Western Tamang Dictionary

Western Tamang - Nepali Dictionary

Tamang is a vibrant language spoken by the Tamang community, representing a significant portion of Nepal's linguistic diversity. According to the 2011 Census, Tamang ranks as the fifth most spoken language in Nepal, with 5.1% of the population conversing in it. As part of the Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family, Tamang is primarily spoken around the Kathmandu Valley, though Tamang people are scattered across various districts in Nepal. Recognizing its cultural significance, the Nepal government officially acknowledged Tamang as an indigenous ethnic community in 2058 VS. This recognition was further solidified in the interim constitution of 2063 VS and the current constitution of 2072 VS, which both prioritize Tamang as a national language.

The historical migration of Western Tamang people from Tibet into Nepal, as recounted in the ‘Do:ra song,’ indicates their entry through ‘Same’ in the Himalayas. This narrative places Tamang communities in various locations such as ‘Rhirhap’ and ‘Gyagarden’, below ‘Bompo’ and ‘Lambu’, and just above ‘Same’. In Tamang tradition, influenced by beliefs articulated by figures like Lama, Bompo, and Lambu, the dead are carried upwards, with their heads oriented southwards before cremation. This practice is rooted in the cultural symbolism where ‘Sa’ represents the Earth and ‘me’ the Tail, hence ‘Same’ being referred to as ‘the tail of the Earth’. This symbolizes a journey from the tail to the head, reflecting significant cultural shifts.

Despite not having its own standardized grammar, Tamang is divided into two dialects: Eastern and Western. The Eastern Tamang dialect, spoken east of the Trisuli River and originating from the Langtang Himal, is known as ‘Syarba’. In contrast, the Western Tamang dialect, prevalent in districts like 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 an invaluable resource for comparative linguistic studies. However, the increasing dominance of Nepali, the lingua franca, poses a significant threat to the survival of Western Tamang as a mother tongue. This dictionary plays a crucial role in the preservation, promotion, and development of the Western Tamang language.

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

What's New in the Latest Version 1.7

Last updated on Sep 29, 2024

• Updated on July 30, 2024
• New Android SDK integration

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