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The Kiranti languages form a sub-group of the Tibeto-Burman language family, which is itself a branch of the Sino-Tibetan languages. It is one of the most profound language family of Nepal. The Kiranti family comprises thirty to forty languages spoken in the eastern Himalayas by Newars and ethnic Kiranti groups, principally in Nepal, but also, and to a lesser extent, in Bhutan and the extreme north of India.
[edit] History
Kirati languages have a long documented history. Nepal Bhasa has a well documented history spanning over 800 years. Most of the history of Nepal is derived from manuscripts in Kirati lanugages like Nepal Bhasa. Most speakers are bilingual in Nepali, with many of the younger generation speaking it preferentially.
[edit] Subclassification
With approximately one million speakers, Nepal Bhasa is the most widely-spoken member of the Kiranti languages[1].
- Western Kirant
- Central Kirant
- Eastern Kirant
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.ethnologue.com/show_lang_family.asp?code=new
[edit] See also
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Kiranti languages |
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| Western |
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| Central |
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| Eastern |
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