibetan	32	0.00%
117	Kuki	Sino-Tibetan	29	0.00%
118	Kusunda	Language Isolate	28	0.00%
119	Russian	Indo-European	17	0.00%
120	Spanish	Indo-European	16	0.00%
121	Nagamese	Sino-Tibetan	10	0.00%
122	Arabic	Afro-Asiatic	8	0.00%
−	Not reported	−	47,718	0.18%
−	Others	−	21,173	0.08%
Total			26,494,504	100%

Second language speakers (2011 Census)

Language	Count	Percentage
Nepali	8,682,499	32.77%
Maithili	195, 287	0.73%
Bhojpuri	159,518	0.60%
Tharu	84,748	0.32%
English	81,447	0.30%
Bajjika	60,863	0.23%
Urdu	45,766	0.17%
Awadhi	45,428	0.17%
Magar	42,952	0.16%
Tamang	33,450	0.12%
Nepal Bhasa (Newari)	32,594	0.12%
Sanskrit	2,975	0.01%
Others	190,327	0.72%
Total	10,883,804	"""41.04%"""

See also

• Ethnic groups in Nepal

Further reading

• Christoph Rzymski, Johann-Mattis List, & Natalia Morozova. (2019). lexibank/halenepal: Wordlists in Selected Languages of Nepal (Version v2.0) [Data set]. Zenodo. doi:10.5281/zenodo.3537629

References

1. According to Interim Constitution, Nepali is only the official language (article 5, point 2). Other languages spoken as the mother tongue in Nepal are national languages (article 5, point 1). According to article 5, point 3, all languages are accepted as official languages at the regional level. This part of the article is about native names and not about official language.Nepal_Interim_Constitution2007
2. Official Summary of Census (2011), Central Bureau of Statistics, Nepal Archived 2012-12-02 at the Wayback Machine
3. "Major highlights" (PDF). Central Bureau of Statistics. 2013. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 July 2013. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
4. Ltd, Shepherd Holidays Pvt. "Languages in Nepal | Which language is mostly spoken in Nepal?". www.shepherdholidays.com. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
5. "Six new languages added to the list of languages spoken in Nepal". Khabarhub. 5 November 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
6. Michailovsky, Boyd; Everson, Michael (5 February 2002). "L2/02-055: Revised proposal to encode the Limbu script in the UCS" (PDF).
7. Constitution of Nepal, Part-1 Preliminary
8. Kansakar, Tej R. (1996). "Multilingualism and the Language Situation in Nepal" (PDF). 19 (2). Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
9. "Population Monograph of Nepal Volume II (Social Demography)" (PDF).
10. Whitehouse, Paul; Usher, Timothy; Ruhlen, Merritt; Wang, William S.-Y. (13 April 2004). "Kusunda: An Indo-Pacific language in Nepal". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 101 (15): 5692–5695. Bibcode:2004PNAS..101.5692W. doi:10.1073/pnas.0400233101. ISSN 0027-8424. PMC 397480. PMID 15056764.
11. Hurlbut, Hope M. (2012). "A Lexicostatistic Survey of the Signed Languages in Nepal" (PDF). Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
12. Nepali Constitution 2015 Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine PDF