Alternate Names: Camling, Chamlinge Rai, Rodong
Dialects: Balamtali, Halesi, Ratanchhali. Ratanchhali and Halesi dialects are similar to each other but Balamtali is very different. Reportedly most similar to Bantawa , and Puma , linguistically. Many speak a variety mixed with Nepali ,.
Status Notes: Language of recognized indigenous nationality: Rai.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 76,800 in Nepal (2011 census), decreasing. Very few monolinguals.
Language Use: Home, religion; mixed use: friends, work. All ages. Used as L2 by Puma [pum].
Language Development: Poetry. Magazines. Radio programs. Films. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar.
Typology: SOV; postpositions; noun head final; no noun classes or genders; content q-word in situ; up to 2 prefixes, up to 7 suffixes; clause constituents indicated by case-marking; verbal affixation marks person and number; split and inverse ergativity; mixed tense-aspect; no passives or voice; nontonal; 28 consonant and 5 vowel phonemes.
Writing System: Devanagari
Nation of Origin: Nepal
Other Comments: Many ethnic subgroups, but linguistically homogeneous. Traditional religion, Hindu.