Limbu language

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Limbu
Spoken in:	Limbuwan, Nepal; Sikkim and Darjeeling district West Bengal, India
Total speakers:	333,633 in Nepal (2001 census) ~28,000 in India (1997)
Language family:	Sino-Tibetan Tibeto-Burman Himalayish Mahakiranti Kiranti Eastern Limbu
Writing system:	Limbu script and Devanagari
Official status
Official language in:	Sikkim (India)
Regulated by:	no official regulation
Language codes
ISO 639-1:	none
ISO 639-2:	`sit`
ISO 639-3:	`lif` Template:Infobox Language/

Limbu is a Tibeto-Burman language spoken in Nepal, Sikkim and Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India, by the Limbu community. Virtually all Limbus are bilingual in Nepali.

The name Limbu is an exonym of uncertain origin. Limbus refer to themselves as yakthumba, and their language as Yakthung Pan. It has four main dialects; Panthare, Phedape, Chatthare and Tambar Khole. Panthare dialect is the standard dialect of the Limbu language, where as Phedape is spoken and understood by most.

1 Writing
2 Publications
3 Teaching
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Writing

Limbu has its own unique Tibetan writing system, the Limbu script. Far more Limbus are literate in Nepali than in Limbu, and so many Limbu publications will be accompanied by a Nepali version.

Limbu is also written in Devanagari.

[edit] Publications

Limbu language has many papers and publications in circulation. Tanchoppa ( Morning Star ), a monthly newspaper/magazine published since 1995. There are many other literary publications. The oldest known Limbu writings were collected from Darjeeling district in 1850's. They are the ancestors of the modern Limbu script. The writings are now a part of collection in India Library in London.

[edit] Teaching

In Nepal, the Limbu language is taught on private initiative. The Government of Nepal has published " Ani Paan" text books in Limbu for Primary education from grades 1 to 5. Kirant Yakthung Chumlung teaches Limbu language and script in its own initiative.

In Sikkim, since late 1970s Limbu, in Limbu script has been offered in English medium schools as a vernacular language subject in areas populated by Limbus. Over 4000 students study Limbu for one hour daily taught by some 300 teachers. Course books are available in Limbu from grades 1 to 12.