Newari
| Nepal Bhasa | |
|---|---|
| नेपाल भाषा | |
| Native to | Nepal, Sikkim |
| Ethnicity | Newa people |
| Native speakers | 846,000 (2001 census) |
| Language family |
Sino-Tibetan
|
| Early forms |
Classical Nepal Bhasa
|
| Dialects |
Sindhupalchok
Lalitpur–Kathmandu
Bhaktapur
Chitlang
|
| Writing system | Devanagari, Kutakshari script, Ranjana script, Prachalit script, Brahmi script, Gupta script, Bhujimol script, Golmol script |
| Official status | |
| Official language in |  Nepal India (Sikkim state region) |
| Regulated by | Nepal Bhasa Academy Nepal Bhasa Parishad |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-2 | new |
| ISO 639-3 | Either: new – Modern Newar nwx – Middle Newar |
| Linguist List | nwx Middle Newar |
Nepal Bhasa (नेपाल भाषा, Nēpāl bhāṣā, also known as Newāh Bhāy) is one of the major languages of Nepal.
It was Nepal's administrative and day-to-day language from the 14th to
the late 18th centuries. Nepal Bhasa is spoken today as a mother tongue
by the Newars, the indigenous inhabitants of Nepal Mandala, which consists of the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding regions.
Outside Nepal, Nepal Bhasa is also spoken in India, particularly in Sikkim where it is one of the 11 official languages.
Nepal Bhasa is classified as a Tibeto-Burman language, but it has been greatly influenced by Indo-Aryan languages.
The name
The earliest occurrences of the name Nepal Bhasa can be found in the manuscripts Narad Sanhita, dated 1380 AD, and Amarkosh, dated 1389 AD. Since then, the name has been used widely on inscriptions, manuscripts, documents and books.
In the 1920s, the name of the language known as Khaskura, Gorkhali or Parbatiya was changed to Nepali,
and Nepal Bhasa began to be officially referred to as Newari while the
Newars continued using the original term. Similarly, the term Gorkhali
in the former national anthem entitled "Shreeman Gambhir" was changed to Nepali in 1951.
On 8 September 1995, following years of lobbying to use the standard
name, the government decided that the name Nepal Bhasa should be used
instead of Newari.
However, the decision was not implemented, and on 13 November 1998, the
Minister of Information and Communication issued another directive to
use the name Nepal Bhasa instead of Newari language. However, the Central Bureau of Statistics has not been doing so.
Geographic distribution
Nepal Bhasa is spoken by over a million people in Nepal according to the 2001 census.
- In Nepal: Kathmandu Valley (Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City, Bhaktapur Municipality, Kirtipur Municipality, Madhyapur Thimi Municipality), Dolakha, Banepa, Dhulikhel, Bhimphedi (Makwanpur), Panauti, Palpa, Trishuli, Nuwakot, Bhojpur, Chitlang.
- In India: Sikkim, West Bengal
- In Tibet: Khasa
With an increase in emigration, various bodies and societies of Nepal
Bhasa-speaking people have emerged in countries like the US, the UK,
Australia and Japan.
History and development
Nepal Bhasa words appeared in Sanskrit
inscriptions in the Kathmandu Valley for the first time in the fifth
century. The words are names of places, taxes and merchandise indicating
that it already existed as a spoken language during the Licchavi period (approximately 400-750 AD).Inscriptions in Nepal Bhasa emerged from the 12th century, the palm-leaf manuscript from Uku Bahah being the first example.
By the 14th century, Nepal Bhasa had become an administrative language
as shown by the official proclamations and public notices written in it.
The first books, manuals, histories and dictionaries also appeared
during this time. The Gopalarajavamsavali, a history of Nepal, appeared in 1389 AD.
Nepal Bhasa developed from the 14th to the late 18th centuries as the court and state language of Nepal.
It was the definite language of stone and copper plate inscriptions,
royal decrees, chronicles, Hindu and Buddhist manuscripts, official
documents, journals, title deeds, correspondence and creative writing.
Records of the life-cycle ceremonies of Malla royalty and the materials
used were written in Nepal Bhasa.
The period 1505-1847 AD was a golden age for Nepal Bhasa literature. Poetry, stories, epics and dramas were produced in great numbers during this time which is known as the Classical Period.
Outside Nepal Mandala
Inscriptions written in Nepal Bhasa occur across Nepal Mandala and outside.
In Gorkha, the Bhairav Temple at Pokharithok Bazaar contains an inscription dated Nepal Sambat
704 (1584 AD). The Palanchowk Bhagawati Temple situated to the east of
Kathmandu contains an inscription recording a land donation dated Nepal
Sambat 861 (1741 AD).
In Bhojpur
in east Nepal, an inscription at the Bidyadhari Ajima Temple dated
Nepal Sambat 1011 (1891 AD) records the donation of a door and tympanum. The Bindhyabasini Temple in Bandipur in west Nepal contains an inscription dated Nepal Sambat 950 (1830 AD) about the donation of a tympanum.
Outside Nepal, Nepal Bhasa has been used in Tibet. Official documents and inscriptions recording votive offerings made by Newar traders have been found in Lhasa.
