Volunteer Society Nepal : The best experience for volunteers, the best value for Nepal.
The official language of Nepal, Nepali, is widely spoken by the majority of the population. It belongs to the Indo-Aryan language family and shares close similarities with Hindi and Bengali. Nepali has a significant historical background and has been influenced by Sanskrit as well as the languages of neighboring countries like Tibet and India. Nepali is characterized by its highly structured nature, encompassing unique grammar and pronunciation rules. It is primarily written in the Devanagari script, which is also utilized for Hindi and Sanskrit. With a total of 12 vowels and 36 consonants, Nepali is spoken by a global community of over 17 million individuals.
In addition to Nepali Language, Nepal’s constitution recognizes several other official languages. These include Maithili, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang, and Newari. Maithili is predominantly spoken in the eastern Terai region, while Bhojpuri is spoken in the southern Terai region. Tharu is spoken in both the Terai region and the hills, and Tamang is spoken in the central and eastern parts of Nepal. Newari is primarily spoken in the Kathmandu valley and its surrounding areas.
LEARN NEPALI LANGUAGE IN ITS NATIVE COUNTRY, IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITYE!!
Volunteer Society Nepal in Kathmandu offers an exceptional opportunity to immerse yourself in the Nepali language. Enhance your language skills this summer by joining us for an exciting program where you can learn Nepali in its native country. Immerse yourself in the local community and put your knowledge into practice as you explore shops, dine at restaurants, and savor Nepal-grown coffee or special Nepalese “chiya” at local cafes.
In your classes, you will have the opportunity to engage in one-on-one conversation sessions with native Nepali speakers. Through these sessions, you will develop your ability to communicate with individuals about various captivating aspects of Nepalese life. These topics encompass the diverse religious practices, enticing cuisine, close-knit family bonds, and the cultural transformations brought about by advancements in communication and travel.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Participate in our ‘Basic Nepali lesson for travelers’ instructed by our literacy teacher Anjeela and acquire the essential phrases to communicate with the locals, allowing you to travel with ease and avoid paying ‘tourist price’ to taxi drivers. Moreover, learning a bit of Nepalese will enable you to establish long-lasting friendships during your stay in Nepal.
CLASS SIZE:
Class size is generally limited to two in the Basic Course. Each learner is given equal opportunity to learn and practice. If someone has a special learning preference or difficulty, individual Classes can be arranged. Additional Classes can be arranged for those who prefer to learn at a slower pace. Orientation and script classes are conducted in groups.
As an essential component of the Nepali courses, participants are accommodated with local Nepali families meticulously chosen by the Volunteer Society Nepal. This immersive arrangement offers students a comprehensive exposure to the Nepali language and an opportunity to immerse themselves in the local community. The families generously provide breakfast and dinner to the students. In the event that students prefer not to reside with a Nepali family, they have the option to decline this service and make their own arrangements for accommodation and meals.
History Of Nepali Language
The language’s history can be traced back to approximately 500 years ago, when the Khas settlers migrated to the East and settled in the lower valleys of the Gandaki Basin. They specifically chose this region due to its suitability for rice cultivation. Notably, one of their extended families established a settlement in a small area known as Gorkha, situated between Kathmandu and Pokhara. In 1700, Prithvi Narayan Shah united various hilly tribes, including the Gurungs, Magars, and others, forming an army. This formidable force successfully conquered numerous small principalities located in the foothills of the Himalayan ranges.
As a result of the aforementioned expansion, which primarily occurred in the northern, western, and southern regions, the growing state found itself in conflict with both China and Britain. This conflict led to wars that ultimately resulted in the contraction of Nepal’s territory to its present-day borders. Despite this territorial reduction, both China and Britain recognized the strategic importance of Nepal as a buffer state and refrained from further attempts to diminish its land. Over time, Nepal emerged as a hub of political activity and a significant region extending beyond the Kathmandu Valley. Additionally, the language of Gurkha, known as Gorkhali, eventually evolved into Nepali.
