Western Tamang - Nepali Dictionary
Tamang is a vibrant language spoken by the Tamang speech community, ranking as the fifth most spoken language in Nepal with 5.1 percent of the population according to the 2011 Census. It falls within the Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family. The majority of Tamang speakers reside around the Kathmandu Valley, though the Tamang ethnic group is spread across various districts in Nepal. In 2058 VS, the Nepal government recognized Tamang as an indigenous ethnic community, highlighting its cultural significance. This recognition has been reinforced in subsequent constitutions, including the interim constitution of 2063 VS and the 2072 VS constitution, which have designated Tamang as a national language.
The 'Do:ra song' narrates the migration of Western Tamang people from Tibet, entering Nepal through 'Same' in the Himalayas. This song also references other Tamang communities located in places like 'Rhirhap', 'Gyagarden', 'Bompo', and 'Lambu', all situated relative to 'Same'. In Tamang cosmology, as described by Lama, Bompo, and Lambu, the northern part of the Earth is considered its tail ('me'), while the southern part is the head. This belief influences their burial practices, where the deceased are positioned with their heads towards the south before cremation. The term 'Same' symbolizes 'the tail of the Earth', reflecting a significant cultural concept. The journey from 'the tail' to 'the head' symbolizes significant shifts in Tamang culture.
Despite lacking a standardized grammar, Tamang is characterized by two main dialects: Eastern Tamang and Western Tamang. Eastern Tamang, spoken east of the Trisuli River and originating from the Langtang Himal, is known as 'Syarba'. Conversely, 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 the result of collaborative efforts by members of the Western Tamang speech community from the aforementioned districts. It translates each Tamang word into Nepali, serving as a valuable tool for comparative linguistic studies. However, the number of Western Tamang speakers is declining due to the pervasive influence 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.
Continuous improvement is essential for this dictionary. The speech community, stakeholders, readers, organizations, and other concerned parties are encouraged to provide insightful comments and feedback to enhance its quality and utility.
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