A copper plate dated Nepal Sambat 781 (1661 AD) recording the donation
of a tympanum is installed at the shrine of Chhwaskamini Ajima (Tibetan:
Palden Lhamo) in the Jokhang Temple.
Ancient era
Nepal Bhasa can be classified into the old and new eras. Although
there is no specific demarcation between the two, the period 1846-1941
AD during the Rana regime is taken as the dividing period between the two.
An example of the language of the ancient period is provided by the
following line from the palm-leaf manuscript from Uku Bahah which dates
from 1114 AD. It is a general discussion of business transactions.
- छीन ढाको तृसंघष परिभोग। छु पुलेंग कीत्य बिपार वस्त्र बिवु मिखा तिवु मदुगुन छु सात दुगुनव ल्है
- chīna ḍhākō tr̥saṃghaṣa paribhōga, chu pulēṃga kītya bipāra vastra bivu mikhā tivu maduguna chu sāta dugunava lhai
Medieval era
The language flourished as an administrative and literary language during the medieval period.
Noted royal writers include Mahindra Malla, Siddhi Narsingh Malla and
Jagat Prakash Malla. An example of the language used during this period
is provided by the following lines from Mooldevshashidev written by Jagat Prakash Malla.
- धु छेगुकि पाछाव वाहान
- dhu chēguki pāchāva vāhāna
- तिलहित बिया हिङ लाहाति थाय थायस
- tilahita biyā hiŋa lāhāti thāya thāyasa
The verse is a description of Shiva and the use of a tiger skin as his seat.
Dark age
Nepal Bhasa began to be sidelined after the Gorkha conquest of Nepal and the ouster of the Malla dynasty by the Shah dynasty
in the late 18th century. Since then, its history has been one of
constant suppression and struggle against official disapproval. The Nepal Bhasa movement began during this time.
Following the advent of the Shahs, the Gorkhali language became the court language, and Nepal Bhasa was replaced as the language of administration.
However, Nepal Bhasa continued to remain in official use for a time as
shown by the 1775 treaty with Tibet which was written in it. A few of the new rulers cultivated the language. Kings Prithvi Narayan Shah, Rana Bahadur and Rajendra Bikram Shah composed poetry and wrote plays.
Nepal Bhasa suffered heavily under the repressive policy of the Rana dynasty (1846–1951 AD) when the regime attempted to wipe it out.
In 1906, legal documents written in Nepal Bhasa were declared
unenforceable, and any evidence in the language was declared null and
void. The rulers forbade literature in Nepal Bhasa, and writers were sent to jail. In 1944, Buddhist monks who wrote in the language were expelled from the country
Renaissance era
Main article: Nepal Bhasa renaissance
The period between 1909 to 1941 is considered as the renaissance era of Nepal Bhasa.
During this period, a few authors braved official disapproval and
started writing, translating, educating and restructuring the language.
Writers Nisthananda Bajracharya, Siddhidas Mahaju, Jagat Sundar Malla and Yogbir Singh Kansakar are honored as the Four Pillars of Nepal Bhasa. Shukraraj Shastri and Dharmaditya Dharmacharya were also at the forefront of the renaissance.
In 1909, Bajracharya published the first printed book using movable type. Shastri wrote a grammar of the language entitled Nepal Bhasa Vyakaran, the first one in modern times. It was published from Kolkata in 1928. His other works include Nepal Bhasa Reader, Books 1 and 2 (1933) and an alphabet book Nepali Varnamala (1933).
Mahaju's Ramayan
and books on morals and ethics, Malla's endeavors to impart education
in the mother tongue and other literary activities marked the
renaissance. Dharmacharya published the first magazine in Nepal Bhasa Buddha Dharma wa Nepal Bhasa from Kolkata
in 1925. Also, the renaissance marked the beginning of the movement to
get official recognition for the name "Nepal Bhasa" in place of the Khas imposed term "Newari".
Some of the lines of Mahaju read as follows:
- सज्जन मनुष्या संगतनं मूर्ख नापं भिना वै
- sajjana manuṣyā saṃgatanaṃ mūrkha nāpaṃ bhinā vai
- पलेला लपते ल वंसा म्वति थें ल सना वै
- palēlā lapatē la vaṃsā mvati thēṃ la sanā vai
The verse states that even a moron can improve with the company of
good people just like a drop of water appears like a pearl when it
descends upon the leaves of a lotus plant.
Modern Nepal Bhasa
Jail years
The years 1941-1945 are known as the jail years for the large number
of authors who were imprisoned for their literary or political
activities. They were a productive period and resulted in an outpouring
of literary works.
Chittadhar Hridaya, Siddhicharan Shrestha and Phatte Bahadur Singh
were among the prominent writers of the period who were jailed for
their writings. While in prison, Hridaya produced his greatest work Sugata Saurabha,[34] an epic poem on the life of the Buddha. Shrestha wrote a collection of poems entitled Seeswan
("Wax Flower", published in 1948) among other works. Singh (1902–1983)
was sentenced to life imprisonment for editing and publishing an
anthology of poems by various poets entitled Nepali Bihar.
