Western Tamang - Nepali Dictionary
Tamang is a vibrant language spoken by the Tamang community. According to the 2011 Nepal Census, Tamang ranks as the fifth most spoken language in Nepal, with 5.1% of the population conversing in it. This language falls within the Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family. The majority of Tamang speakers reside around the Kathmandu Valley, yet the Tamang ethnic group is dispersed across various districts of Nepal. Acknowledging the unique cultural aspects of the Tamang community, the Nepal government officially recognized Tamang as an indigenous ethnic group in 2058 VS. Furthermore, both the interim constitution of 2063 VS and the more recent constitution of 2072 VS have elevated Tamang to the status of a national language.
The 'Do:ra song' narrates the journey of Western Tamang people from Tibet, entering Nepal through 'Same' in the Himalayas. This song also identifies Tamang communities in several locations such as 'Rhirhap' and 'Gyagarden', situated below 'Bompo' and 'Lambu', and directly above 'Same'. According to the beliefs of Lama, Bompo, and Lambu, the Earth's tail points north and its head south, which influences Tamang funeral practices where the deceased's body is positioned with the head southward before cremation. In Tamang culture, 'Sa' signifies the Earth and 'me' the Tail, thus 'Same' is perceived as 'the tail of the Earth'. This cultural narrative underscores a transition from the tail to the head of the Earth.
Despite lacking a formalized grammar, Tamang is divided into two dialects: Eastern and Western. Eastern Tamang, originating from the Langtang Himal region east of the Trisuli River, is also known as 'Syarba'. Conversely, Western Tamang, spoken in districts like Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Lamjung, Chitawan, and Kanchanpur, is referred to as 'Nhurba' or 'Nhuppa'.
This bilingual dictionary is a collaborative effort by the Western Tamang speech community from the aforementioned districts. It translates Tamang words into Nepali, making it an invaluable resource for those interested in comparative linguistic studies. However, the number of Western Tamang speakers is declining, shifting towards Nepali, the lingua franca, which 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.
Finally, there is a strong commitment to continually enhance this dictionary. The Tamang community, stakeholders, readers, organizations, and relevant authorities are all encouraged to provide feedback and suggestions to further improve, advance, and mature this vital 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
