Karmarong language, also known as Karmai kat or Kar-ket, is the Sino-Tibetan language of the Karmarong people (Tibetan) of Mugu district in Nepal (ISO 639-3: muk, GlottoCode: mugo1238[1]).[2]

Karmarong
Native toNepal
EthnicityKarani
Native speakers
2,619 (2021 census)
Sino-Tibetan
Language codes
ISO 639-3None (mis)
Coordinates: 29.588920, 82.447829

Language name

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Karmarong speakers self-identify as "Karmarong," and are referred to as "Karani" by non-Tibetan peoples of the area. Karmarong speakers often refer to their language in general terms such as "Bhote" or "Tibetan."[2] However, when asked the name for their specific native tongue, they use "Karmarong" or "Karmai kat."

Speakers

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Karmarong is spoken by roughly 2,600 people originating from twelve villages along the Mugu Karnali River in Mugum Karmarong Rural Municipality.[2][3] The language is specifically associated with Karmarong Tibetan people. Diaspora communities of Karmarong can be found in the neighboring districts of Jumla, in the capital city of Kathmandu (Bouddha), and in Manali, India.

Language vitality

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In 2021, a sociolinguistic study found that Karmarong speakers use their language in the domains of daily life and interaction with their own people. It was also discovered that Karmarong is being transmitted to children in the villages.[2] The Ethnologue has assigned EGIDS level 6a "vigorous" to the Mugom-Karmarong (ISO 639-3: muk).[4] This level denotes oral use of Karmarong is stable, and that the speaker population is not decreasing.[5]

Resources

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References

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  1. ^ "Glottolog 4.6 -". glottolog.org. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  2. ^ a b c d Isensee, Jonathan Paul. (2022). Documentation and Vitality Assessment of the Karmarong Language. Kathmandu: Tribhuvan University.
  3. ^ Central Bureau of Statistics. (2014). National population and housing census 2011. Kathmandu: Government of Nepal.
  4. ^ "Mugom". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2022-07-02.
  5. ^ Lewis, M. Paul, and Gary F. Simons. (2016). Sustaining language use: Perspectives on community based language development. Dallas, TX: SIL International.