Nyeshangte
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A language of Nepal
12,000 (2021), decreasing. Ethnic population: 15,000 (2021).
Gandaki province: Manang district, Neshyang municipality, Braka, Ghyaru, Humde, Khangsar, Manang, Ngawal, Pisang, and Tengki villages.
6b (Threatened).
Western Nyeshangte (Prakaa), Eastern Nyeshangte. Very high intelligibility of Eastern Nyeshangte (spoken in Manang village) by Western Nyeshangte-speaking residents of Pisang village. Lexical similarity: 94% or greater with all varieties of Manangba.
SOV; postpositions; noun head both initial and final; no noun classes or genders; content q-word initial; 1 prefix, up to 2 suffixes; clause constituents indicated by case-marking; verbal affixation marks person (not strictly person, but aligns with evidentiality); ergativity; aspect; no passives or voice; tonal; 30 consonant and 6 (plus nasalized) vowel phonemes.
Fairly strong vitality. Some community involvement in language and culture preservation activities both in home area and in Kathmandu. Mixed use: Home, friends, work. Some young people, all adults. Positive attitudes. Also use Central Tibetan [bod], especially in religious domains. Also use English [eng], especially in local government schools. Also use Nepali [npi], especially for business and in local government schools.
TV. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts.
Language has Tibetan influence. Most speakers have the surname Gurung or Ghale, but they do not claim to be a part of these distinct ethnolinguistic groups. Buddhist.