Kuke
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A language of Nepal
900 (2011 census).
Gandaki province: Gorkha district, Chum Nubri rural municipality, Chhak, Kwak, Namrung, and Prok villages.
6a (Vigorous).
Bihi, Chak, Rana. Varieties spoken in Chhak and Kwak villages are reportedly similar to each other and different from all other villages. Lexical similarity: 62%–76% among dialects, 39%–49% with Southern Ghale [ghe], 45%–61% with Northern Ghale [ghh], 18% with Gurung [gvr], 16%–23% with Tamang varieties, 13%–31% with Nubri [kte], 23%–27% with Tsum [ttz], 22%–27% with Kyerung (Kyirong) [kgy], 19%–24% with Tibetan [bod].
SOV.
Some Tibetan religious books translated into Kuke by priests. Home, friends; mixed use: Work. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Many also use Nubri [kte]. Also use Central Tibetan [bod]. Also use Nepali [npi], to communicate with Northern and Southern Ghale speakers, but with minimal proficiency in Bihi village.
Literacy rate in L2: 5%.
Referred to as thieves’ language, a mixture of nearby languages. Buddhist, Hindu.