Page Type: languageKhaling | Ethnologue

KLR ISO 639-3

Khaling

खालङ्‎ (khaling) Autonym

A language of Nepal

ISO 639
klr
Alternate Names
Kaling, Khael Baat, Khael Bra, Khael Braa, Khaling Kura, Khalinge Rai
Autonym
खालङ्‎ (khaling)
Population
15,670 in Nepal, all users. L1 users: 14,500 in Nepal (2011 census), decreasing. L2 users: 1,170 (2011 census). No monolinguals. Ethnic population: 20,000. Total users in all countries: 15,670 (as L1: 14,500; as L2: 1,170).
Location:
Kosi province: Khotang district, Rupakot Majhuwagadhi municipality, Buipa and Kharmi; Ilam district, Ilam municipality, Sumbek; Maijogmai municipality, Pyang; Sandakpur municipality, Mai Pokhari; Sankhuwasabha district, Bhotkhola municipality, Tungkhaling; Solukhumbu district, Dudhkoshi municipality, Basa, Kanku, and Waku; Solududhakunda municipality, Phuleli; Kumbupasanglahmu municipality, Buksa and Jubing; Sotang municipality, widespread.
Language Status
6b (Threatened). Language of recognized indigenous nationality: Rai.
Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Himalayan, Kiranti, Western
Dialects
Northern Khaling, Southern Khaling. Reporteldy most similar to Dumi [dus] and Koi [kkt].
Typology
SOV; postpositions; adjectives, numerals, relatives before noun heads; content q-word initial; no noun classes or genders; 1 prefix, up to 2 suffixes; clause constituents indicated by case-marking; affixes indicate case of noun phrase; verbal affixation marks person and number of subject—obligatory; ergative; causatives; comparatives; passives and voice; CV, V, CCCV; nontonal; 23 consonant and 9 vowel phonemes.
Language Use
Vigorous. Home, religion; mixed use: Friends, work. Some young people, all adults. Positive attitudes. Most also use Nepali [npi], but older women are less bilingual and may comprehend it minimally. Also use Kulung [kle] (Jacques et al 2012). Also use Lhomi [lhm]. Also use Nachering [ncd] (Jacques et al 2012). Also use Sherpa [xsr] (Jacques et al 2012). Also use Thulung [tdh] (Jacques et al 2012).
Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 20% in Nepali [npi]. Literature. Radio. Dictionary. Texts. Bible: 2011. Agency: Khaling Uplifting Society.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Khaling
Writing
Devanagari script [Deva].
Other Comments
Traditional religion, Christian, Hindu.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Khaling
Location
Sikkim state: West and South districts, scattered; West Bengal state: Darjeeling district.
Language Status
5 (Developing)
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of India

Map

Location: Kosi province: Khotang district, Rupakot Majhuwagadhi municipality, Buipa and Kharmi; Ilam district, Ilam municipality, Sumbek; Maijogmai municipality, Pyang; Sandakpur municipality, Mai Pokhari; Sankhuwasabha district, Bhotkhola municipality, Tungkhaling; Solukhumbu district, Dudhkoshi municipality, Basa, Kanku, and Waku; Solududhakunda municipality, Phuleli; Kumbupasanglahmu municipality, Buksa and Jubing; Sotang municipality, widespread.