Western Tamang Dictionary

Western Tamang - Nepali Dictionary

Tamang is a language spoken by the Tamang speech community, which ranks as the fifth most spoken language in Nepal according to the 2011 Census, with 5.1% of the population. It falls under the Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family. The majority of the Tamang community resides around the Kathmandu Valley, although Tamang people are spread across various districts in Nepal. Recognizing the unique cultural attributes of the Tamang, the Nepal government officially categorized them as an indigenous ethnic group in 2058 VS. This recognition has been further solidified in the interim constitution of 2063 VS and the more recent constitution of 2072 VS, which lists Tamang as a national language.

The 'Do:ra song' narrates the migration of Western Tamang people from Tibet into Nepal via 'Same' in the Himalayas. This migration led to the establishment of Tamang communities in various locations such as 'Rhirhap', 'Gyagarden', 'Bompo', and 'Lambu', all situated around 'Same'. According to the cultural beliefs of Lama, Bompo, and Lambu, the Earth's tail points north and its head south, influencing the Tamang practice of positioning the deceased's head towards the south before cremation. In Tamang culture, 'Sa' represents the Earth and 'me' the tail, thus 'Same' symbolizes 'the tail of the Earth'. This cultural narrative reflects the journey from the tail to the head of the Earth.

Despite lacking a standardized grammar, Tamang is divided into two main dialects: Eastern and Western. The Eastern Tamang dialect, known as 'Syarba', originates from the Langtang Himal area east of the Trisuli River. Conversely, the Western Tamang dialect, referred to as 'Nhurba' or 'Nhuppa', is spoken in the western districts including Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Lamjung, Chitawan, and Kanchanpur.

This bilingual dictionary is a collaborative effort by members of the Western Tamang speech community from the aforementioned districts. It translates Tamang words into Nepali, making it a valuable resource for comparative linguistic studies. However, the number of Western Tamang speakers is declining due to the pervasive influence of Nepali, the lingua franca. This shift poses a significant threat to the survival of Western Tamang as a mother tongue, underscoring the importance of this dictionary in the preservation, promotion, and development of the language.

Continuous improvement is essential for the dictionary's growth and maturity. The Tamang speech community, stakeholders, readers, organizations, and other relevant authorities are encouraged to provide insightful comments and feedback to enhance this resource.

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Last updated on Sep 29, 2024

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