Yakthung Language & Literature

Yakthung Paan Limbu language is one of the most primitive language all over the world. Only the reason to prove that is about its Mundhum the holy scripture based on oral traditions that Yakthungs do know as insight book or Sik Sapla. It always starts from its naught point i.e. before the creation of the universe and the Earth. Language is so unique and great that we can prove from its highly developed form of linguistic richness. It reaches to the bottom of the feelings and height of the feelings. It is also regarded as a science because it always advocates how artistically and logically the Universe, the Earth was made by Porokmiba Yambhamiba seems like a particular scientist like albert einstein and some other physisists.

The following is the abstract from Ethnologue and hope will help our Yakthung readers for further references:

Limbu: a language of Nepal

SIL code: LIF

ISO 639-2: sit

Population :

238,088 in Nepal, 1.37% of the population (1991 census). There are 16,000 Chattare (1998). Population total all countries 266, 000 or more. Region : Limbuwan (prefered term for the Limbu area), Eastern hills, east of the Arun River; Koshi Zone, Dhankuta, Sankhuwasabha, Tehrathum, and Morang districts; Mechi Zone, Taplejung, Panchthar, Ilam, and Jhapa districts. There may be migrant workers in Myanmar. Aslo spoken in Bhutan, India.

Alternative names: Yakthung Paan

Dialects:

Taplejunge(Tamorkhole, Mewa Khole, Taplejung), Panthae (Pantharey, Pahchthare, Pahchthar, Panthare-Yanggrokke-Chaubise-Charkhole), Phedappe, Chattare (Chhattare, Chhattar,, Chatthare Yakthungba Pan, Yakthung Pan).

Classification:

Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Mahakiranti, Kiranti, Eastern.

Comments:

Related to Lohorong and Yakha. Chaubise dialect is limilar to Panthare, and Phedappe to Taplejunge. Chattare is poorly understood by speakers of the other dialects. Inherent intelligibility among the dialect speakers is 80%-90%. Lexical similarity among the dialect is above 80%. 28% of adult speakers (24% of men and 3% of women) have completed 5 years of school, and have good general proficiency in Nepali or Penni-Paan. 62% of the Limbu have no more than basic proficiency. There is a trend toward more use of Nepali especially among young people, but it is not re;pacing Limbu in any domain. Limbu used in home, with other Limbu of all ages, in worship. All Ages. Vigorous. One of the main groups in eastern Nepal. Attitudes toward Limbu are positive. Panthare dialect is dominant in size, prestige, and language development. People prefer their own dialect but are not negative toward others. Common Limbu is called "Tajengpan". The priestly high language, also known by some older people, is called "Mundhumpan."

Dictionery & Grammar:

SOV(Subject, Object, Verb format): For exampale: Anga Tak Chang - I Rice Eat = I eat rice.

Linguistics:

Postpositions (at), for example: Anga Himm-o Wa-e. I am House at= I am at home. genitives, articles, adjectives, numerals before noun heads; content question word intial; bipolar question word final; maximum of 3 prefixes; 6 suffixes; affixes indicate case of noun phrases; verb affixes mark subjects, objects; indirect objects--obligatory; split ergativity; reflexes conjugated intrasitively can be used as a kind of passive; antipassives; causatives; comparatives; V, CV, CVC, CCV, CCVC nontonal. Literacy rate in first language: 1% in Sirijangga script, 40% in Devanagari. Literacy rate in second language : 46.8% among the Limbu ethnic group (1991 census). Extensive literacy effort needed. Motivation high among all. It would be easier to read Limbu in Devanagari, but attitudes strongly positive toward Sirijangga script being taught. Have own script, "Sirijangga" or "Kirati", dating to early 18th century. Not fully standardized. Poetry, newspapers, magazines, radio programs, TV. Gallery forest. Mountain slope. Peasant agriculturalists. 2,500 to 5,000 feet. Kiranti tradional religion.

Also spoken in:

India

Language name : Limbu

Population : 28,000 in India (1997 IMA)

Alternate names : Limbo, Lumbu

Comments : Related to Lohorong, Yakkha or Yakha, There may be 5 or 6 dialects.
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