Awadhi

A language of India

Abadi, Abohi, Ambodhi, Avadhi, Baiswari, Kojali, Kosali

अवधी‎ (Awadhi)

3,850,000 in India (2011 census). Total users in all countries: 4,397,400 (as L1: 4,352,000; as L2: 45,400).

Bihar state; Delhi; Madhya Pradesh state; Uttar Pradesh: Allahabad, Bahraich, Bara-Banki, Faizabad, Gonda, Kheri, Lucknow, Pratapgarh, Rae-Bareli, Sitapur, Sultanpur, and Unnao districts.

Language Maps

5* (Developing).

Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Eastern, East Central

Dialects

Gangapari, Mirzapuri, Pardesi, Uttari. Dialects are generally mutually intelligible. Lexical similarity: with Bhojpuri [bho], Rana Tharu [thr], Maithili [mai], Nepali [npi], Hindi [hin]. Also Sanskrit [san] borrowings.

Typology

SOV; postpositions; noun head final; 2 genders; clause constituents indicated by case-marking; verbal affixation marks person, number and genders of subject and object; no ergativity; tense and aspect; passives and voice; 30 consonant and 8 vowel phonemes; nontonal.

Language Use

Many also use English [eng]. Also use Hindi [hin].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 50%–75%. Education is in Hindi [hin]. Considerable epic literature. Hindu holy book, Ramcharitmanas, by Tulsi Das. Literature. Newspapers. Periodicals. Radio. TV. Videos. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 2000–2005.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Awadhi

Writing

Devanagari script [Deva].

Other Comments

‘Kosali’ is a name used for the Eastern Hindi group. Hindu, Muslim.

Also spoken in:

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Nepal

Language NameAvadhi

User Population

547,400 in Nepal, all users. L1 users: 502,000 in Nepal (2011 census), increasing. L2 users: 45,400 (2011 census).

Location

Lumbini province: Banke district, Duduwa, Janki, Khajura, Kohalpur, and Napalgunj municipalities; Bardiya district: Badhaiyatal and Gulariya municipalities; Dang district: Lamahi, Gadhawa, and Rajpur municipalities; Kapilvastu district: widespread; Rupandehi district: Gaidahawa and Lumbini municipalities.

Alternate Names

Abadhi, Abadi, Abohi, Ambodhi, Dehati, Deshi, Gawnaru, Koseli

Dialects

Chhatisgadhi, Baiswari.

Language Status

4 (Educational). Language of recognized indigenous nationality: Kushwadiya.

Language Use

Strongly vital, vigorous. Home, friends. Mixed use: Religion, work, education. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Hindi [hin]. Also use Nepali [npi]. Used as L2 by Bhojpuri [bho].

Language Development

Taught as subject in primary schools. Agency: Awadhi Cultural Development Council.

Other Comments

Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Sikh.

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Awadhi

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A language of India

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