Kusunda

KGG

nearly extinct

Alternate Names: Kusanda

Dialects: Gorkha, Rolpa-Dang, Tanahun. The Kusunda speakers of Rolpa, Dang and possibly Arghakhanchi districts of Midwestern Nepal belong to the same family. For this reason, their historical dialects (created by generation and geographical separation) are mutually intelligible.

Status Notes: Language of recognized indigenous nationality: Kushunda.

Genealogy:

Language isolate

Demographics: 3 (2014 M. Donohue), decreasing. 87 reported in 2001 census, living in Pyuthan, Dang and Tanahun. 0 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 160.

Language Use: Most Kusunda speakers live separately and are married to non-Kusunda speakers. Older adults and elderly. Positive attitudes. 100% also use Nepali [npi].

Language Development: Dictionary. Grammar.

Typology: SOV; postpositions; noun head final; 1 prefix, up to 2 suffixes; clause constituents indicated by case-marking; verbal affixation marks person and number; verb pronominalization with subject agreement; 31 consonant and 6 vowel phonemes.

Writing System: Unwritten

Nation of Origin: Nepal

Other Comments: Traditional religion.