Western Tamang to Nepali Dictionary: A Linguistic Resource

Tamang, spoken by the Tamang community, ranks as Nepal's fifth most widely spoken language with 5.1% of the population according to the 2011 Census. This Tibeto-Burman language from the Sino-Tibetan family primarily flourishes around Kathmandu Valley, though Tamang communities thrive nationwide. Recognized as an indigenous ethnic group in 2058 BS, the Nepali government later affirmed Tamang's status as a national language in both the interim constitution (2063 BS) and current constitution (2072 BS).

The 'Do:ra song' traces Western Tamang migration from Tibet through the Himalayan region of 'Same'. Tamang settlement patterns reveal communities in locations like 'Rhirhap' and 'Gyagarden', positioned beneath 'Bompo' and 'Lambu' yet above 'Same'. Tamang cosmology interprets Earth's tail as northern and head as southern - reflected in funerary practices where bodies face upward with heads pointing south before cremation. Linguistically, 'Same' combines 'Sa' (Earth) and 'me' (tail), symbolizing Earth's extremity, embodying the cultural belief in transformation from tail to head.

Though lacking formal grammar standardization, Tamang exhibits two primary dialects: Eastern Tamang east of Trisuli River (originating near Langtang Himal) and Western Tamang spread across western districts. These regional varieties are distinguished as 'Syarba' (east) and 'Nhurba'/'Nhuppa' (west), with Western Tamang spoken in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Lamjung, Chitawan, and Kanchanpur districts.

This collaborative dictionary represents Western Tamang speakers' collective effort across seven districts. Presenting Tamang-Nepali translations facilitates comparative linguistics for researchers. Alarmingly, Western Tamang faces declining speaker numbers as Nepali's dominance grows - making this dictionary crucial for preserving this endangered mother tongue. Serving as both linguistic record and cultural preservation tool, it supports Western Tamang's revitalization efforts.

We welcome contributions to enhance this dictionary's development. Community members, stakeholders, readers, organizations, and authorities are invited to provide constructive feedback for future improvements.

What's New in Version 1.7

Last updated on Sep 29, 2024

Updated July 30, 2024
New Android SDK integration