Nar Phu

Print

Primary tabs

A language of Nepal

ISO 639-3
npa
Alternate Names
Nar-Phu
User Population

800 (2021 J. Grimes). 200 in Phu village, 400 in Nar village, 200 in diaspora.

Location

Gandaki province: Manang district, Narphu municipality, Nar and Phu villages.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, West Bodish, Gurung-Tamang, Gurungic
Dialects

Nar (Lower Nar, Nar-Mä), Phu (Nar-Tö, Upper Nar). In a dialect continuum with Nyeshangte [nmm] and possibly intelligible with it.

Typology

SOV; postpositions; noun head initial; no noun classes or gender; content q-word in situ; 1 prefix, up to 2 suffixes; clause constituents primarily indicated by case-marking; tense and aspect; no passives or voice; tonal; 25 consonants, 8 simple vowels and 5 diphthongs.

Language Use

If work is locally oriented, then Nar-Phu used; Tibetan [bod] is the liturgical language, but one can hear Nar-Phu in certain contexts during religious festivals. Used by all. Many also use Central Tibetan [bod], especially men.

Language Development

Many men are literate in Classical Tibetan. Dictionary. Texts.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Nar Phu
Writing

Unwritten [Qaax].

Other Comments

See themselves as separate from Manangba and Gurung. Used as a secret language to confound Manangis and Gurungs who might otherwise understand their conversation (2002 M. Noonan). Buddhist.