Language NameMaithili
User Population4,085,000 in Nepal, all users. L1 users: 3,890,000 in Nepal (2011 census), increasing. 793,000 Bajjika, 3,090,000 Maithili (2011 census). L2 users: 195,000 (2011 census).
LocationJanakpur province: widespread; Kosi province: Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, and Udayapur districts.
Alternate NamesBihari, Dehati, Deshi, Maitili, Maitli, Methli, Thenthi, Tirhutia
DialectsBajjika, Bantar, Barei, Barmeli, Kawar, Kyabrat, Makrana, Tati, Dehati, Thenthi, Musahar. Dialect variation by caste (Brahmin vs. non-Brahmin) more than by geographic area. Functional intelligibility among all dialects. Bajjika listed as a separate language in Nepal census (2011); relationship with Maithili needs to be verified. Lexical similarity: 82–86% between Brahmin varieties in Morang, Saptari, Dhanusa and Sarlahi; 76–83% between non-Brahmin varieties in Morang, Saptari, Dhanusa and Sarlahi; 82–84% between Brahmin and non-Brahmin varieties in the same location.
Language UseSpoken by a wide variety of castes. Long literary tradition. A Maithili Academy in Patna, India. Maithili taught at L. N. Mithila University in Darbhanga, Patna University, India, and at Janakpur campus of Tribhuvan University, Nepal. Home, friends. Used by all. Most also use Hindi [hin]. Also use Bengali [ben]. Also use Bhojpuri [bho]. Also use English [eng]. Also use Nepali [npi]. Used as L2 by Angika [anp], Bhojpuri [bho], Eastern Tamang [taj], Kurux [kru], Mid-Eastern Tharu [thq], Rajbanshi [rjs], Santhali [sat].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 20%. Literacy rate in L2: 25%–50%. Educated read Hindi [hin], Nepali [npi], or English [eng]. If they can read Hindi or Nepali, they can read Maithili. Mother-tongue multilingual education and adult literacy programs have been carried out in Maithili communities throughout the Rajbanshi area. Taught as subject in primary schools.