The efforts of Nepal Bhasa authors coincided with the revival of Theravada Buddhism
in Nepal, which the rulers disliked equally. In 1946, the monks who had
been exiled by the Ranas in 1944 for teaching Buddhism and writing in
Nepal Bhasa were allowed to return following international pressure.
Restrictions on publication were relaxed, and books could be published
after being censored. The monks wrote wide-ranging books on Buddhism and
greatly enriched the corpus of religious literature.
Outside the Kathmandu Valley in the 1940s, poets like Ganesh Lal Shrestha of Hetauda composed songs and put on performances during festivals.
The 1950s
Following the overthrow of the Rana dynasty
and the advent of democracy in 1951, restrictions on publication in
Nepal Bhasa were removed. Books, magazines and newspapers appeared. A
daily newspaper Nepal Bhasa Patrika began publication in 1955.
Textbooks were published and Nepal Bhasa was included in the
curriculum. Nepal Rastriya Vidhyapitha recognized Nepal Bhasa as an
alternative medium of instruction in the schools and colleges affiliated
to it.
Literary societies like Nepal Bhasa Parisad were formed and Chwasa Pasa returned from exile.
In 1958, Kathmandu Municipality passed a resolution that it would
accept applications and publish major decisions in Nepal Bhasa in
addition to the Nepali language.
Second dark age
Democracy lasted for a brief period, and Nepal Bhasa and other
languages of Nepal entered a second dark age with the dissolution of
parliament and the imposition of the Panchayat
system in 1960. Under its policy of "one nation, one language", only
the Nepali language was promoted, and all the other languages of Nepal
were suppressed as "ethnic" or "local" languages.
In 1963, Kathmandu Municipality's decision to recognize Nepal Bhasa
was revoked. In 1965, the language was also banned from being broadcast
over Radio Nepal. Those who protested against the ban were put in prison, including Buddhist monk Sudarshan Mahasthavir.
The New Education System Plan brought out in 1971 eased out Nepal's
other languages from the schools in a bid to diminish the country's
multi-lingual traditions. Students were discouraged from choosing their mother tongue as an elective subject as it was lumped with technical subjects.Nepal's various languages began to stagnate as the population could not
use them for official, educational, employment or legal purposes.
Birat Nepal Bhasa Sahitya Sammelan Guthi (Grand Nepal Bhasa Literary Conference Trust), formed in 1962 in Bhaktapur, and Nepal Bhasa Manka Khala,
founded in 1979 in Kathmandu, are some of the prominent organizations
that emerged during this period to struggle for language rights. The
names of these organizations also annoyed the government which, on one
occasion in 1979, changed the name of Brihat Nepal Bhasa Sahitya
Sammelan Guthi in official media reports.
Some lines by the famous poet Durga Lal Shrestha of this era are as follows:
- घाः जुयाः जक ख्वइगु खः झी
- स्याःगुलिं सः तइगु खः
- झी मसीनि ! झी मसीनि !
- धइगु चिं जक ब्वैगु खः
- We are crying because we are wounded
- We are shouting because of the pain
- All in all, we are demonstrating
- That we are not dead yet.
Post-1990 People's Movement
After the 1990 People's Movement that brought the Panchayat system to an end, the languages of Nepal enjoyed greater freedom.
The 1990 constitution recognized Nepal as a multiethnic and
multilingual country. The Nepali language in the Devanagari script was
declared the language of the nation and the official language.
Meanwhile, all the languages spoken as mother tongues in Nepal were
named national languages.
In 1997, Kathmandu Metropolitan City
declared that its policy to officially recognize Nepal Bhasa would be
revived. The rest of the city governments in the Kathmandu Valley
announced that they too would recognize it. However, critics petitioned
the Supreme Court to have the policy annulled, and in 1999, the Supreme
Court quashed the decision of the local bodies as being
unconstitutional. Nepal Bhasa was thus pushed out once again.
Post-2006 People's Movement
A second People's Movement in 2006 ousted the Shah dynasty and Nepal
became a republic which gave the people greater linguistic freedom. The
2007 Interim Constitution states that the use of one's mother tongue in a
local body or office shall not be barred. However, this has not happened in practice.
The restoration of democracy has been marked by the privatization of
the media. Various concerned people and organizations are working for
the development of Nepal Bhasa by themselves. Nepal Bhasa has several
newspapers, a primary level curriculum, several schools, several FM
stations (selected time for Nepal Bhasa programs), regular TV programs
and News (on Image TV Channel), Nepal Bhasa Music Award (a part of Image
Award) and several websites (including Nepal Bhasa wikipedia).
The number of schools teaching Nepal Bhasa has increased, and it is being offered in schools outside the Kathmandu Valley too.
Literature
Main article: Nepal Bhasa literature
Nepal Bhasa literature has a long history. It has the fourth-oldest literature of the Sino-Tibetan languages (the first, second and third being Chinese, Tibetan and Burmese respectively).
