Language of Nepal

Though Nepali (Khaskura bhasha) is the official language or the mother tongue of Nepal, there are as many as 126 listed languages spoken in Nepal. Out of these, three languages, Dura, Kusunda and Waling have become extinct. Apart from Nepali, the other most commonly spoken languages in Nepal are:

• Awadhi
• Newari
• Hindi
• Bahing
• Limbu
• Maithili
• Mundari

Status of Nepali language

Spoken In	Nepal, India, Bhutan.
Region	South Asia.
Total speakers	35 million approx.
Ranking	57
Language family	Indo-European Indo-Iranian Indo-Aryan Pahari (Northern zone) Eastern Pahari
Writing System	Devanagari script

Nepal Bhasa (NB) Speakers in Nepal

Region	Newars	NB Speakers	Retaination
Eastern	148305	40644	27.16
Central	740868	586722	79.19
Western	126455	57999	45.86
Mid-Western	17787	3662	20.58
Far-Western	6197	940	15.16
Total in Nepal	1041090	690007	66.27

Creative literature at a glance

First Story Book	Tantrakhyan (1518 A.D.)
First Song	Walangata Simule Swambaraya (In reign of Pranmol malla, 1523-1550 A.D.)
First One-act Play	Ekadashi Brata (1633A.D.) by Sidhhinarasingha Malla
First Drama	Mooldev Shashidev by Jagat Prakash Malla (1645-1673 A.D.)