Danuwar
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A language of Nepal
48,650, all users. L1 users: 45,800 (2011 census), decreasing. L2 users: 2,850 (2011 census). No monolinguals (Toba et al 2005).
Bagmati province: Kavrepalanchok, Lalitpur, Sindhuli, and Sindhupalchowk districts; Janakpur province: Bara, Rautahat, Dhanusa, Mahottari, Sarlahi, and Siraha districts; Kosi province: Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, and Udayapur districts.
6b (Threatened). Language of recognized indigenous nationality: Danuwar.
Kochariya (Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi), Done Danuwar (Kavre, Sindhupalchowk), Dukuchhap Danuwar (Lalitpur), Dolbar Danuwar (Terai). Kochariya do not identify ethnically with Danuwar. Kochariya dialect is possibly a separate language. Danuwar Kochariya in Rautahat and elsewhere is probably distinct from Danuwar [dhw]. Done Danuwar and Sindhuli/Dolbar Danuwar reportedly low intelligibility, but identify as speaking the same language. Lexical similarity: below 60% with Dewas Rai [dwz]. Dialects: Done Danuwar 54% with Dolbar Danuwar, 58% with Kochariya; Kochariya 76% with Dolbar Danuwar; Done Danuwar 65% with Nepali [npi].
SOV; postpositions; noun head final; 2 noun classes or genders; content q-word in situ; 1 prefix, up to 4 suffixes; clause constituents indicated by case-marking; verbal affixation marks person, number and gender of subject; ergativity; both tense and aspect; no passives and voice; nontonal; 29 consonant and 6 vowel phonemes.
Rapidly assimilating to Nepali [npi] (Van Driem 2007). Home, religion; mixed use: Friends, work. Some young people, all adults. Neutral attitudes. Also use Eastern Tamang [taj], especially at work and with friends in Kabhre district. Also use Nepali [npi], especially at work and with friends in Kabhre district.
Although some people are writing in Danuwari, no data is available on L1 literacy. Radio. Dictionary.
Hindu, traditional religion.