Kiranti languages
Encyclopedia
The Mahakiranti or Maha-Kiranti ('Greater Kiranti') languages are a proposed intermediate level of classification of the Tibeto-Burman languages
. They are the languages most closely related to the Kiranti languages
proper, which are spoken by the ethnic Kirat (sometimes called Rai
). The conception of which languages belong in Mahakiranti—or if Mahakiranti is even a valid group—varies between researchers.
(Nepal Bhasa), Baram
, and Thangmi. Baram and Thangmi are clearly related, but it is not yet clear if the similarities they share with Newar demonstrate a 'Para-Kiranti' family, as Van Driem suggests, or if they are borrowings. In van Driem's conception, Bodic is a geographic term, but some Bodic families do appear to be related to each other. He sees Lepcha
, Lhokpu
, and the Magaric languages
(in the narrow sense, whether or not Chepangic proves to be Magar) as the Bodic languages closest to Mahakiranti.
Van Driem's conception of Mahakiranti:
Matisoff's Mahakiranti includes the Newar and the Magaric languages along with Kiranti. He groups Mahakiranti with the Tibeto-Kanauri languages
(in which he includes Lepcha) as Himalayish.
Bradley (1997) adds Magar and Chepang to van Driem's Mahakiranti and calls the result Himalayan. This, along with his "Bodish" (equivalent to Tibeto-Kanauri), constitutes his Bodic family.
Ethnologue
(15th ed.) posits Magaric, Chepang, and Newar alongside Kiranti; Mahakiranti is in turn related to Tibeto-Kanauri in a Himalayish branch, largely equivalent to other scholars' Bodic.
Benedict (1972) included Newari and Chepangic, but not Magaric. He mistakenly classified the Wayu language
(Vayu) as Chepangic, and thus named the family Bahing–Vayu.
, with many of the younger generation speaking it preferentially. With approximately one million speakers, Nepal Bhasa
is the most widely-spoken member of the Kiranti languages.
Tibeto-Burman languages
The Tibeto-Burman languages are the non-Chinese members of the Sino-Tibetan language family, over 400 of which are spoken thoughout the highlands of southeast Asia, as well as lowland areas in Burma ....
. They are the languages most closely related to the Kiranti languages
Kiranti languages
The Mahakiranti or Maha-Kiranti languages are a proposed intermediate level of classification of the Tibeto-Burman languages. They are the languages most closely related to the Kiranti languages proper, which are spoken by the ethnic Kirat...
proper, which are spoken by the ethnic Kirat (sometimes called Rai
Rai people
The Rai are one of Nepal's most ancient indigenous ethnolinguistic groups. They were Raya meaning king. Once someone was recognized as a ruler then Hindus awarded the title Raja, Rai, Raya, Malla etc. When the king Pritivi Narayan Shah couldn't defeat Kirant king , he somehow took them in...
). The conception of which languages belong in Mahakiranti—or if Mahakiranti is even a valid group—varies between researchers.
Conceptions of Mahakiranti
Van Driem (2001) posits that the Mahakiranti languages besides Kiranti proper are NewarNepal Bhasa
Nepal Bhasa is one of the major languages of Nepal, and is also spoken in India, particularly in Sikkim where it is one of the 11 official languages. Nepal Bhasa is the mother tongue of about 3% of the people in Nepal . It is spoken mainly by the Newars, who chiefly inhabit the towns of the...
(Nepal Bhasa), Baram
Baram language
Baram is a small Tibeto-Burman language of Nepal. Speakers are shifting to Nepali....
, and Thangmi. Baram and Thangmi are clearly related, but it is not yet clear if the similarities they share with Newar demonstrate a 'Para-Kiranti' family, as Van Driem suggests, or if they are borrowings. In van Driem's conception, Bodic is a geographic term, but some Bodic families do appear to be related to each other. He sees Lepcha
Lepcha language
Lepcha language, or Róng language , is a Himalayish language spoken by the Lepcha people in Sikkim and parts of West Bengal, Nepal and Bhutan.-Population:...
, Lhokpu
Lhokpu language
Lhokpu, also Lhobikha or Taba-Damey-Bikha, is one of the autochthonous languages of Bhutan spoken by the Lhop people. It is spoken in southwestern Bhutan along the border of Samtse and Chukha Districts. Van Driem leaves it unclassified as a separate branch within the Tibeto-Burman language...
, and the Magaric languages
Magaric languages
The Magaric languages, Magar and Kham, are a small proposed family of Tibeto-Burman languages spoken in Nepal. They are often classified as part of the Mahakiranti family, and Van Driem proposes that they are close relatives of Mahakiranti.Several neighboring languages with uncertain affiliation...
(in the narrow sense, whether or not Chepangic proves to be Magar) as the Bodic languages closest to Mahakiranti.
Van Driem's conception of Mahakiranti:
Matisoff's Mahakiranti includes the Newar and the Magaric languages along with Kiranti. He groups Mahakiranti with the Tibeto-Kanauri languages
Tibeto-Kanauri languages
The Tibeto-Kanauri languages, also called Bodish–Himalayish and Western Tibeto-Burman, are a proposed intermediate level of classification of the Tibeto-Burman languages, centered on the Tibetan and Kanauri languages...
(in which he includes Lepcha) as Himalayish.
Bradley (1997) adds Magar and Chepang to van Driem's Mahakiranti and calls the result Himalayan. This, along with his "Bodish" (equivalent to Tibeto-Kanauri), constitutes his Bodic family.
Ethnologue
Ethnologue
Ethnologue: Languages of the World is a web and print publication of SIL International , a Christian linguistic service organization, which studies lesser-known languages, to provide the speakers with Bibles in their native language and support their efforts in language development.The Ethnologue...
(15th ed.) posits Magaric, Chepang, and Newar alongside Kiranti; Mahakiranti is in turn related to Tibeto-Kanauri in a Himalayish branch, largely equivalent to other scholars' Bodic.
Benedict (1972) included Newari and Chepangic, but not Magaric. He mistakenly classified the Wayu language
Wayu language
Wayu, Vayu, or Hayu is a language spoken by about 1740 people in the Janakpur Zone of Nepal.According to Van Driem , Shafer mistakenly classified Wayu as a Chepang language, and this has carried through to Ethnologue.-References:...
(Vayu) as Chepangic, and thus named the family Bahing–Vayu.
History
Mahakiranti 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 Kiranti languages like Nepal Bhasa. Most speakers are bilingual in NepaliNepali language
Nepali or Nepalese is a language in the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European language family.It is the official language and de facto lingua franca of Nepal and is also spoken in Bhutan, parts of India and parts of Myanmar...
, with many of the younger generation speaking it preferentially. With approximately one million speakers, Nepal Bhasa
Nepal Bhasa
Nepal Bhasa is one of the major languages of Nepal, and is also spoken in India, particularly in Sikkim where it is one of the 11 official languages. Nepal Bhasa is the mother tongue of about 3% of the people in Nepal . It is spoken mainly by the Newars, who chiefly inhabit the towns of the...
is the most widely-spoken member of the Kiranti languages.