Lhomi

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A language of Nepal

ISO 639-3
lhm
Alternate Names
Lhoket, Lhomi dzyükki keccyok, Lhomiki keccyok, “Bho Te bhasha” (pej.), “Kar Bhote” (pej.), “Kath Bhote” (pej.)
Autonym
ल्होमी‎ (Lhomi)
User Population

7,000 in Nepal (2014 SIL), increasing. Ethnic population: 15,000. Total users in all countries: 9,320.

Location

Kosi province: Sankhuwasabha district, Bhotkhola municipality, Chepuwa, Chyamtang, Gumba, Hatiya, Hungung, Namase, Rukuma, Shiprung, Simbung, and Syaksila villages, along the Arun river.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing). Language of recognized indigenous nationality: Lhomi (Shingsawa).

Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, Central Bodish, Central, gTsang
Dialects

None known. Lexical similarity: 69% with Dolpo [dre], 68% with Loke [loy], 66% with Walungge [ola], 65% with Lhasa Tibetan [bod] and Kyerung (Kyirong) [kgy], 64% with Nubri [kte], 60% with Helambu Sherpa [scp], 58% with Sherpa [xsr], 57% with Jirel [jul].

Typology

SOV; postpositions; noun head initial; masculine and feminine (limited class); content q-word precedes the main verb; 1 prefix, up to 3 suffixes; clause constituents indicated by case-marking; split ergativity; aspect; no passives or voice; tonal (tense-lax); 23 consonant and 8 vowel phonemes; evidentiality is a salient feature of Lhomi syntax.

Language Use

Vigorous. Home, friends, religion; mixed use: Work. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Central Tibetan [bod]. Also use Nepali [npi], especially educated people (fluently), women (increasingly), and 90% of men for trade. Used as L2 by Eastern Tamang [taj], Gurung [gvr], Khaling [klr], Naaba [nao].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 25%. Literacy rate in L2: 30%. Bilingual literacy campaign should impact adult (and women’s) literacy rate in Lhomi and Nepali [npi]. Literature. Newspapers. Videos. NT: 1995. Agency: Nepal Lhomi Society.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Lhomi
Writing

Devanagari script [Deva].

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Buddhist, Christian.

Also spoken in:

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