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LEARN
SPOKEN NEPAL BHASA
Famous writers
Nepal Bhasa
originated in the Kathmandu Valley, the capital of Nepal. After
Nepali, the national language, it is the second most widely
spoken language here. Nepal Bhasa embodies the valley's rich
cultural heritage and is a vibrant part of its social life. A
number of daily and weekly newspapers are published in the
tongue, and regular programs are broadcast over the radio. It is
also spoken in many towns throughout Nepal.
WRITTEN TRADITION
Nepal Bhasa
(known as Newari outside the community) belongs to the Himalayan
group of languages. It is one of the few languages in the region
with a written tradition. Since the AD 1200s, it has been used
in Nepalese epigraphy, historical records and literary works. It
flourished as the state language during the next six centuries,
coinciding with Nepal's golden age of cultural development. It
has several scripts that are now used only for ceremonial
occasions. The Devanagari alphabet is currently used.
LEARNING THE LANGUAGE
The
Campus of International Languages under Tribhuvan
University, Kathmandu offers courses in Nepal Bhasa to foreign
nationals. A number of other institutes also teach the
language.
ONLINE GUIDE
The lessons
here provide a very basic introduction to the spoken language.
This guide will be helpful for small talk, asking for directions
and shopping. The syllables have been separated by hyphens in
the lessons for easier reading. There is no pause at the hyphen
in actual speech. The word order in a sentence is
subject-object-verb. Adjectives and adverbs come before the
words they modify. Click on menu to go to lessons.
Chapter 1 - GENERAL
Chapter 2 - WHAT
Chapter 3 - WHO
Chapter 4 - WHOSE
Chapter 5 - WHERE
Chapter 6 - HOW
Chapter 7 - REVISION
Chapter 8 - WHEN
Chapter 9 - DIRECTIONS
Chapter 10 - SHOPPING
Chapter 11 - VERBS
Chapter 12 - COUNTING
Chapter 13 - VOCABULARY
GUIDE TO PRONUNCIATION
VOWELS
|
a
as in
bug |
aa
as in
car |
i
as in
kit |
ee
as in
keen |
u
as in
could |
oo
as in
cool |
e
as in
say |
ai
|
o
as in
old |
au
|
an
as in
French un |
ah
as in
awl |
CONSONANTS
|
ka
as in
cut |
kha
as in
Khmer |
ga
as in
gut |
gha
(aspirated ga) |
nga
as in
song |
|
cha
as in
chuck |
chha
(aspirated cha) |
ja
as in
jug |
jha
(aspirated
ja) |
yan
as in
young (nasalized) |
|
ta
as in
ton |
tha
as in
thunder |
da
as in
dug |
dha
as in
dharma |
na
as in
nut |
pa
as in
pup |
pha
as in
fun |
ba
as in
bug |
bha
(aspirated
ba) |
ma
as in
mother |
|
ya
as in
yet |
ra
as in
run |
la
as in
love |
wa
as in
wonder |
sa
as in
son |
sha
as in
shut |
ha
as in
hug |
|
EXAMPLE
|
ka
as in
cut |
kaa
as in
car |
ki
as in
kit |
kee
as in
keen |
ku
as in
could |
koo
as in
cool |
ke
as in
kennel |
kai
|
ko
as in
coat |
kau
|
kan
(nasalized) |
kah
as in
cause |
|
kra
as in
crush |
kraa
as in
crock |
kri
as in
cricket |
kru
as in
crook |
kre
as in
crane |
kro
as in
crow |
kwa
as in
quarrel |
kwaa
as in
squawk |
kway
as in
quake |
kay
as in
Kay |
kya
|
kyaa
as in
cat |
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