Nar Phu

A language of Nepal

ISO 639: npa
Alternate Names: Nar-Phu
Population: 800 (2021 J. Grimes). 200 in Phu village, 400 in Nar village, 200 in diaspora.
Location:: Gandaki province: Manang district, Narphu municipality, Nar and Phu villages.
Language Status: 6a (Vigorous).
Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, West Bodish, Gurung-Tamang, Gurungic
Dialects: Nar (Lower Nar, Nar-Mä), Phu (Nar-Tö, Upper Nar). In a dialect continuum with Nyeshangte [nmm] and possibly intelligible with it.
Typology: SOV; postpositions; noun head initial; no noun classes or gender; content q-word in situ; 1 prefix, up to 2 suffixes; clause constituents primarily indicated by case-marking; tense and aspect; no passives or voice; tonal; 25 consonants, 8 simple vowels and 5 diphthongs.
Language Use: If work is locally oriented, then Nar-Phu used; Tibetan [bod] is the liturgical language, but one can hear Nar-Phu in certain contexts during religious festivals. Used by all. Many also use Central Tibetan [bod], especially men.
Language Development: Many men are literate in Classical Tibetan. Dictionary. Texts.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Nar Phu
Writing: Unwritten [Qaax].
Other Comments: See themselves as separate from Manangba and Gurung. Used as a secret language to confound Manangis and Gurungs who might otherwise understand their conversation (2002 M. Noonan). Buddhist.

Location: Gandaki province: Manang district, Narphu municipality, Nar and Phu villages.