kte ISO 639
Nubri
Visualizations
A language of Nepal
- ISO 639
- kte
- Alternate Names
- Bhote, Bhotia, Kutang, Kutang Bhotia, Larkye
- Population
- 2,000 (2001 census). 500 monolinguals.
- Location
- Gandaki province: Gorkha district, upper Budhi Gandaki river, from Namrung to Prok and Samdo.
- Language Maps
- Central Nepal
- Language Status
- 6a (Vigorous). Language of recognized indigenous nationality: Larke.
- Classification
- Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, Central Bodish, Central, gTsang
- Dialects
- Sama, Lho, Namrung, Prok. Only moderately intelligible of Kyirong Tibetan [kgy] (74%). The most distinct variety reportedly spoken in Samdo village. Sama is somewhat divergent. Tsum [ttz] reportedly not intelligible with Nubri. The language spoken in the Kutang area is not intelligible with Nubri, although most who live in this area reportedly can speak and understand Nubri. Lexical similarity: 78%–93% among dialects. Prok is more distinct. 71%–78% with Tsum [ttz]; 66%–74% with Kyirong Tibetan [kgy]; 67% with Dolpo [dre]; 65% with Lhowa [loy]; 59%–64% with Lhasa Tibetan [bod]; 64% with Olangchung Gola [ola] (Walungge) and Lhomi [lhm]; 61% with Helambu Sherpa [scp]; 57% with Jirel [jul]; 55% with Sherpa [xsr]; 21%–27% with Northern Ghale [ghh]; 20%–23% with Southern Ghale [ghe]; 14%–31% with Kuke [ght]; 14% with Eastern Gorkha Tamang [tge], Gurung [gvr], and Banspur Tamang.
- Typology
- SOV; postpositions; content q-words in situ.
- Language Use
- Vigorous. Most domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Central Tibetan [bod]. Speakers have minimal proficiency in Tibetan. Also use Nepali [npi]. Minimal proficiency in Nepali, which is used with outsiders. Used as L2 by Kuke [ght].
- Language Development
- Literacy rate in L2: Below 10%.
- Writing
- Unwritten [Qaax].
- Other Comments
- Nubri marry within their community and from the Kutang community. People trade in Gorkha District and also with Tibet. Ethnic identity is closely affiliated between the Nubri and the Kuke [ght]. Buddhist.
- Language Resources
- OLAC resources in and about Nubri