Drama
Dramas
are traditionally performed in open Dabu (stage). Most of the
traditional dramas are related to deities and demons. Masked characters
are central to such dramas. Music forms an important part of drama. Most
of them are narrated with the help of songs sang at intervals. The
drama as such resembles dance in many cases. The theme of most of the
drama is to create a social wellbeing with morals illustrating the rise,
turbulence and fall of evil. There are fixed dates in the Nepal Sambat (Nepal Era) calendar for performance of specific drama. Most of the dramas are carried out by specific Guthis.
Poetry
Poetry writing constituted a pompous part of medieval Malla aristocracy. Many of the kings were well renowned poets. Siddhidas Mahaju and Chittadhar Hridaya are two great poets in the language.
Prose fiction
This is a relatively new field of literature compared to other
fields. Most of the fiction were written in poetry form till the
medieval era. So, almost all of prose fiction belong to the modern Nepal
Bhasa. Collective short stories in Nepal Bhasa are more popular than
novels.
Story
The art of verbal story
telling is very old in Nepal Bhasa. There are a variety of mythical and
social stories that have aided in establishing the norm of Kathmandu
valley. Stories ranging from the origin of Kathmandu valley to the
temples of the valley and the important monuments have been passed down
verbally in Nepal Bhasa and very few are present in written form.
However, with an increase in literacy rate and an awareness amongst the
people, those stories have been penned down. Stories on other topics
have also taken root.
Nepal Bhasa movement
Main article: Nepal Bhasa movement
Newars have been fighting to save their language from the time of the repressive Rana regime till today.
The movement arose against the suppression of the language that began
with the rise of the Shah dynasty in 1768 AD, and intensified during the
Rana regime (1846–1951) and Panchayat system (1960–1990).
At various times, the government has forbidden literature in Nepal
Bhasa, banned official use and removed it from the media and the
educational system. Activism has taken the form of publication of books
and periodicals to public meets and protest rallies.
Writers and language workers have been jailed or expelled from the
country, and they have continued the movement abroad. The struggle for linguistic rights has sometimes combined with the movement for religious and political freedom in Nepal.
Dialects
The main dialects of Nepal Bhasa are:
Dolkhali (Dolakha)
Main article: Dolakhae newari
This is the most preserved form of the language and resembles the old Nepal Bhasa.
Sindhupalchowk Pahri (Pahri, Pahari)
This dialect has similar vocabulary as the Yala subdialect of Yen-Yala-Kyepu dialect. However, the language is spoken with a Tamang language
tone. Now-a-days, in this district the Tamang caste lives more than
other castes. In the new Nepal's constitutional assembly, the largest
party of Nepal proposed in Tamsaling Rajya for this district in their
federation module.
Chitlang
This dialect is used in Chitlang,
a place south of Kathmandu valley in Makawanpur district. This is one
of the biggest Newar bastions at Chitlang. Balami caste predominates
there. Recently a new committee named "Balami Samaaj" has been
established to give an identity rather than Newar but as the government
has categorized Balami as Newar, this attempt fails.
Kathmandu
Kathmandu dialect is one of the dominant form of language and very
close to the standard form of language used in academics and media. It
is also ta widely used dialect. It is especially spoken in Kathmandu. It is very similar to the Lalitpur dialect.
Lalitpur
Lalitpur dialect is the most dominant form of language and is the
standard form of language used in academics and media. It is also very
widely used dialect. It is especially spoken in Lalitpur.
Bhaktapur
Also known as Khvapa Bhāy ख्वप: भाय्,
this dialect is more archaic than the standard. Variations exist in the
use of this form of language in Bhaktapur, Banepa, Panauti and
Dhulikhel.
Religion in dialects
Religions play vital role in dialectical diversity though they are minor. It has been recorded from the Malla period. Hinduism and Buddhism were present at that age and few words in Hinduism and Buddhism of Nepal Bhasa differs. The step towards Christianity, Islam, other religions, and atheism the diversity has more extended. Especially the word "dhya|द्यः|god" is removed after the gods name by people except of Hinduism and Buddhism.
For example, Lord Ganesha is said as "ganedya|गनेद्यः" by Hindus and Buddhists but only "गने|gane" by other.
Sounds
The sounds are traditionally listed in the order vowels (monophthongs and diphthongs), anusvara and visarga, stops (plosives and nasals) (starting in the back of the mouth and moving forward), and finally the liquids and fricatives, written in IAST as follows (see the tables below for details):
Writing systems
Main article: Nepal alphabets
Nepal Bhasa is now written in the Devanagari
script. The script originally used for writing it, Nepal Lipi or
Nepalese script, fell into disuse at the beginning of the 20th century
when writing in the language and the script was banned.
Nepal Lipi, also known as Nepal Akha, emerged in the 10th century. Over the centuries, a number of variants of Nepali Lipi have appeared.
Vowels
The vowels, called MaAkha (माआखः) used in Nepal Bhasa are
| Orthography | अ | अः | आ | आः | इ | ई | उ | ऊ | ऋ | ॠ | लृ | लॄ | ए | ऐ | ओ | औ | अँ | अं | अय् | आय् | एय् |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roman | a | a: | aa | aa: | i | ii | u | uu | ri | rii | lri | lrii | e | ai | o | au | an | aN | ay | aay | ey |
Even though ऋ, ॠ, ऌ, ॡ are present in Nepal Bhasa, they are rarely
used. Instead, some experts suggest including अय् (aya) and आय् (aaya)
in the list of vowels.
