Yakkha language

Yakkha
याक्खा
RegionSikkim, Nepal
Native speakers
20,000 (2011 census)[1]
Sino-Tibetan
Devanagari
Language codes
ISO 639-3ybh – inclusive code
Individual codes:
lmh – Lambichhong (duplicate code)
phw – Phangduwali (duplicate code)
luu – Lumba-Yakkha (duplicate code)
Glottologyakk1236
ELPYakha
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Yakkha (also erroneously spelled as Yakha) is a language spoken in parts of Nepal, Darjeeling district and Sikkim. The Yakkha-speaking villages are located to the East of the Arun river, in the southern part of the Sankhuwasabha district and in the northern part of the Dhankuta district of Nepal. About 14,000 people still speak the language, out of 17,003 ethnic Yakkha in Nepal.[2] Genealogically, Yakkha belongs to the Eastern Kiranti languages and is in one subgroup with several Limbu languages, e.g. Belhare, Athpare, Chintang and Chulung. Ethnically however, the Yakkha people perceive themselves as distinct from the other Kiranti groups such as Limbu. [3][4]

  1. ^ Yakkha at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
    Lambichhong (duplicate code) at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
    Phangduwali (duplicate code) at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
    Lumba-Yakkha (duplicate code) at Ethnologue (18th ed., 2015) (subscription required)
  2. ^ Toba, Sueyoshi, Ingrid Toba and Novel Kishore Rai (2005): Diversity and Endangerment of Languages in Nepal, UNESCO Kathmandu Series of Monographs and Working Papers: No 7, Kathmandu: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Kathmandu Office.
  3. ^ Linkha, Magman and Bam Dewan (2005 (VS 2064)): Yakkha Ce’ya Sikla – Prarambhik Yakkha Sabda Samgraha, Kirant Yakkha Chumma, Indigenous Peoples Yakkha Organization, Sunsari.
  4. ^ Jimi, Indira, Visvakaji Kongren and Manita Jimi (2009): Engka Yakkha Cheptap, Siksa tatha Khelkud Mantralaya, Sanothimi, Bhaktapur.