Present Sociolinguistic Survey
Of
Nepalese Languages
Bhim Lal Gautam
Central Department of Linguistics
Tribhuvan University
gautambhim@rocketmail.com
27/03/2014
Outline
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Introduction
Linguistic Survey of Nepal (LinSuN)
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
BalKrishna Pokharel
German Research Council
Boyd Mikhailovsky
The Central Dept. of Linguistics
Toba et al.
Linguistic Survey of Nepal (LinSuN)
2008 GoN/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)
LinSuN Support
• Management
- Steering committee, NPC, GoN
Evaluation and Supervision
- LISMAC (Linguistic Survey Management
Committee)
Policy making and monitoring
- Administration
Central Department of Linguistics, TU
LinSuN
• Technical Support
- Training and workshops(Nepal & Abroad)
- Infield and summer schools
Infield (2008),3L Summer School( 2012)
• Financial Support
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National Planning Commission, GoN
Ministry of Education and Culture
University Grants Commission
SIL, Nepal and other Institutions
Sociolinguistic Survey of Nepalese
Languages (SLS)
• Methodology
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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)
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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 , DangoraTharu,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
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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
• LinSuN Management Committee
• Dr Anetta Kopecka
References
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