Consonants
The consonants, called BaAkha (बाआखः), meaning "Father alphabets" used in Nepal Bhasa are:
| क | ख | ग | घ | ङ | ङ्ह | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ka | kha | ga | gha | /ŋ/a | /ŋ/ha | |||
| च | छ | ज | झ | ञ | ||||
| cha | chh | ja or za | jha or zha | /ɲ/ya | ||||
| ट | ठ | ड | ढ | ण | ||||
| ta | tha | /ɖ/a | dha | /ɳ/a | ||||
| त | थ | द | ध | न | न्ह | |||
| ta | tha | /d̪/a | /d̪ʱ/a | na | nha | |||
| प | फ | ब | भ | म | म्ह | |||
| pa | pha or fa | ba | bha | ma | mha | |||
| य | ह्य | र | ह्र | ल | ल्ह | व | व्ह | |
| ya | hya | ra | hra | la | lha | va or wa | wha | |
| श | ष | स | ह | |||||
| /ɕ/a | /ʃ/a | sa | ha | |||||
| क्ष | त्र | ज्ञ | ||||||
| ksha | tra} | /ɡɲ/a |
ङ्ह, न्ह, म्ह, ह्य, ह्र, ल्ह and व्ह are included in constants as
these have a specific identity in Nepal Bhasa. Some people do not
include these in consonants but few do.
The use of ङ and ञ was very common in the old form of language.
However, in the new form, specially in writing, the use of these
characters has diminished. The use of ण, त, थ, द, ध, न, श, ष, क्ष, त्र,
ज्ञ are limited by the new grammar books to the loan words only.
Complex/compound consonants
Besides the consonants mentioned above, some complex consonants
called China Akha (चिना आखः) are used. These China Akha represent the
Sino-Tibetan characteristics of the language.
Numerals
Main article: Newari numerals
The numerals used in Nepal Bhasa have ten digits from 0 to 9. The numerals used in Ranjana script are as follows (from 0 to 9):
The same numericals in Devnagari are:
| ० | १ | २ | ३ | ४ | ५ | ६ | ७ | ८ | ९ |
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
Grammar
Sentence structure
Statement sentence-
This language is a SOV (subject–object–verb) language. For instance, "My name is Bilat (Birat)" is "Jigu Na'aa Bilat Khaa'a " which word by word translation becomes, "My (Jigu) Name (Na'aa) Bilat is (Khaa'a)".
This language is a SOV (subject–object–verb) language. For instance, "My name is Bilat (Birat)" is "Jigu Na'aa Bilat Khaa'a " which word by word translation becomes, "My (Jigu) Name (Na'aa) Bilat is (Khaa'a)".
Interrogative sentence-
Wh-question:
In case of Newar language, Wh-questions are rather "G-questions" with "when/which" being replaced by "Gublay/Gugu" respectively. There is an additional "Guli" which is used for "How much/How many". A S-word "Soo" is used for "who". "Chhoo/Schoo (with a silent 's')" is used for "What", and "Gathey" is used for "How".
Wh-question:
In case of Newar language, Wh-questions are rather "G-questions" with "when/which" being replaced by "Gublay/Gugu" respectively. There is an additional "Guli" which is used for "How much/How many". A S-word "Soo" is used for "who". "Chhoo/Schoo (with a silent 's')" is used for "What", and "Gathey" is used for "How".
2. Affixes
i. Suffix- "Chaa" and "Ju" are two popular suffixes. "Chaa" is added to signify "junior" or "lesser". But when added to a name, it is used derogatorily. For example, kya'ah-chaa means nephew where "chaa" is being added to kya'ah(son). When added to name like Birat for "Birat-chaa", it is being used derogatorily. The suffix "ju" is added to show respect. For example, "Baa-ju" means "father-in-law" where "ju" is added to "Baa(father)". Unlike "chaa", "ju" is not added to a first/last name directly. Instead, honorific terms like "Bhaaju" is added for males and "Mayju" for females. Example, "Birat bhaaju" for a male name (Birat) and "Suja Mayju" for a female name (Suja).
ii. Prefix – "Tap'ah" is added to denote "remote" or
"distant" relative ('distance' in relationship irrespective of spatial
extent). A distant (younger) brother (kija) becomes "tap'ah-kija". "Tuh" is added to denote "higher". Father (baa)'s senior brother is referred to as "Tuh-baa".
