Alternate Names: Chitoniya Tharu, Chitwan Tharu, Chitwaniya
Dialects: Nawalpuriya Tharu (Laulpuriya Tharu).
Status Notes: Language of recognized indigenous nationality: Tharu.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 285,000 in Nepal (2001 census), increasing. Population for all Tharu varieties: 1,530,000 (2011 census). L2 users: 46,600 L2 speakers for all Tharu languages (1991 census).
Language Use: Vigorous within the language community. Home, friends, religion; mixed use: Work, education. All ages. Neutral or negative attitudes. Also use Bhojpuri [bho], Hindi [hin], Nepali [npi].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: Below 1%. Taught in primary schools, in 2 schools in Chitwan District only. Poetry. Magazines. Newspapers. New media. Radio programs. Films. Videos. Bible portions: 1977.
Typology: SOV; postpositions; noun head final; 2 genders; content q-word in situ; up to 3 suffixes; clause constituents indicated by case-marking; verbal affixation marks person and number; tense and aspect; no passive or voice; nontonal; 34 consonant and 6 vowel phonemes (5 of the vowels can be nasalized).
Writing System: Devanagari
Nation of Origin: Nepal
Other Comments: Traditional religion.