Bantawa: Echoes of the Eastern Himalayas
An exploration of the grammar, phonology, and cultural significance of a Kiranti language.
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Language Overview
| Bantawa | |
|---|---|
| बान्तावा | |
The word "Bantawa" written in Devanagari script
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| Region | Nepal, and Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kalimpong in India |
| Ethnicity | Bantawa Kirawa (natively) |
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Native speakers
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170,000 (2001 & 2011 censuses) |
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Language family
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Sino-Tibetan
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Writing system
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Kirat Rai, Devanagari |
| Official status | |
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Official language in
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| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | bap – inclusive codeIndividual code: wly – Waling |
| Glottolog | bant1280 |
| ELP | Bantawa |
Bantawa is classified as Vulnerable by the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger
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Linguistic Identity
The Bantawa language, also known by various native names such as An Yüng, Bantaba, Bantawa Dum, Bantawa Yong, Bantawa Yüng, Bontawa, and Kirawa Yüng, is a significant member of the Kiranti language family. It is predominantly spoken in the eastern Himalayan regions of Nepal by the Kirati Bantawa ethnic groups. Bantawa holds prominence as the most widely spoken language among the Khambu or Rai people residing in Koshi Province, Nepal, as well as in Sikkim, Darjeeling, and Kalimpong in India. According to the 2001 National Census, it represented at least 1.63% of Nepal's total population, with approximately 370,000 speakers primarily in the eastern hilly areas.
Despite its relatively widespread use within the Bantawa varieties, the language is categorized as endangered, falling into the below-100,000 speaker count. A notable trend is the language shift towards Nepali, particularly in the northern regions, posing a challenge to its long-term vitality.
Geographical Distribution
The Bantawa language is spoken across several districts in Nepal, primarily within the Koshi Province. These districts include Bhojpur, Dhankuta, Ilam, Jhapa, Khotang, Morang, Okhaldhunga, Panchthar, Sunsari, Taplejung, and Udayapur. Significant communities also speak Bantawa in the Indian states of Sikkim, Darjeeling, and Kalimpong.
Recent demographic data indicates a concentration of Bantawa speakers in Dharan, suggesting a dynamic population distribution within these regions.
Grammatical Structure
Bantawa language exhibits a distinct grammatical structure, characterized by a subject-object-verb (SOV) word order. This ordering is a fundamental aspect of its syntax. Notably, the language does not employ noun classes or grammatical genders, simplifying its morphological system in this regard.
The language is also recognized for its use as a lingua franca among various Rai minorities in regions like Himalayan Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Bhutan, underscoring its role in inter-ethnic communication.
Dialects
Regional Variations
Bantawa exhibits considerable dialectal diversity, reflecting its geographical spread and historical development. Key dialectal groups include:
- Northern Bantawa: Encompasses subdialects such as Chhinangkhongeli and Dilpali, with further variations including Siptungkhali, Mangpahang, Awaichha, Rungchenbung, and Yangma.
- Southern Bantawa: Includes Chewali, Okhreli, Hatuwali, and Hangkhim. The Southern and Northern dialects share significant similarities and could potentially be unified as 'Intermediate Bantawa'.
- Eastern Bantawa: Primarily associated with the Dhankuta region, this dialect is considered the most divergent. It shows closer relations to the Dungmali language and also shares connections with Puma, Sampang, and Chhintange languages.
- Western Bantawa: Also known as Amchoke or Amchauke, this group includes dialects like Sorung, Saharaja, Lulam, and Sukita. The Amchoke dialects are particularly spoken in the Limbu areas, notably in Ilam district.
- Wana Bantawa: Specifically spoken by the Bantawa subcaste, this dialect is also referred to simply as Bantawa.
Linguistic Relationships
The Eastern dialect's divergence suggests a complex linguistic landscape. Its relationship with Dungmali, Puma, Sampang, and Chhintange languages highlights the intricate connections within the broader Kiranti language group. The Waling language, attested from the late 19th century, is believed to be either a variety of Bantawa or a closely related language, possibly linked to the Hatuwali dialect spoken by the Waling people today.
Phonology
Vowels
Bantawa possesses a vowel system that includes front, central, and back vowels, with distinctions in height and rounding. The presence of the /ɔ/ vowel is influenced by Nepali, and its usage is less common compared to other Tibeto-Burman languages. Some dialects exhibit variation in the pronunciation of the central vowel /ɨ/, which can be realized as /ɔ/, /u/, or /ə/.
| Front unrounded |
Central unrounded |
Back rounded |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Close | i | ɨ ~ ə | u |
| Close-mid | e | o | |
| Open-mid | ɔ | ||
| Open | ä |
Example of vowel variation: mɨk (eye) may be pronounced as mɔk, and pɨ (snake) as pɔ.
Consonants
The consonant system of Bantawa is rich, featuring distinctions in place and manner of articulation, including nasals, plosives (both aspirated and unaspirated, voiced and voiceless), affricates, fricatives, trills, laterals, and approximants. A notable feature is the presence of a glottal stop ([əɽ]), represented by a colon (:).
| Bilabial | Dental | Apico-alveolar | Lamino-alveolar | Palatal | Velar | Glottal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nasal | m | n | ŋ | ||||||
| Plosive/ Affricate |
voiceless | unaspirated | p | t̪ | t | ts | k | əɽ | |
| aspirated | pʰ | t̪ʰ | tʰ | tsʰ | kʰ | ||||
| voiced | unaspirated | b | d̪ | d | dz | ə | |||
| aspirated | bʱ | d̪ʱ | dʱ | dzʱ | əɽ | ||||
| Fricative | s | ʂ | |||||||
| Trill | r | ||||||||
| Lateral | l | ||||||||
| Approximant | w | j | |||||||
It is important to note that the distinction between dental and apico-alveolar consonants is not phonemically significant in all contexts. Furthermore, the glottal stop is represented by a colon (:).
