Nepali

A language of Nepal

Location

Widespread.

Also spoken in:

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Australia

Language NameNepali

User Population

62,000 in Australia (2016 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Bahrain

Language NameNepali

User Population

18,200 in Bahrain (International Organization for Migration (IOM) 2019), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Bhutan

Language NameNepali

User Population

33,100 in Bhutan (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Location

Chhukha district: small border area; southwest Dagana district; especially west (Samtse), central (Sarpang) and east (southern Samdrup Jongkhar) districts; south Tsirang district.

Alternate Names

Eastern Pahari, Gorkhali, Gurkhali, Khaskura, Lhotshammikha, Nepalese, Parbatiya

Language Status

5* (Dispersed). De facto language of provincial identity in entire length of foothills, especially south central region.

Language Use

Used as L2 by Khengkha [xkf].

Other Comments

May be majority language of the south. Many are Bhutanese citizens. Hindu.

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Brunei

Language NameNepali

User Population

2,120 in Brunei (2019).

Location

Seria district: capital city.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Nepalis serving with the Brunei and British armies stationed in Brunei.

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Canada

Language NameNepali

User Population

18,300 in Canada (2016 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Denmark

Language NameNepali

User Population

4,150 in Denmark (2020 census), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Finland

Language NameNepali

User Population

3,940 in Finland (2018 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Germany

Language NameNepali

User Population

8,290 in Germany (2020 census), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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India

Language NameNepali

User Population

2,930,000 in India (2011 census).

Location

Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand states; West Bengal state: Darjeeling area.

Alternate Names

Eastern Pahari, Gorkhali, Gurkhali, Khaskura, Nepalese, Parbatiya

Dialects

Gorkhali, Palpa, Nepali.

Language Status

2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Sikkim, West Bengal state (1992, Constitution, Amendment 71).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Adi [adi], Bantawa [bap], Byangsi [bee], Chaudangsi [cdn], Darmiya [drd], Eastern Magar [mgp], Gurung [gvr], Koch [kdq], Kullu Pahari [kfx], Lepcha [lep], Limbu [lif], Maithili [mai], Majhi [mjz], Miju-Mishmi [mxj], Sherpa [xsr], Sikkimese [sip], Thado Chin [tcz], Toto [txo], Yakkha [ybh].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 30%–100%. Literacy rate in L2: 25%–75%. Taught in primary and secondary schools through grade 5 and as subject thereafter in Sikkim and West Bengal state.

Other Comments

Hindu.

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Japan

Language NameNepali

User Population

61,000 in Japan (International Organization for Migration (IOM) 2019), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Kuwait

Language NameNepali

User Population

49,800 in Kuwait (International Organization for Migration (IOM) 2019), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Malaysia

Language NameNepali

User Population

235,000 in Malaysia (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Myanmar

Language NameNepali

User Population

299,000 in Myanmar (Leclerc 2017d).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Language Use

Used as L2 by Rumai Palaung [rbb].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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New Zealand

Language NameNepali

User Population

1,880 in New Zealand (2013 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Norway

Language NameNepali

User Population

2,640 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Oman

Language NameNepali

User Population

11,900 in Oman (International Organization for Migration (IOM) 2019), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Qatar

Language NameNepali

User Population

285,000 in Qatar (International Organization for Migration (IOM) 2019), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Saudi Arabia

Language NameNepali

User Population

234,000 in Saudi Arabia (International Organization for Migration (IOM) 2019), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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South Korea

Language NameNepali

User Population

27,200 in South Korea (International Organization for Migration (IOM) 2019), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Spain

Language NameNepali

User Population

5,480 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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United Arab Emirates

Language NameNepali

User Population

157,000 in United Arab Emirates (International Organization for Migration (IOM) 2019), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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United Kingdom

Language NameNepali

User Population

52,800 in United Kingdom (2011 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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United States

Language NameNepali

User Population

94,200 in United States (2015 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Language Use

Some also use English [eng].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

View other languages of United States

Nepali

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A language of Nepal

Also spoken in:

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