Nepali language facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nepali |
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| Gorkhali, Khas-kurā नेपाली/गोरखाली/खस कुरा |
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The word "Nepali" written in Devanagari
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| Native to | Nepal | |||
| Ethnicity | Khas people | |||
| Native speakers | 20 million (date missing)e18 | |||
| Language family |
Indo-European
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| Writing system | Devanagari Devanagari Braille Takri (historical) |
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| Official status | ||||
| Official language in |  Nepal India (Sikkim, West Bengal) |
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| Regulated by | Nepal Academy | |||
| Linguasphere | 59-AAF-d | |||
World map with significant Nepali language speakers
Dark Blue: Main official language, Light blue: One of the official languages, Red: Places with significant population or greater than 20% but without official recognition. |
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The Nepali language is the official language of Nepal. It is spoken by over half of Nepal's population. It is also an official language in some parts of India, like Sikkim and West Bengal. You can also find Nepali speakers in Bhutan and parts of Myanmar.
Nepali is sometimes called Gorkhali or Khaskura. It is believed to have come from the ancient Sanskrit language. Many words in Nepali are similar to Sanskrit words.
Contents
Writing Nepali
Nepali is written using the Devanagari script. This writing style is also used for the Hindi language. It looks quite similar to Hindi.
Devanagari Script Basics
The Devanagari script is an abugida. This means that each letter represents a consonant and a vowel sound. You add special marks to change the vowel sound. It is written from left to right.
Historical Scripts
In the past, other scripts were sometimes used for Nepali. One example is the Takri alphabet. However, Devanagari is the main script used today.
Where Nepali is Spoken
Nepali is spoken all over Nepal. It is the main language for government and official business. In Nepal, students must study Nepali until Grade 10, which is high school.
Nepali in India
In India, Nepali is one of the 22 official languages. It is especially important in the states of Sikkim and West Bengal. Many people in these areas speak Nepali as their first language.
Nepali in Other Countries
Besides Nepal and India, Nepali is also spoken by communities in Bhutan and Myanmar. These are often people who have moved from Nepal.
Nepali Language History
The Nepali language belongs to the Indo-Aryan languages family. This family is part of the larger Indo-European languages group. It developed from older languages spoken in the region.
Connection to Sanskrit
Nepali shares many words and grammar rules with Sanskrit. Sanskrit is an ancient language of India. This connection shows how old and rich the history of Nepali is.
Early Writings
Some of the earliest writings in Nepali are old inscriptions. These can be found on stones or copper plates. They give us clues about how the language has changed over time.
Nepali Literature
Nepali literature has a rich history. One of the most famous figures is Bhanubhakta Acharya. He is known as the "Aadi Kavi," or "First Poet," of Nepali literature. He translated the Hindu epic Ramayana into Nepali. This made the story available to many more people.
Images for kids
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The Damupal Inscription in Dullu, Dailekh
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Copper Inscription by King of Doti, Raika Mandhata Shahi, at Saka Era 1612 (1747 BS) in old Khas language using Devanagari script
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Bhanubhakta Acharya, Aadi Kavi in Nepali-language literature
See also
In Spanish: Idioma nepalí para niños
