Nepal is a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-religious, multicultural country with geographical diversities. The Constitution of Nepal has recognized as languages of the nation of all mother tongues / all languages spoken in the country.
If people ask the question, “How many languages are spoken in Nepal,2078?” It simple answer is, there are over 131 languages spoken as mother tongues in Nepal. Although, the Nepali language is set by the Constitution of Nepal, as the official language of the Federal government of Nepal in Devanagari script. A get-together of other languages as the language of the nation, each with its unique history and cultural significance, contributes to the country’s important linguistics.
Real Also: 131 Languages spoken in Nepal 2078
Nepali language, the most spoken language in Nepal, with its harmonious cadence and difficult grammar, is spoken by over 44% of the population. It serves as the official working language as long as it bridges communication gaps across the country’s diverse ethnic groups.
The Nepali language is also known as the Khash language or Khash Bhasha. It uses the Devanagari script for writing. It has its own grammar structure, history, vocabulary, literature, and linguistic values. Historically, this language was promoted by the monarchs such as King Mahendra and King Tribhuwan. It became a dominant language in Nepal.
Maithili language, the second most widely spoken language, is mainly used in the eastern terai part of Nepal namely Madhesh and Kosi provinces, as well as neighboring countries north of India and it holds cultural and literary significance.
Bhojpuri language, spoken by over 5% of the population, is another important language, primarily used in the southern plains, it is also spoken in Madhesh Province and Uttar Pradesh and Bihar of India. The basic script of this language is Devanagari. It has history, vocabulary, literature, and linguistic importance.
Tamang, Newari, and Tharu, each spoken by over 3% of the population, are also prominent languages, reflecting the country’s linguistic diversity. These languages are spoken in the special community such as Tamang by the Tamang community, Newari by the Newari community especially in the Kathmandu Valley, and Tharu language by the Tharu Community.
The remaining top ten spoken languages include Bajjika, Magar, Dotyali, Urdu, and Awadhi. These languages, each with their distinct characteristics and cultural roots, contribute to Nepal’s linguistic variety.
Despite their significant tradition, many of Nepal’s languages face the threat of risk. Out of the 131 languages, only 19 have more than 100,000 speakers in Nepal. Factors such as globalization, urbanization, and language shift contribute to this decline, affecting a risk to the preservation of Nepal’s linguistic diversity. These languages are not promoted by the government, and not included in their policies and programs for their development.
Read Also; 37 Languages are Endangered in Nepal
The Language Commission of Nepal has taken steps to redevelop threatened languages. The Language Commission has been promoting these languages by using them in education, media, and official domains. The finding of six additional languages in 2019, highlights the ongoing efforts to document and preserve Nepal’s languages.