Western Tamang Dictionary

Western Tamang - Nepali Dictionary

Tamang is a language spoken by the Tamang speech community. According to the 2011 Census in Nepal, Tamang ranks as the fifth most spoken language, with 5.1 percent of the population. It is part of the Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family. The majority of Tamang speakers reside around the Kathmandu Valley, though the Tamang ethnic group is spread across various districts in Nepal. In 2058 VS, the Nepal government recognized Tamang as an indigenous ethnic community, highlighting its unique cultural features. This recognition has been further emphasized in the interim constitution of 2063 VS and the recent constitution of 2072 VS, which prioritize Tamang as a national language.

The 'Do:ra song' narrates the migration of Western Tamang people from Tibet into Nepal through 'Same' in the Himalayas. This migration led to the establishment of Tamang communities in various locations such as 'Rhirhap' and 'Gyagarden', below 'Bompo' and 'Lambu', and just above 'Same'. According to Lama, Bompo, and Lambu, the Earth's tail is believed to be in the north and its head in the south, influencing Tamang burial practices where the deceased's head is positioned southward before cremation. In Tamang culture, 'Sa' represents the Earth and 'me' the Tail, thus 'Same' symbolizes 'the tail of the Earth'. This cultural belief reflects the journey from the tail to the head, signifying significant changes.

Although Tamang lacks a standardized grammar, it is divided into two main dialects: Eastern and Western. The Eastern Tamang dialect, originating from the Langtang Himal and spoken east of the Trisuli River, is known as 'Syarba'. Conversely, the Western Tamang dialect, 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 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 influence of Nepali, the lingua franca. This shift poses a significant challenge to the survival of Western Tamang as a mother tongue, making this dictionary crucial for its preservation, promotion, and development.

Lastly, there is a strong potential for enhancing this dictionary to further its improvement, advancement, and maturity. The speech community, stakeholders, readers, organizations, and other relevant authorities are encouraged to provide insightful comments and feedback.

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