Some common phrases and terms in Nepal Bhasa and Nepali
| English | Nepal Bhasa Devanagari |
Nepal Bhasa Roman script |
Khas Bhasa (Nepali) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hello | ज्वजलपा | Jwojolappā! | Namaste |
| What is your name? | छिगु नां: छु खः ? | Chigu nāṁḥ chu kha? | Timro/tapai/tero naam ka ho? |
| My name is ___ | जिगु नां: ___ ख: | Jigu nāṁ: ___ kha. | Mero naam ___ ho. |
| New Year greetings | न्हूदँया भिंतुना | Nhūdaṁyā bhintunā | Naya barsa ko subhakamana. |
| Thank you | शुभाय् | Śubhāy | Dhanyabad |
| Welcome | लसकुस | Lasakusa! | Swagat chha |
| Yes | खः | Khaḥ | Ho |
| No | मखु | Makhu | Ho'eena |
| Okay | ज्यु | Jyu | Thik chha |
| Not Okay | मज्यु | Majyu | Thik chha'ee'na |
| Friend | पासा | Pāsā | Saathi |
| Organization | गुथि | Guthi | Sansthan |
| House | छें | Chēṁ | Ghar |
| Human | मनु | Manu | Manaw |
| Medicine | वास: | Vāsaḥ | Owkhati/ Owsadhi |
| News | बुखं | Bukhaṁ | Samachar |
| Dance | प्याखं | Pyākhaṁ | Naach |
| Man | मि:जं | Miḥjaṁ | Manchhe |
| Woman | मि:शा | Miḥśā | Aa'ee'maa'ee |
| Gentleman | भाजु | Bhāju | Mahodaya |
| Madam | म्येजु | Myēju | Mahodaya |
| Young Man | ल्याम: | Lyāmaḥ | Yuwa'a |
| Young Lady | ल्यासी | Lyāsī | Yuwa'ati |
| Song | म्ये | Myē | Geet |
| Stage | दबली, दबू: | Dabalī, dabūḥ | Munch |
| Palace | लाय्कू | Lāykū | Durbar |
| Office | ज्यास: | Jyāsaḥ | Karyalaya |
| Shop | पस: | Pasah | Pasal |
| Courtyard | चूक | Cūka | Chowk |
| Brain | न्ह्यपु | Nhyapu | Dimag |
| Heart | नुगः | Nugaḥ | Mutu |
| Water | लः, ना | Laḥ, Nā | Pani |
| Rain | वा | Vā | Varsha'aa |
| Wife's parents place | Sasli | Sasurali | |
| I don't understand Nepal Bhasa | जित: नेपाल भाँः मवः | Jitaḥ Nēpāl bhaah mawaḥ | Ma'laee Nepal Bhasa aa'un'da'een'a |
| Earthquake | Bho'khabo | Bhukampa | |
| Wall | आंग | Aanga | Bhitta |
| Cock | गोङ्ङ | Gongnga | Bhale |
| Hen | खा | Khaa | Kukhuri |
| Mattress | ला सा | La sa | Gundri |
| Pillow | फोङ्ङा | Fong nga | Sirani |
| Broom | तूफी | Toofi | Dulahi |
| Hair | साः | Saaah | Kapal/Raun |
| Turmeric | ह लू | Huhloo | Besar |
| Ginger | पाः लू | Paah Loo | Aduwa |
| Fat | ल्होङ | Hlonga | Moto |
| Thin | गाइसी | Gaishi | Dublo |
| Healthy-looking | स्वे जिऊ | Swe jiu | Swastha |
| Unhealthy-looking | स्वे मजिऊ | Swe majiu | Aswastha |
| Agricultural Field | बुँ | Buu | Khet |
| Wind | फे | Faye | Hawa |
| Soil | चाः | Chaa | Mato |
| Sugary | चाः कू | Chaa Ku | Guliyo |
| Sweet(less Sugary) | माः कू | Maa Ku | Mitho |
| Sour | पङ् | Pung | Amilo |
| Bitter | खाई | Khai | Tito |
| Shoes | लकाङ | Lakang | Jutta |
| Shirt | नङ् | Nung | Kamij |
| Mud | भेते | Bheytay | Hilo |
| Place for Cremation | खोडे | Khode | Ghat |
| Bridge | ताँ | Taah | Pul |
| River | खुसी | Khusi | Nadi |
| Rivulet/Stream | ढचा | Dhacha | |
| Well | तुन्छी | Tunchhi | ईऩार |
| Ground Floor | छेली | Cheeli | Bhuin tala |
| First Floor | माताङ् | Matang | Pahilo tala |
| Second Floor | चुता | Chuta | Dosro tala |
| Attic Floor | बैग | Baiga | |
| Roof | कशी | Kassi | Chhat |
| Glass | न्हेकङ् | Nyekang | Gilas |
| Toilet | मः ला | Ma Laa | Charpi |
| Road | लँा | Laa | Sadak |
| Hole | ह्व/प्व | Ho/Pyo | Pwal |
| Ditch | गः | Ga | Khanti |
| Grass | घ्याँ | Ghya | Ghans |
| Scarecrow | ख्याः | Khyaa | |
| Day | न्हीछी | Nhichi | Din |
| Night | चःछी | Chhachi | Rat |
| Month | लःछी | Lacchi | Mahina |
| Year | डाः छी | Daachi | Varsh |
| Three Month | सो ला | Swo laa | Tin mahina |
| Six Month | खु ला | Khoo Laa | Chha mahina |
| Spring | बोङा | Bongnga | |
| More | यक्को | Yekko | Dherai |
| Little | न्यसुन | Nesun | Thorai |
| Not Enough | म ग्गा | Mugga | Aparyapta |
Relationship
| English | Devanagari | Roman script | Khas Bhasa (Nepali) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mother | मां | Māṁ | Aa'maa |
| Father | अबु | Abu | Ba'aa |
| Grandmother | अजी | Ajī | Ba'jya'ee |
| Grandfather | अजा | Ajā | Baaj'ey |
| Brother (Elder) | दाजु | Dāju | Dai |
