Nepal is a diverse country with a rich linguistic heritage. There are over 123 languages spoken in Nepal, with Nepali being the official language. However, there are 10 major widely spoken languages in Nepal that are used by a significant portion of the population. These languages are Nepali, Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang, Magar, Gurung, Limbu, Newar and Rai. In this article, we will take a closer look at each of these languages, including their population, percentage, demographics, place where they are widely spoken and a brief history of the language.
- Nepali: Nepali is the official language of Nepal and is spoken by 44.6% of the population. It is an Indo-Aryan language and is written in the Devanagari script. Nepali is widely spoken throughout Nepal, as well as in Bhutan, Myanmar, and parts of India. It is also spoken by a significant population in the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Middle East. The history of Nepali can be traced back to the 10th century AD and it has undergone significant changes over the centuries.
- Maithili: Maithili is spoken by 8.2% of the population and is an Indo-Aryan language. It is primarily spoken in the eastern Terai region of Nepal, as well as in parts of India. Maithili has a rich literary tradition and has been in use for over 1000 years. It is written in the Maithili script, which is derived from the Brahmi script.
- Bhojpuri: Bhojpuri is spoken by 7.1% of the population and is an Indo-Aryan language. It is primarily spoken in the Terai region of Nepal, as well as in parts of India, such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Bhojpuri has a rich literary tradition and is known for its folk songs and poetry. It is written in the Devanagari script.
- Tharu: Tharu is spoken by 6.4% of the population and is a member of the Tibeto-Burman language family. It is primarily spoken in the Terai region of Nepal, as well as in parts of India. Tharu has a rich oral tradition and is known for its folk songs, folktales and proverbs. The Tharu people have a rich cultural heritage and their language reflects this. It is written in the Devanagari script.
- Tamang: Tamang is spoken by 5.9% of the population and is a member of the Tibeto-Burman language family. It is primarily spoken in the central and western regions of Nepal. Tamang has a rich oral tradition and is known for its folk songs and poetry. It is written in the Tamang script, which is derived from the Brahmi script.
- Magar: Magar is spoken by 5.5% of the population and is a member of the Tibeto-Burman language family. It is primarily spoken in the western and central regions of Nepal. Magar has a rich oral tradition and is known for its folk songs and poetry. It is written in the Devanagari script.
- Gurung: Gurung is spoken by 3.9% of the population and is a member of the Tibeto-Burman language family. It is primarily spoken in the western regions of Nepal. Gurung has a rich oral tradition and is known for its folk songs and poetry. It is written in the Devanagari script.
- Limbu: Limbu is spoken by 3.7% of the population and is a member of the Tibeto-Burman language family. It is primarily spoken in the eastern regions of Nepal, as well as in parts of India. Limbu has a rich oral tradition and is known for its folk songs and poetry. It is written in the Limbu script, which is derived from the Brahmi script.
- Newar: Newar is spoken by 3.2% of the population and is a member of the Tibeto-Burman language family. It is primarily spoken in the Kathmandu valley of Nepal. Newar has a rich literary tradition and is known for its rich poetry and prose. It is written in the Nepal Bhasa script, which is derived from the Brahmi script.
- Rai: Rai is spoken by 3.0% of the population and is a member of the Tibeto-Burman language family. It is primarily spoken in the eastern regions of Nepal. Rai has a rich oral tradition and is known for its folk songs and poetry. It is written in the Devanagari script.
In conclusion, these 10 major widely spoken languages in Nepal each have their own unique characteristics and cultural significance. They reflect the diversity and richness of Nepal’s linguistic heritage. Many of these languages have a rich oral tradition and are known for their folk songs and poetry. And it’s important to preserve these languages and cultures as they are an important part of Nepal’s identity.
| Language | Population | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Nepali | 17,564,094 | 44.6% |
| Maithili | 3,211,057 | 8.2% |
| Bhojpuri | 2,787,970 | 7.1% |
| Tharu | 2,506,924 | 6.4% |
| Tamang | 2,294,907 | 5.9% |
| Magar | 2,153,030 | 5.5% |
| Gurung | 1,541,030 | 3.9% |
| Limbu | 1,441,223 | 3.7% |
| Newar | 1,258,254 | 3.2% |
| Rai | 1,169,922 | 3.0% |
Please note, These are approximate figures and may vary depending on the sources.