Prithvi Narayan’s notable accomplishment was the successful capture of Kathmandu, a predominantly urban area situated in the eastern region of the Gandaki Basin. This region, known as Nepal at the time, became the new capital under Prithvi Narayan’s rule. From this strategic location, Prithvi Narayan and his successors expanded their territory towards the east, encompassing the Koshi basin to the north of the Tibetan Plateau, as well as the plains of North India to the south. Additionally, their influence extended westward across the Bheri/Karnali basin and beyond.
The original homeland of the Khas was eventually replaced by the Gorkha, establishing it as their political and military headquarters. The language Khashura was then transformed into Gorkhali, signifying the language of the Gorkhas. As Nepal emerged as a prominent political center, Gorkhali was later renamed Nepali. A copper plate inscription, dating back to 1280 B.S, serves as historical evidence of the Krachalya Kings’ triumph over the Kedar land of Gadawal, solidifying the Sija’s regime. Upon studying the aforementioned inscription, sources revealed that the Nepali language originated in Gorkha and Gadawal. Linguist records from that era, particularly those of Balkrishna Pokharel, indicate that the language was utilized during the Kirat era until 1382 B.S. This information was documented in a Maithali book titled “Barnaratnakar” by Simrangaud King Harisingh Dev, also known as “Pandit Jyotirishwor.”
Many centuries ago, before the unification of Nepal, the Nepali language was relied upon by kings and rulers of various nations for communication, as evidenced by records in a book. Additionally, the language was used extensively for writing treaties, sending letters, and making agreements. Even during the unification process led by Prithvi Narayan Shah, Nepali was the language of choice for communication with monarchs of other states, including baise, Limbuwan, Khumbhuhang, Chaubise, and Apungi. As a result, Nepali became the primary language for inter-caste communication.
There were numerous archives indicating that Prithvi Narayan Shah, prior to the unification of Nepal, utilized the Nepali language when conversing with Laxminarsingh Malla, the King of Kantipur, and his son, Pratap Malla. Additionally, there are various other pieces of evidence suggesting that the kings Jagat Prakash Malla, Bhupatendra Malla, Bhaskar Malla, Pratap Malla, and Jayaprakash Malla employed the language in all official correspondences. It is worth noting that before this period, the language was predominantly used by smaller states, but Prithvi Narayan Shah is credited with its widespread adoption during the unification campaign.
The historian Nayaraj Panta has provided numerous evidences indicating that the Nepali language served as the primary means of correspondence during the Malla dynasty. One such evidence is a stone inscription found in the Bishwonath Temple, constructed by Bhim Malla and written in Nepali. This inscription, dating back to the year 761 according to the Newari calendar, was discovered in a Dabali located in Kathmandu during the reign of Laxminarsingh Malla. These findings highlight the extensive historical usage of the Nepali language in the region, predating the efforts of Prithvi Narayan Shah.
Nepali is a language of great wealth.
Nepal possesses a wealth of language, resulting in a diverse range of notable literature. In the latter half of the 19th century, Sundarananda Bara authored the Adhyatma Ramayana in Nepali. Bhanubhakta is renowned for his rendition of the epic Ramayana in Nepali. Additionally, there exists a popular collection of folk stories known as Birsikka in the language. In more recent times, a version of The Holy Bible was translated into Nepali. Furthermore, the language boasts esteemed figures such as Poudyal, Devkota, and Sama, who have made significant contributions to Nepali literature. Presently, Nepali is written in the Devanagari script and is easily understood by speakers of Urdu and Hindi.
The Nepali language is spoken not only in Nepal but also holds prominence in India (specifically the North-Eastern part) and Bhutan. It can be traced back to the Indo-European, Indo-Aryan, Pahari, Eastern Pahari, and Indo-Iranian language families. The primary script utilized for writing Nepali is the Devanagri script.