| Brother (younger) | किजा | Kijā | Bhai |
| Sister (elder) | तता | Tatā | Didi |
| Sister (younger) | कें | Kēṁ | Bahini |
| Uncle (Mother's brother) | पाजु | Pāju | Mama |
| Uncle (Father's brother) | त: बा / क: का | Taḥbā (elder brother), Kaḥkā (younger brother) | Thool-buwa (elder brother) / Kaka (younger brother) |
| Uncle (Father's sister's husband) | पाजु | Pāju | Phoophajyu |
| Aunty (Father's sister) | निनी | Ninī | Phoophoo |
| Aunty (Mother's sister) | त:मा | Taḥmā | Thool-ama (elder sister)/Kanchhi amaa (younger sister) |
| Aunty (Father's elder brother's wife) | त: मा | Taḥmā | Thooli-ama |
| Aunty (Father's younger brother's wife) | मामा | Mama | Kaki |
| Aunty (Mother's brother's wife) | मल्जु | Malju | Maijyu |
| Son | काय: | Kāyaḥ | Chhora |
| Daughter | मयाह: | Mayāhaḥ | Chhori |
| Nephew (Brother's son) | कय:चा | Kayaḥcā | Bhatija |
| Niece (Brother's daughter) | मयाह: चा | Mayāhahcā | Bhatiji |
| Nephew (Sister's son) | भिन्चा | Bhincā | Bhanja |
| Niece (Sister's daughter) | भिन्चा | Bhincā | Bhanji |
| Grandchild | छ्ये | Chyē | Nati/Natini (male/female) |
| Daughter-in-law | ब्हऔ | Bḥa'au | Buhari |
| Son-in-law | जीलाजं | Jīlājaṁ | Jwaeen (nasalised 'n') |
| Father's in Law | ससः बा | Sasaḥ bā (Father) / Suh'suhmaa (Mother) | Suhsurobaa (Father) / Saasoo (Mother) |
| Mother's in Law | ससः मा | Sasaḥma (Mother) | Suhsura (Father) / Saasoo (Mother) |
Cuisine
Common
| English | Devanagari | Romanized | Boiled Rice | जा: | Jāh | Rice | जा:कि | Jāki | Paddy | वा: | Wa | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheat | छो: | Chho | |||||||||||
| Beaten Rice | बजी | Vajī | |||||||||||
| Meat (Buff / Chicken / Lamb / Pork) | ला: (मेइ ला / खाई ला / दुकुचिउ ला / फाई ला) | Lāh (mei lah / khai lah/ dukuchiu lah / fai lah) | |||||||||||
| Dried Meat | सुकुला: | Sukulāh | |||||||||||
| Yogurt | धौ: | Dhau |
Special
| Devanagari | Roman | Ingredient |
|---|---|---|
| य:मरी | Yah Marī | Rice Flour, Chaku (sweet) or Maa (black gram) or Muu (green gram) |
| चट्टामरी | chatanmari | Rice Flour Pan Cake |
| त:खा | Tah Khā | Terrin of Buffalo meat |
| सन्या:खूना | Sahnyāh khūnā | Terrin of buffalo meat and tiny fresh water fish |
| से ला: | Sēlāh | Buffalo liver |
| छोय् ला: | Chōy lāh | Meat (mainly Buffalo, Duck), chiles, onion, oil |
| बारा व | Vārā Wo | Maa (black gram patty) or Muu (green gram patty) |
| सम:य बजी | Samah ya bajī | Bāra, (boiled) egg*, fresh water fish, black eyed peas, black soybeans, beaten rice, roasted beaten rice, ginger, choylah, potatoes etc. |
| थ्वँ: | Thwoh | Rice wine |
| सिसा पुसा | Sisapussa | Salad (radish, peas, etc) |
- Duck egg for special occasion (rituals, sagun/sagā, birthday)
Animal names
| English | Devanagari | Roman script | Khas Bhasa (Nepali) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Ant(Bigger) | ईमू/याङ् | Īmū/Yang | Kamila |
| Red Ant(Smaller) | सापेङ् | Sapeng | Kamila |
| Lice | सिः | Si | jumrra |
| Baby Lice | सँा सिः | Saa Si | |
| Buffalo | मे | Mehn (nasalised "n") | Rang'o/Bhaise |
| Bull | Dohn (nasalised "n") | Goru | |
| Cat | भौ | Bhou | Biralo |
| Cockroach | Bili | Sāngla | |
| Cow | Sahn (silent "n") | Gai | |
| Crow | को | Kō | Kag |
| Dog | खिचा | Khicā | Kukur |
| Duck | हें/ | Hēṁ/Hyaa | Hahns (slightly nasalised 'n') |
| Eagle | Emaa | Cheel | |
| Earthworm | Doobui | Gadeaula | |
| Snakes | Ta:ha | Sarpa | |
| Elephant | Kisi | Hatti | |
| Fish | ङा | Nyaa | Machha |
| Hen/Chicken | खा: | Khāh | Kukhura |
| Horse | सल: | salaah | ghoda |
| Kite | Bhutima | Changaa | |
| Monkey | माक: | Mākah | Badar |
| Mouse | छू: | Chūh | Musa |
| Owl | Bhundru | Latokosero | |
| Pigeon | वखूँ | Vakhūm | Parewa |
| Pig | फा | Phā | Sungur |
| Sparrow | चकूचा | Cakūh cha | Bhangero (nasalised 'n') |
| Toad/Frog | बय्याँ | Bayyāng | Bhyaguta |
| Tiger | धुँ | Dhyun | Bagh |
| Fox | ध्व | Dhwo | syal |
| Mosquito | पाँती | Paanti | lamkhutè |
