National
Commission begins study of endangered Bankariya language
The Language Commission has started a study of language used by the endangered Bankariya people in Makwanpur district.Pratap Bista
The Language Commission has started a study of language used by the endangered Bankariya people in Makwanpur district.
As part of the initiative of the Language Commission, the Central Department of Linguistics (CDL) of Tribhuvan University is conducting its study in Musedhap of Manahari Rural Municipality-4.
Taramani Rai of the CDL said they will also be studying the tradition and culture of Bankariya community in Musedhap. “Bankariya language, though largely similar to the Chepang community, still bears some distinct differences,” said Rai.
Since there are no written scripts of Bankariya language, linguists fear the language will be forever forgotten if it is not preserved.
The government has provided nine hectares of land in Manahari to the Bankariya people to build their settlement. Until two decades earlier, the Bankariya people lived a nomadic life in Chureghanch area. The state has also been providing Rs 2,000 per month to each member of the community as security allowance.
There are 18 families of Bankariya living in Manahari Rural Municipality.
Joint Secretary of the Language Commission Ram Sharan Sapkota said the team of Rai will submit a report to the commission after studying the language of the Bankariya people. The study is expected to be completed within the running fiscal year.