Present Sociolinguistic Survey Of Nepalese Languages Bhim Lal

Present Sociolinguistic Survey Of Nepalese Languages Bhim Lal Gautam Central Department of Linguistics Tribhuvan University gautambhim@rocketmail. com 27/03/2014

Outline • • • Introduction Linguistic Survey of Nepal (Lin. Su. N) Sociolinguistic Survey of Nepalese Languages Methodology used in SLS Progress Report of SLS Challenges and Difficulties

Introduction • Nepal’s Linguistic Diversity - Natural and Geographical Diversity - 123 plus languages - 4 different sign languages - 125 plus ethnic groups and cultures - 4 different language families - 1 language isolate : Kusunda

Linguistic Surveys of Nepal - 1828 -88 - 1898 -1927 - 1965 -68 - 1981 -84 - 1988 - 1996 - 2002 Hodgson – Royal Asiatic Society Grierson’s LSI Bal. Krishna Pokharel German Research Council Boyd Mikhailovsky The Central Dept. of Linguistics Toba et al.

Linguistic Survey of Nepal (Lin. Su. N) 2008 Go. N/NPC • Objectives - Developing a sociolinguistic profile of all the languages of Nepal - Producing a basic description of at least 10 languages - Developing and maintaining a complete database of the languages of Nepal - Developing a description of the use of mother tongues in education (formal and non-formal)

Lin. Su. N Support • Management - Steering committee, NPC, Go. N Evaluation and Supervision - LISMAC (Linguistic Survey Management Committee) Policy making and monitoring - Administration Central Department of Linguistics, TU

Lin. Su. N • Technical Support - Training and workshops(Nepal & Abroad) - Infield and summer schools Infield (2008), 3 L Summer School( 2012) • Financial Support - National Planning Commission, Go. N Ministry of Education and Culture University Grants Commission SIL, Nepal and other Institutions

Sociolinguistic Survey of Nepalese Languages (SLS) • Methodology - Sociolinguistic Questionnaire Recorded Text Tests (RTT) Sentence Repetition Test (SRT) Lexical Similarity (210 word list) Participatory Method (PM)

SLS Methodology • Sociolinguistic Questionnaires 1. Sociolinguistic Questionnaire( A) -Real speakers 1. Sociolinguistic Questionnaire (B) -Participatory Method 1. Sociolinguistic Questionnaire (C ) - Language Activists & Local leaders

SLS Methodology • Recorded Text Tests (RTT) -Level of intelligibility among language groups - A better way to compare different dialects • Sentence Repetition Test (SRT) -Attitudes of MT speakers -Levels of competence in the National language -Multilingualism

Participatory Method (PM) • • • Biographical information Opinions about the language Bilingualism/Multilingualism Use and attitude towards the language Resource for literacy and education

Participatory Method (PM)

SLS Progress Activities • Pilot Survey (2008) - Jhapa District of Nepal - Objective: Testing of questionnaires - Surveyed Languages (13) Indo-Aryan (7): Malpande, Karuwa, Sadri (Kissan), Danuwar, Marwari, Nepali, Maithili, Urdu, Tibeto-Burman (2): Bantawa, Meche Dravidian (1): Uraun Austro Asiatic(1): Khadiya Hindi

SLS Progress Activities • Field Visit (Survey) and Data Collection • 2009 ( 5 Languages) Tibeto-Burman(3): Chepang, Newar, Yakhha Indo Aryan(2): Maithili, Nepali • 2010 (6 languages) Tibeto-Burman (4): Nepali, Maithili Indo-Aryan (2): Bhujel, Dolakha Newar, Lepcha

SLS Progress Activities • 2011 (6 languages) Tibeto-Burman (4): Chulung, Dhut Magar, Jirel, Kaike Indo-Aryan (1): Bote Austro-Asiatic (1): Santhali • 2012 A (13 languages) Indo-Aryan (10): Achhami, Awadhi, Bajhangi, Bajureli, Baitadeli , Dangora. Tharu, Doteli, Rana Tharu, Sonah, Khonah Tibeto-Burman (3): Byansi, Raji, Raute

SLS Progress Activities • 2012 B (7 languages) Indo-Aryan (4): Awadhi, Bhojpuri, Kumal, Tharu Tibeto-Burman (3): Chantyal, Gurung, Kham, • 2013 (15 languages) Indo-Aryan (7): Angika, Gangai, Kissan, Malpande, Majhi, Rajbansi, Tajpuriya Tibeto-Burman (6): Dumi, Dhimal, Koyee, Koche, Meche, Tilung Austro Asiatic (2): Khadiya, Uranw • 2014 ( 8 languages) Tibeto-Burman (6): Khaling, Nachhiring, Kulung, Sampang Thulung, Wambule, Indo-Aryan (2): Bajjika, Kathariya

SLS Report Writing • Completed Report( 22 languages) Tibeto-Burman (11): Bhujel, Byansi, Chepang, Chhantyal, Jirel, Magar Kham, Magar Dhut, Meche, Newar, Raji, Raute Indo-Aryan (9): Achhami, Awadhi, Bajhangi & Bajureli, Baitadeli & Darchureli, Dangora Tharu, Dotyali, Kumal , Rana Tharu, Rajbansi & Tajpuriya Austro-Asiatic (1): Santhali Dravidian (1): Urawn

SLS Report Writing • Report in progress(13 languages) -Tibeto-Burman(7): Chulung, Dumi, Dhimal, Gurung, Kaike, Koche/Gangai, Koyee, -Indo-Aryan(5): Bhojpuri, Bote, Majhi, Nepali, Maithili, -Austro-Asiatic(1): Khadiya

Summary of SLS • 58 Languages Surveyed • 22 Language report completed • 13 Language report on progress

Challenges & Difficulties • Financial Difficulties - Government Role - Other Agencies • • • Lack of education & motivation Difficult geographical conditions Migration Lack of effective tools for creating data base Conflicts among the linguistic community Political instability

Acknowledgements • The Central Department of Linguistics, TU • Lin. Su. N Management Committee • Dr Anetta Kopecka

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