Language Retention in the Magar Languages: Evidence From the Census Data (2021)

Abstract

This paper examines the  language retention of  the Magar languages, i.e., Magar Dhut, Magar Kham, Magar Kaike, and Tichhurong Kaike, belonging to the Tibeto-Burman language spoken in Nepal, being based on the censuses of 2001, 2011, and 2021. This study employed the quantitative method, including a qualitative approach for the  interpretation of the data. The key findings reveal that the national level of the Magar ethnic population covers 2,013,498, out of which 903,703 are speakers, including the four Magar languages, which labels the language retention as  44.88%. At the province level, language retention seems to be lower in Lumbini Province and highest in Koshi.  At the district level, Magar Dhut  is retained highly in  Tanahu, Palpa, Syangja, and Nawalparasi (Bardaghat East) and low  in  Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur. Magar Kham is concentrated in Rolpa and Rukum, and Tichhurong Poike is in Dolpa with a few speakers. In accordance with the ecological belts, the mountain belt retains a high percentage, that is, 83%, but no conclusion can be drawn from this outcome alone. In the hill belt, Magar Dhut and Magar Kham are found to be densely populated, covering 45%, while the Terai exhibits 40.4%. Unless there is unprecedented planning made for language revitalization, the language may not retain its speakers. Along with the language planning and policy, along with the strong implementation, only the new life of the Magar Dhut language may be given.