Alternate Names: Kamaoni, Kumau, Kumauni, Kumawani, Kumgoni, Kumman, Kunayaoni
Dialects: Central Kumaoni, Northeastern Kumaoni, Southeastern Kumaoni, Western Kumaoni. Reportedly, eastern dialects are different. Names sometimes listed for dialects or subgroups are: Askoti, Bhabari of Rampur, Chaugarkhiya, Danpuriya, Gangola, Johari, Khasparjiya, Kumaiya Pachhai, Pashchimi, Phaldakotiya, Kumaoni, Rau-Chaubhaisi, Sirali, Soriyali. Most closely related to Garwhali , and Nepali ,.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 2,360,000 (1998 survey). 472,000 monolinguals (1998 SIL).
Language Use: Home, community. All ages. Positive attitudes. Central dialect is most accepted. Hindi [hin] used in towns and markets, mostly by men but also by a few educated women and school-aged children. Used as L2 by Byangsi [bee], Chaudangsi [cdn], Darmiya [drd], Gujari [gju], Rawat [jnl], Rongpo [rnp].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 72% for Uttarakhand (2001 census). Motivation for literacy not high. Poetry. Magazines. Radio programs. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 1825–2007.
Writing System: Devanagari
Nation of Origin: India
Other Comments: Hindu, traditional religion.