Western Tamang Dictionary

Western Tamang - Nepali Dictionary

Tamang is a vibrant language spoken by the Tamang community, which ranks as the fifth most spoken language in Nepal, according to the 2011 Census, with 5.1% of the population. This language falls under the Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan family. The Tamang community is predominantly located around the Kathmandu Valley, though members of this ethnic group can be found throughout Nepal. In recognition of their unique cultural identity, the Nepal government officially recognized Tamang as an indigenous ethnic community in 2058 VS. Both the interim constitution of 2063 VS and the recent constitution of 2072 VS have prioritized Tamang as a national language.

The 'Do:ra song' narrates the migration of Western Tamang people from Tibet into Nepal via 'Same' in the Himalayas. This migration has led to the establishment of Tamang communities in places such as 'Rhirhap', 'Gyagarden', below 'Bompo' and 'Lambu', and just above 'Same'. In Tamang cosmology, as described by Lama, Bompo, and Lambu, the Earth's tail is believed to be in the north and its head in the south. This belief influences their funeral practices, where the deceased's head is positioned towards the south before cremation. The term 'Same' is derived from 'Sa' (Earth) and 'me' (Tail), symbolizing 'the tail of the Earth'. It is noted that the journey from the tail to the head signifies significant cultural shifts.

Despite lacking a standardized grammar, Tamang is divided into two main dialects: Eastern and Western. Eastern Tamang, originating from the Langtang Himal region east of the Trisuli River, is known as 'Syarba'. In contrast, Western Tamang, spoken in districts such as Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Lamjung, Chitawan, and Kanchanpur, is referred to as 'Nhurba' or 'Nhuppa'.

This bilingual dictionary is a collaborative effort by members of the Western Tamang community from the aforementioned districts. Each Tamang word, the source language, is translated into Nepali, the target language, making this dictionary a valuable tool for comparative linguistic studies. However, the number of Western Tamang speakers is declining due to the dominance of Nepali, the lingua franca. This shift poses a significant threat to the survival of Western Tamang as a mother tongue, underscoring the importance of this dictionary in the preservation, promotion, and development of the language.

Lastly, there is ample opportunity for enhancing this dictionary. The Western Tamang community, stakeholders, readers, organizations, and other interested parties are encouraged to provide constructive feedback and suggestions to aid in its improvement and growth.

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Last updated on Sep 29, 2024

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