Non-Pronominalised Himalayan Languages
NON-PRONOMINALISED HIMALAYAN LANGUAGES LEPCHA-TAMANG-GURUNG-NEWARI-MANGARI-SUNWAR 328 329 LEPCHA S.GANESH BASKARAN 1. INTRODUCTION The present study gives out the grammatical sketch of Lepcha language spoken in Sikkim state based on the data collected during the field investigation from June 1997 to September 1997. 1.1 FAMILY AFFILIATION According to Grierson (1909: Vol. III) Lepcha Language belongs to the Non- Pronominalized Himalayan group of TibetoBurman sub family. As per the subsequent classification by Paul Benedict Lepcha (in Sikkim) belongs to the “Himalayan” group of “Tibetan –Kanauri (Bodish-Himalaya)” branch of Tibeto Burman sub-family. [Benedict: 1972] 1.2 LOCATION According to G. A. Grierson 1909 (reprint 1967,p-233) the Lepchas are considered as the oldest inhabitants of Sikkim. They are also found in Western Bhutan, Eastern Nepal and in Darjeeling district of West Bengal. In Indian Census the Lepcha is returned mainly from Sikkim and West Bengal. 1.3 SPEAKERS STRENGTH Language-Mother Tongue- Bilingualism The speakers’ strength of Lepcha in respect of language / mother tongue and bilingualism/ trilingualism as per 2001 Census publication is given below. Language LEPCHA TOTAL M F RURAL M F URBAN M F INDIA 50,629 26,111 24,518 48,295 24,954 23,341 2,334 1,157 1,177 Sikkim 35,728 18,505 17,223 34,289 17,753 16,536 1,439 752 687 Mother tongue LEPCHA TOTAL M F RURAL M F URBAN M F INDIA 50,629 26,111 24,518 48,295 24,954 23,341 2,334 1,157 1,177 Sikkim 35,728 18,505 17,223 34,289 17,753 16,536 1,439 752 687 330 1.4.
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