A Distinct Lineage

The Gurung language (td" SoL) belongs to the Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family. It shares similarities with other Himalayan languages but retains unique characteristics that have been preserved within the Gurung community. In contrast, languages like Nepali and Hindi belong to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European language family, highlighting the Gurung language's distinct lineage.

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Regional Variations and Evolution

The Gurung language is spoken with varying tones, accents, and dialects across different regions of Nepal. Words and their meanings can differ partially or entirely from one area to another. A word used in one village might be unfamiliar or even considered inappropriate in another. Such regional variations are not exclusive to the Gurung language; they are also found in numerous other languages, including English. However, this diversity suggests that the Gurung language has evolved over time into distinct local versions, reflecting the geographical and cultural separation of Gurung communities.

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Challenges in Safeguarding the Gurung Linguistic Heritage

The preservation of the Gurung language relies solely on oral transmission from one generation to the next, making it vulnerable to erosion over time. Despite being recognized as one of Nepal's major languages, the Gurung language is not part of the curriculum in public schools. However, it is taught at 'Devdaha Mother Tongues Academy' established in 1998 in Rupandehi, Nepal — the first school in the country to offer Gurung language classes. This institution has been teaching the language since its inception, serving as a crucial effort to keep it alive.

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Another major challenge is the absence of a widely recognized and standardized writing system for the Gurung language. Gurung speakers often rely on other easy and well-known scripts, such as Devanagari or Romanized script, to record their language. While there have been efforts to promote dedicated scripts, such as 'Khema' and 'Khe Prih', they have yet to gain widespread acceptance. 'Khema' is more popular than 'Khe Phri'. The Language Commission of Nepal (efiff cfof]u) recognizes Khema as the official script of the Gurung language. Devdaha Mother Tongues Academy in Nepal teaches its students using the Khema script.

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CLICK HERE to see the Khema Script Chart (Source: wikimedia.org)

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Factors contributing to its limited adoption may include insufficient promotion, lack of endorsement from Gurung communities, or the complexity of the script itself, which might make it difficult to teach or learn. There is a need for more institutions like the Devdaha Mother Tongues Academy in Nepal and in countries where Gurung diasporas are growing.

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These challenges have left the Gurung language increasingly at risk. As younger generations grow up in a more globalized world, they often prioritize learning languages perceived as more practical or essential, such as Nepali, English, or other dominant regional languages. The absence of formal education, coupled with the growing influence of global languages, has led many young Gurungs to distance themselves from their native tongue.

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Gurung Vocabulary

Languages evolve gradually over time, shaped by the needs and experiences of their speakers. Historically, most languages began as oral traditions, with writing systems emerging much later—sometimes centuries after the language first came into use. The Gurung language, despite being centuries old, has followed a similar course, with a writing system still in its infancy. Its evolution has largely remained oral, rooted in the daily lives, traditions, and cultural practices of its speakers. The development of a standardized writing system, alongside a broader and more structured vocabulary, is an extremely gradual process that can take generations.

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One of the significant challenges the Gurung language has faced is its limited vocabulary compared to other major languages. Several factors contribute to this limitation, including:

• The absence of a widely accepted writing system,

• The lack of a comprehensive written lexicon or standardized dictionary,

• Minimal creativity or interest in coining new words,

• A growing tendency to adopt favorable terms from other languages, such as Nepali,

• The absence of a formal education system that promotes the Gurung language, and

• Inability to simultaneously balance efforts between preserving traditional livelihoods, managing migration, and promoting the development of the language and its vocabulary.​​

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One of the most noticeable gaps in the Gurung vocabulary is the absence of equivalents for many common expressions used in daily human interaction, such as 'please, 'thank you', 'excuse / sorry', etc. Instead, gratitude and apologies are conveyed through actions, gestures, tone, or contextual understanding.​​ Modern influences and the growing necessity for such expressions have led many Gurung speakers to adopt equivalents from the Nepali language, such as Kripaya (s[kof) for 'please', Dhanyabad (wGoafb) for 'thank you', and Chama, Maaf (Ifdf, dfkm) for 'excuse / sorry'.​

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Does this mean the Gurung people are impolite, discourteous, or unappreciative? Absolutely not. The Gurung people are ethnically and culturally recognized for their honesty, politeness, hospitality, hard work, and bravery. The absence of specific terms for politeness reflects a linguistic limitation rather than a cultural one. The vocabulary of the Gurung language is still in its early stages of development compared to the vast lexicons of older and more established languages.

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Community Efforts: The Key to Gurung Language Survival

The survival and enrichment of the Gurung language and its vocabulary depend on active, community-driven initiatives. These efforts should focus on documenting the language, incorporating it into educational systems, and raising awareness of its cultural importance. Simplifying and popularizing the Gurung script could also make it more accessible and widely used.

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Without such dedicated measures, the Gurung language risks fading into history, overshadowed by the growing influence of more dominant languages. Government Institutions like the Nepal Academy (g]kfn k|!f k|lti&fg) and the Language Commission of Nepal (efiff cfof]u) can play a crucial role by safeguarding, promoting, and advancing languages like Gurung, ensuring they remain a vital part of Nepal's rich linguistic heritage.

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CLICK HERE to read more on The Gurung History and Evolution.

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