Page Type: languageDumi | Ethnologue

DUS ISO 639-3

Dumi

दुमी‎ (Dumi) Autonym

A language of Nepal

ISO 639
dus
Alternate Names
Dumī Rāī, Dumi Bo’o, Dumi Bro, Hopupo Bro, Lsi Rai, Ro’do Bo’, Sotmali
Autonym
दुमी‎ (Dumi)
Population
3,520, all users. L1 users: 2,500 (Rai 2017), decreasing. L2 users: 1,020 (2011 census). No monolinguals. Ethnic population: 7,640 (2011 census).
Location:
Kosi province: Khotang district, Aiselukhark, Kepilasagadhi, and Rupakot Majhuwagadhi municipalities along the Rawa river.
Language Status
6b (Threatened). Language of recognized indigenous nationality: Rai.
Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Himalayan, Kiranti, Western
Dialects
Kharbari, Lamdija (Baksila), Makpa (Makhipa). Reportedly most similar to Khaling [klr] and Koi [kkt]. Makpa dialect is markedly divergent.
Typology
SVO; postpositions; noun head final; no noun classes or genders; content q-word in situ; 1 prefix, unknown number of suffixes; verbal affixation marks person and number; ergativity; nontonal; 25 consonant and 14 vowel phonemes.
Language Use
Pressure to shift to Nepali [npi] in education and communication with outsiders is strong. Few parents teach Dumi to their children or encourage their children to use their language. Home, religion. Mixed use: Friends, work. Some young people, all adults. Positive attitudes. Most also use Nepali [npi], and neighboring local languages.
Language Development
Periodicals. Dictionary. Grammar.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Dumi
Writing
Devanagari script [Deva].
Other Comments
Efforts have been made by some to preserve the language by creating written materials. Traditional religion, Christian, Hindu.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Kosi province: Khotang district, Aiselukhark, Kepilasagadhi, and Rupakot Majhuwagadhi municipalities along the Rawa river.