muk ISO 639

Mugom-Karmarong

  • Geography

    NP Karnali province: Mugu district, Mugum Karmarong municipality; Jumla district, Jumla.
  • Language Cloud

A language of Nepal

muk
Mugom, Mugu Tibetan, Mugum
7,000 in Nepal (2011). census. 1,630 monolinguals (2002 UNESCO). Ethnic population: 7,000 (2011). Total users in all countries: 7,500.
Karnali province: Mugu district, Mugum Karmarong municipality; Jumla district, Jumla.
India, Map 1, Western Nepal
6a (Vigorous). Language of recognized indigenous nationality: Mugali.
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, Central Bodish, Central, gTsang
Mugom (Moe-ket, Mugali, Mugomba, Mumbai-kat), Karmarong (Kamarongki, Kar-ket, Karani, Karmai-kat). Intelligibility 89%–93% between dialect speakers (possibly higher). Definitely sufficient to understand complex and abstract discourse. Reportedly similar to Humla [hut], Dolpo [dre], and Lhowa [loy]. Lexical similarity: more than 85% between dialects, 75% with Tibetan [bod].
SOV; postpositions; content q-word in situ; clause constituents indicated by case-marking; ergativity; no passives or voice; tonal.
Vigorous. Home, friends; mixed use: Religion, work, education. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Some also use English [eng], especially children. Some also use Hindi [hin], especially men. Also use Central Tibetan [bod]. Also use Nepali [npi].
Literacy rate in L2: Up to 22% in Nepali [npi]; men 30%, women 5%. Mugu District ranks very low in literacy among Nepal districts, especially among children and women. Strong affinity felt towards Tibetan [bod] and its writing system because of high lexical similarity. Literature. Newspapers.
Tibetan script [Tibt].
Karanis want recognition as a separate ethnic group. Mugalis may not accept materials written in Karani, and vice versa. Mugom value Nepali and English as a way to higher education. Mugalis see themselves a bit higher than Karanis, and are more influential as they travel and trade more. Buddhist.
OLAC resources in and about Mugom-Karmarong
Mugom
500 in India (2006 SIL). 75 families in India, 60 Mugom and 15 Karmarong. In addition, there are many seasonal workers.
Himachal Pradesh state: Kinnaur, Dharmshala and Ladakh; Kullu, Manali.
6a (Vigorous)
Youth born in India still use Mugom at home. Home, with friends. Used by all.
Non-indigenous. Migrate from Nepal temporarily for work, but many stay 20 to 30 years.
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