Bahing

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A language of Nepal

ISO 639-3
bhj
Alternate Names
Baying, Bayung, Ikke lo, Kiranti-Bayung, Pai lo, Radu lo, Rai
Autonym
बाहिङ‎ (bahing)
User Population

15,250, all users. L1 users: 11,700 (2011 census). L2 users: 3,550 (2011 census).

Location

Kosi province: Khotang district, Halesi Tuwachung municipality; Okhaldhunga district, Chisankhugadhi, Manebhanjyang, Molung, Siddhicharan, and Sunkoshi municipalities; Solukhumbu district: Nechasalyan municipality.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing). Language of recognized indigenous nationality: Rai.

Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Himalayan, Kiranti, Western
Dialects

Rumdali, Nechali, Tolacha, Moblocha, Hangu. 85% or above intelligibility among all dialects. Rumdali is best understood among all Bahing dialects (Lee et al 2005). Related to Sunwar [suz]. Lexical similarity: 83%–95% with dialects, 48% with Sunwar [suz] (Lee et al 2005).

Typology

SOV.

Language Use

Reportedly still used often by younger generation. Shift to Nepali [npi] relatively low (Winter and Hansson 1991); High vitality (Lee et al 2005). Home, friends, religion, work. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Many also use Nepali [npi] (Lee et al 2005). Used as L2 by Bantawa [bap], Nepali [npi], Thulung [tdh], Wambule [wme].

Language Development

Bahing orthography introduced through community-based development efforts. Two books published (2009). Bahing orthography being promoted for use by the whole Bahing community. Literature. Periodicals. Radio. NT: 2016. Agency: Bahing Kirat Mulukhim.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bahing
Writing

Devanagari script [Deva].

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Christian, Hindu.