Bagheli

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A language of India

ISO 639-3
bfy
Alternate Names
Bagelkhandi, Bhugelkhud, Gangai, Godwani Kawathi, Kenat, Kevat Boli, Kevati, Kewani, Kewat, Kewati, Kewot, Kumhari, Mandal, Mannadi, Riwai
Autonym
बघेली‎ (Bagheli)
User Population

2,680,000 (2011 census).

Location

Chhattisgarh state: Bilaspur and Koriya districts; Madhya Pradesh state: Anuppur, Chhindwara, Dindori, Jabalpur, Mandla, Panna, Rewa, Satna, Shahdol, Sidhi, and Umaria districts; Uttar Pradesh state: Allahabad, Banda, Mirzapur, and Hamirpur districts.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

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

Godwani, Kumhari, Rewa. Godwani (refers to Bagheli-speaking Gonds), Kumhari (refers to Bagheli-speaking Kumhar). Though geographic and caste variation is found in Bagheli, no dialect is prevalent. Rewa area variety is considered standard. Lexical similarity: 79%–99% between all Bagheli varieties; 72%–91% with Hindi [hin].

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Many also use English [eng]. Also use Hindi [hin], using it widely but not displacing Bagheli in any domain. 35% of Bagheli speakers have at least good general proficiency.

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 49% in Hindi [hin]. Had literature since 16th century. Radio. NT: 1821.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bagheli
Writing

Devanagari script [Deva].

Other Comments

Hindu.