| Lizard | म्हाल्िङचा | Mhabilingcha | |
| House-fly | भूजिङ | Vuzing | jhinga |
| Grasshopper | बुँइचा | Buicha | fatiangra |
| Goat | डुगु | Cholecha | vedda |
| Sheep | फै | Fai | bakhara |
| Rabbit | खराचा | Kharacha | Kahraio |
| Bee | हँा | Haan |
Color
| English | Devanagari | Roman script | Khas Bhasa (Nepali) |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | तूयु | Tuyu | Seto |
| Black | हाकू | Haku | Kalo |
| Red | ह्याँगू | Hyau'n (nasalised 'n') | Rato |
| Green | वाङ्गू | Wau'n (nasalised 'n') | Hariyo |
| Blue | वओंचुगु | Wo'chu'n (nasalised 'n') | Nilo |
| Yellow | म्हासू | Mhasu'n (nasalised 'n') | Pahelo |
| Brown | सियू | Siyugu (nasalised 'n') | Khairo |
Few words--origin--meaning
(From the review article on "Dictionary of classical Newari compiled
from manuscript sources." With financial support of Toyota Foundation,
Japan, Nepal Bhasa Dictionary Committee. Cwasā Pāsā. Kathmandu: Modern
Printing Press, Jamal 2000, pp. XXXV, 530. ISBN 99933-31-60-0")
| Words | Origin (orig. word) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| La:h (ल:) | Pali (Jala:h) | Water |
| Kaa:sa | Pali | Bronze |
| Kaji | Arabic | leader |
| Khaapaa (खापा) | Pali | Door (Original meaning in Pali was "door panel") |
| Kimi (कीमी) | Sanskrit (Krmi) | Hookworm |
| Adha:vata | Persian | Malice |
| Ka:h | Pali (Kana) | Blind (Original meaning in Pali was "one-eyed") |
| Dya:h | Pali (Dev) | Deity |
| Nhya:h | Pali (Na:sika) | Nose |
| Mhu:tu | Pali (Mukhena) | Mouth |
| Khicha: (खिचा) | Pali (Kukkura) | Dog |
Nepal Bhasa and Newar community
Nepal Bhasa is the mother tongue of Newars. Newars form a very
diverse community with people from the Mongolian, Aryan and—according to
some—even Dravidian races. Newars follow Hinduism and Buddhism, and are
subdivided into 64 castes. The language therefore plays a central
unifying role in the existence and perpetuation of Newar community. The
poet Siddhidas Mahaju concluded that the Newar community and its rich
culture can only survive if Nepal Bhasa survives (भाषा म्वासा जाति
म्वाइ).
Relative to many other languages of Nepal, Nepal Bhasa enjoyed
promotions in various areas since Kathmandu become the capital of the
country, as the Newar community rose in ranks throughout the government,
royal courts and businesses.
Nepal Bhasa faced a decline during the Shah era when this language
was replaced by Khas Kura (later renamed Nepali) as the national
language and after the introduction of the "One nation, one language"
policy of King Mahendra. The then Royal Nepalese Government spent a lot
for Sanskrit education and a Sanskrit University was approved during
those times—although Sanskrit is virtually not spoken by anyone in
Nepal—because Khas Kura's roots lie in Sanskrit. There were very few
resources available then for even primary-level education in Nepal
Bhasa. There were no programs broadcast in Nepal Bhasa in the state
radio, Radio Nepal. Even after programs in Nepal Bhasa began to be
broadcast, the language was referred to as "Newari", a term considered
derogatory by Newars. Even today, there are no programs in Nepal Bhasa
in the state television, Nepal Television, although it broadcasts a
Bollywood Hindi movie every Saturday (although it is used as lingua
franca in Terai, Hindi is mother tongue of less than 1% population in
Nepal) and often Pakistani serials (in Urdu) as well. The Supreme Court
of Nepal has also banned any use of Nepal Bhasa even for trivial matters
in official purposes of any part of Nepal. These factors have led to a
resentment among Newar community and a feeling of "second class" citizen
in one's own state.
This fact has been used for political advantages by many parties of
Nepal. Many slogans are translated into Nepal Bhasa, although very few
important documents of political parties are ever translated into Nepal
Bhasa
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