Byangsi language

Byangsi
Native toIndia, Nepal
RegionByans valley (Uttarakhand)
Byans (Sudurpashchim Province)
Native speakers
3,300 (2000 – 2011 census)[1]
Language codes
ISO 639-3bee
Glottologbyan1241
ELPByangsi

Byangsi (also called Byansi, Byãsi, Byangkho Lwo, Byanshi, Bhotia, and Byangkhopa[2]) is a West Himalayish language of India and Nepal. Estimates of numbers of speakers vary, but some sources say that the language is spoken by about 1,000-1,500 people,[2] while others estimate as many as 3,300.[3] Byangsi is from a region of high language density, that is to say that there are many languages among few people.[4] It is the most dominant language in this region,[5] although it is not widely known outside of its small hill district and those who speak it have difficulty classifying themselves for central government dealings.[6]

The term Byangsi may also refer to the people that speak the language.[2] There are also three variants of it: Pangjungkho Boli, Kuti, and Yerjungkho Boli.[2] It is considered an endangered language,[2] and it is most likely to be replaced by Hindi if it disappears.[7]

  1. ^ Byangsi at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
  2. ^ a b c d e "Byangsi". Endangered Languages. Retrieved 2017-04-03.
  3. ^ "Byangsi". Ethnologue. Retrieved 2017-04-17.
  4. ^ Sharma, S. R. (2004–2005). "Tibeto-Burman Studies at the Deccan College". Bulletin of the Deccan College Research Institute. 64/65: 325–239. JSTOR 42930648.
  5. ^ Sharma, S.R. (1993). "Tibeto-Burman Languages of Uttar Pradesh-- an Introduction". Bulletin of the Deccan College Institute. 53: 343–348. JSTOR 42936456.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Levine was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Sharma 2001 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).