Vocabulary
The Bantawa language possesses a rich vocabulary, encompassing terms for daily life, family relations, and cultural practices. Below is a selection of common words and their approximate Nepali and English translations, illustrating aspects of the language.
| Bantawa | IPA | Nepali | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sewa सेवा | /sewä/ | नमस्ते | Greetings (Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening) |
| Kok कोक | /kok/ | भात | Food, Rice |
| Khan खान | /kʰän/ | तरकारी | Curry |
| Münachi मुनाचि | /münätsi/ | मानिसहरू | People |
| Diwa दिवा | /diwä/ | बाजे | Grandfather |
| Dima दिमा | /dimä/ | बाजू | Grandmother |
| Papa पापा | /päpä/ | आमा | Father |
| Mama मामा | /mämä/ | आमा | Mother |
| Nana नाना | /nänä/ | दिदी | Elder Sister |
| Nichhama निछमा | /nitsʰämä/ | बहिनी | Younger Sister |
| Dewa देवा | /dewä/ | ठूलो बुबा | Uncle (Elder to Dad) |
| Dema देमा | /demä/ | बडी आमा | Aunt (Elder to Dad / Dad's elder sister-in-law) |
| Baṅa बाङा | /bäŋä/ | काका | Uncle (Younger to Dad) |
| Chhəna छ्ना | /tsʰönä/ | काकी | Wife of younger uncle |
| Büwa बुवा | /büwä/ | ठूलो दाइ | Elder Brother |
| Nichha निछा | /nitsʰä/ | भाइ | Younger Brother |
| Nichha'o Chhachi निछा:ओ छची | /nitsʰäʔo tsʰätsi/ | भाइ बहिनीको छोराछोरी | Children of brothers or sisters |
| Aachhuwa, Chhuwa आछुआ, छुवा | /ätsʰuwa tsʰuwa/ | मामा | Mother's younger brother |
| Phekwa फेक्वा | /pekʷä/ | पैसा | Money |
| Teet तीत | /tit/ | लुगा | Clothes |
| Cha'wa चा:वा | /tsʰäʔwä/ | पानी | Water |
| Mi मि | /mi/ | आगो | Fire |
| Thuli थुली | /tʰuli/ | पिठो | Flour |
| Sampicha सामपिचा | /sämpit͡sä/ | कोदो | Millet |
| Khabat, Wachhon खाबत, वाछोन | /kʰäwät wät͡sʰon/ | जाँड | Locally brewed wine |
| Hengmawa हेङमावा | /heŋmäwä/ | रक्सी | Rum/Whisky/Brandy |
| Sa सा | /sä/ | मासु | Meat |
| Chhəna छ्ना | /tsʰönä/ | फुपू | Aunt (Father's sister) |
| Diwa, Dima दिवा, दिमा | /diwä, dimä/ | हजुरबुवा, हजुरआमा | Grandfather, Grandmother |
| Oyatni ओयात्नी | /ojätni/ | यहाँ तिर | Here |
| Moyatni मोयात्नी | /mojätni/ | त्यहाँ तिर | There |
| Khada खादा | /kʰädä/ | कहाँ | Where |
| Demni देम्नी | /demni/ | कति | How |
| Unni उन्नि | /unni/ | यति मात्र | This much |
| Chama चामा | /t͡sämä/ | खान | to Eat |
| Təcha त्चा | /t͡sʰä/ | खाने हो? | Do you want to eat? |
| Kok Təcha? कोक त्चा ? | /kok t͡sʰä/ | खाना खाने हो ? | Do you eat rice? |
| Kəŋng | /kɨŋ/ | दाँत | Teeth |
| ətlo | /ʔitlo/ | नराम्रो, खराब | Bad |
| Munima मुनिमा | /munimä/ | बिरालो | Cat |
Writing Systems
Script Usage
The Bantawa language utilizes two primary writing systems: the native Kirat Rai script, a syllabic alphabet system, and the widely adopted Devanagari script. Devanagari is currently being introduced in educational settings for teaching Bantawa at the primary level (Years 1-5).
The Kirat Rai script, also known as Kirat Akshara, is historically significant for the Kirati people. Its use alongside Devanagari reflects the evolving linguistic landscape and efforts to preserve and promote the Bantawa language.
Historical Context
The existence of distinct scripts like Kirat Rai highlights the rich cultural heritage associated with the Bantawa language. While Devanagari offers broader accessibility and integration into modern educational systems, the preservation and study of the Kirat Rai script remain crucial for understanding the language's historical depth and cultural identity.
Language Status
Vulnerable Classification
Bantawa is officially classified as a Vulnerable language by UNESCO's Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger. This classification underscores the challenges the language faces in terms of intergenerational transmission and usage.
The primary driver for this vulnerability is language shift towards Nepali, particularly observed in the northern regions where Nepali is more dominant in education, media, and public life. This trend poses a significant threat to the continued vitality of Bantawa.
Official Recognition
Despite its vulnerable status, Bantawa holds official recognition in specific administrative contexts. It is designated as an official language in Nepal, particularly within Koshi Province. In India, it is recognized as an official language in the state of Sikkim.
This official status, while important, does not fully mitigate the pressures leading to language endangerment. Efforts in education and community engagement are vital to support the language's resilience.
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