The earliest recorded book written in the Nepali language, known as Tantrajkyan, dates back to the year 1518 AD. Similarly, the first Nepali song, titled Walangata Simule Swambaraya, was composed between the years 1523 and 1550 AD in the region of Pranmol Mila. Moving forward, the first one-act play in Nepali, named Ekadahi Brata, was performed in the year 1633 AD by Sidhhinarasingha. It is worth noting that the earliest drama records were produced by Jagat Prakash Malla, also known as Mooldev Shashidev in Nepali.
Nepali, like Hindi and Sanskrit, is written in the Devanagari script. Additionally, the language has historical records of using the Takri script, primarily in the western region of Nepal, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Nepal is also familiar with the Bhujimol and Ranjana scripts. The literary development in Nepal occurred within a relatively short period of approximately 100 years during the nineteenth century. The contributions of Pudyal, Sama, and Devkota, three esteemed figures, played a significant role in elevating the status of Nepali to that of other global languages.
What is the number of individuals who speak Nepali Language?
Approximately one-third of Nepal’s populace communicates in their native language.
Approximately 27 million individuals worldwide speak the language, with around 21 million residing in Nepal, as reported by the 2021 Census. Nepali is predominantly spoken in the hilly regions of Nepal and throughout the South Himalaya. Pahad, situated in the western part of the country, serves as the primary region where this language is spoken. Nepali is now widely utilized, including within the government. It serves as the native language for the country’s expanding population and is exclusively employed in its courts.
It has been approximated that approximately 35% of Bhutan’s population, including displaced Nepalese refugees, speak Nepali. The ethnic population speaking the language is estimated to be between 30% and 40%, with a significant majority residing in the South. Additionally, there is a substantial number of Nepali speakers in India, with over 500,000 individuals in the Sikkim and Darjeeling regions. In the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal, there exist other individuals who speak the Nepali language. The estimated number of Nepali speakers in Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling is approximately 1,400,000. In the North Eastern region of India, which encompasses the seven states of Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Manipur, and Arunachal Pradesh, there are millions of individuals who communicate in Nepali. Furthermore, a significant number of Nepali speakers have settled in the metropolitan and cosmopolitan cities of Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Visakhapatnam. As of 2006, the recorded number of individuals who speak Nepali as their mother tongue is around 20 million.
Hence, based on the aforementioned information, it becomes apparent that Nepali holds a prominent position as both a widely spoken and revered language among Nepalis. This is not limited to Nepal alone, but extends to various locations where Nepalis have established themselves. Moreover, Nepali boasts a profound cultural heritage and a traditional past.
Volunteer Society Nepal’s Nepali Language Class
Nepali Language, the official language of Nepal, is extensively spoken by the majority of the population. It is a member of the Indo-Aryan language family and exhibits strong resemblances to Hindi and Bengali. With a rich historical background, Nepali Language has been influenced by Sanskrit and the languages of neighboring countries such as Tibet and India.
The Volunteer Society Nepal offers you an exceptional opportunity to completely involve oneself in the learning Nepali language program. Our Learning Nepali Language Class provides an exhilarating chance to learn Nepali language from native language Trainer, enabling you to submerge yourself in the local Nepali community. We help you to venture out to shops, dining at restaurants, and savoring Nepal-produced coffee or unique Nepalese tea at local shops, you can apply your Nepali language abilities and genuinely encounter the Nepali culture.
We provide Nepali language Class and cultural training to help expats, volunteers, tourists and research students learn Nepali. Our tutors will also teach you about Nepali Culture and Society. Volunteer Society Nepal has highly qualified and experienced tutors and up-to-date learning materials. The tutors have had many years of experience teaching expatriates for the various International and National organizations.
In your Nepali Language classes, you will have the opportunity to engage in one-on-one conversation sessions with native Nepali Language speakers. Through these Nepali Language sessions, you will develop your ability to communicate with individuals about various captivating aspects of Nepalese life. These topics encompass the diverse religious practices, enticing cuisine, close-knit family bonds, and the cultural transformations brought about by advancements in communication and travel.