Western Tamang - Nepali Dictionary

The Tamang language, a member of the Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family, is spoken by the Tamang community in Nepal. According to the 2011 Census, Tamang ranks as the fifth most spoken language in Nepal, with 5.1% of the population using it. The Tamang people are predominantly found around the Kathmandu Valley, though they are also scattered across various districts throughout the country. Recognized for their unique cultural heritage, the Tamang were officially listed as an indigenous ethnic community by the Nepal government in 2058 VS. Subsequent constitutions, including those of 2063 VS and 2072 VS, have acknowledged Tamang as a national language.

The 'Do:ra song' narrates the migration of the Western Tamang from Tibet into Nepal through 'Same' in the Himalayas. This migration led to the establishment of Tamang communities in areas such as 'Rhirhap', 'Gyagarden', 'Bompo', 'Lambu', and 'Same'. In Tamang cosmology, as articulated by figures like Lama, Bompo, and Lambu, the earth's tail points north and its head south, influencing their burial practices where the deceased's head is oriented southward before cremation. The term 'Same' in Tamang culture symbolizes 'the tail of the Earth', reflecting a journey from the earth's tail to its head.

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

This bilingual dictionary is a collaborative effort of the Western Tamang speech community from the aforementioned districts. It translates Western Tamang words into Nepali, serving as a valuable resource for comparative linguistic studies. However, the number of Western Tamang speakers is declining, with many shifting to Nepali, the dominant lingua franca. This trend poses a significant threat to the survival of Western Tamang as a mother tongue, making this dictionary crucial for the language's preservation, promotion, and development.

Continuous improvement of this dictionary is encouraged, and the community, stakeholders, readers, organizations, and relevant authorities are invited to provide feedback and suggestions to enhance its quality and utility.

What's New in the Latest Version 1.7

Last updated on Sep 29, 2024

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