nepali

Nepali, also called Gorkhali or Parbatiya, is an Indo-Aryan language spoken primarily in Nepal, where it is the official language, and by Nepali communities in India and Bhutan. It also serves as a regional lingua franca and is widely spoken by the Nepali diaspora.

Classification and writing: Nepali belongs to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European family and descends from the Khas language of the western hills. The standard form is based on the Kathmandu Valley dialect and it is written in the Devanagari script, with romanization used for scholarly work.

Geographic distribution and status: In Nepal, Nepali is the language of government, education, media, and public life. In India, it is spoken in Sikkim and parts of West Bengal and is recognized as one of the scheduled languages. It is also spoken in Bhutan and by communities in the Nepali diaspora worldwide.

Dialects and literature: Nepali has numerous regional dialects and registers. A long literary tradition emerged from early 20th-century reform movements, producing poetry, novels, and newspapers that contribute to national culture.

Varieties and influence: Besides its official role, Nepali influences other local languages in Nepal and serves as a bridge language in multilingual settings.