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Newari aka Nepal-Bhasa language

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downloaded and edited with additions from other sources by U Kyaw Tun (UKT) M.S. (I.P.S.T., U.S.A.)
from: http://worldpubliclibrary.org/articles/newar_/_nepal_bhasa_language 160118
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Nepal-Bhasa aka Néwari
Development
Writing systems
Vowels and Consonants
Some phrases and terms in Néwari

UKT notes 
 

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Nepal-Bhasa aka Néwari

Nepal Bhasa , नेपाल भाषा, «nēpāl bhāṣā» {né-paal Ba-þa}, aka Newāh Bhāy, aka Néwari. It is not to be confused Nepali language. It is also important not to confuse religion such as Mahayana Buddhism {ma.ha-ya.na. boad~Da.Ba-þa}, with language, and we should specified Néwari as {né-paal Ba-þa sa.ka:}.

UKT 160120: Néwari is one of the languages of the present-day geo-political country of Nepal which is in the area of the ancient Magadha Mahajanapada, where the people who spoke the Magadhi speech had taken a foot-hold. It is also important to note that Magadhi has a script - the script on the pillars of King Asoka. Though it is erroneously termed Brahmi, it has nothing to do with the Brahmin-Poannars {braah~ma.Na. poaN~Na:} who could not decipher it when called upon by their Muslim emperor in the 13th century. We should not that King Asoka was Buddhist being converted from Jainism which is anathema to the Hindu religion of the Brahmin-Poanna. Buddhism and Jainism do not ascribed to a Creator of the Universe, whom the Brahimin-Poanna worship. The fundamental principle of both Buddhism and Jainism is Anatta: that of the Brahmin-Poannar, with their caste system, is Atta. It is important to call the script of King Asoka as Asokan and not as Brahmi.

It was Nepal's administrative and day-to-day language from the 14th to the late 18th centuries. Nepal Bhasa is spoken today as a mother tongue by the Newars, the indigenous inhabitants of Nepal Mandala, which consists of the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding regions.

Outside Nepal, Nepal Bhasa is also spoken in India - the geo-political country, particularly in Sikkim where it is one of the 11 official languages. [1]

Nepal Bhasa is classified as a Tib-Bur (Tibeto-Burman) language, but it has been greatly influenced by IE (Indo-Aryan European) languages.

UKT 160120: Do not use the word Aryan because of its association with Hitler's Nazi regime which claimed itself to be the champions of the Aryans. Hitler's excuse for killing the Jews was to purify the Aryan blood and restore it to its original form - that of the super-human race.

The earliest occurrences of the name Nepal-Bhasa can be found in the manuscripts Narad Sanhita, dated 1380 AD, and Amarkosh, dated 1389 AD. [2] [3] Since then, the name has been used widely on inscriptions, manuscripts, documents and books.

In the 1920s, the name of the language known as Khas Kura, [4] Gorkhali or Parbatiya [5] was changed to Nepali, [6] and Nepal Bhasa began to be officially referred to as Newari while the Newars continued using the original term. Similarly, the term Gorkhali in the former national anthem entitled "Shreeman Gambhir" was changed to Nepali in 1951. [7]

On 8 September 1995, following years of lobbying to use the standard name, the government decided that the name Nepal Bhasa should be used instead of Newari. [8] However, the decision was not implemented, and on 13 November 1998, the Minister of Information and Communication issued another directive to use the name Nepal Bhasa instead of Newari language. [9] However, the Central Bureau of Statistics has not been doing so. [10].

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Development

Nepal Bhasa words appeared in Sanskrit [UKT: Skt-Dev ?] inscriptions in the Kathmandu Valley for the first time in the fifth century. The words are names of places, taxes and merchandise indicating that it already existed as a spoken language during the Licchavi period (approximately 400-750 AD). [14]

Inscriptions in Nepal Bhasa emerged from the 12th century, the palm-leaf manuscript from Uku Bahah being the first example. [15] By the 14th century, Nepal Bhasa had become an administrative language as shown by the official proclamations and public notices written in it. The first books, manuals, histories and dictionaries also appeared during this time. The Gopalarajavamsavali, a history of Nepal, appeared in 1389 AD. [16]

UKT 160121: I am only interested in Néwar and their language Népali only up to the 14th century. And what follows is outside the area of interest, especially because of religious persecutions and the geo-politics of that time.

Nepal Bhasa developed from the 14th to the late 18th centuries as the court and state language of Nepal. [6] It was the definite language of stone and copper plate inscriptions, royal decrees, chronicles, Hindu and Buddhist manuscripts, official documents, journals, title deeds, correspondence and creative writing. Records of the life-cycle ceremonies of Malla royalty and the materials used were written in Nepal Bhasa. [17]

The period 1505-1847 AD was a golden age for Nepal Bhasa literature. Poetry, stories, epics and dramas were produced in great numbers during this time which is known as the Classical Period.

Inscriptions written in Nepal Bhasa occur across Nepal Mandala and outside.

In Gorkha, the Bhairav Temple at Pokharithok Bazaar contains an inscription dated Nepal Sambat 704 (1584 AD). The Palanchowk Bhagawati Temple situated to the east of Kathmandu contains an inscription recording a land donation dated Nepal Sambat 861 (1741 AD). [18]

In Bhojpur in east Nepal, an inscription at the Bidyadhari Ajima Temple dated Nepal Sambat 1011 (1891 AD) records the donation of a door and tympanum. The Bindhyabasini Temple in Bandipur in west Nepal contains an inscription dated Nepal Sambat 950 (1830 AD) about the donation of a tympanum. [19]

Outside Nepal, Nepal Bhasa has been used in Tibet. Official documents and inscriptions recording votive offerings made by Newar traders have been found in Lhasa. [20] A copper plate dated Nepal Sambat 781 (1661 AD) recording the donation of a tympanum is installed at the shrine of Chhwaskamini Ajima (Tibetan: Palden Lhamo) in the Jokhang Temple. [21]

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Writing systems

UKT 160121: Since the vowels are the backbone of a language we have to begin with the vowels. I am too old to visit the place and listen to the speech of as many indigenous people to decide the vowels in isolation and in continuous  speech, especially the effect of the coda consonants on them. This aspect of the language could only be noticed by linguists who differentiates the Abugida-Akshara system from the Alphabet-Letter. The Abugida-Akshara system uses the syllable (Akshara or Syllable - the unchanging unit of speech in relation to that of script.). The Akshara has an inherent vowel and is pronounceable, whereas the Letter - the changing unit of Alphabet-Letter system. The Letter is mute - not pronounceable. The hall-mark of the Abugida-Akshara is the presence of Virama {a.þût} which is used to kill the inherent vowel making it mute. Thus:

{ta.} त + viram {a.þût} --> {t} त् 

The Georgian consonant თ consonant 'Tan'  belongs to the Alphabet-Letter system. It has no inherent vowel and it is mute. It is the equivalent of Bur-Myan {t}. Supply it with the vowel ა vowel 'An'  to stand-in for the inherent vowel /a/, and the combination თა has a sound - pronounceable as /tʌn/. It is now the equivalent of Bur-Myan {ta.}.

 

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Vowels and Consonants

Nepal-Bhasa is now written in the Devanagari script. ... ... [It] has been written in a variety of abugida scripts: [the original being the] Brahmi Asokan or Magadha script, [and the present being the] Devanagari. ... ... In overall writing system of Nepal- Bhasa, there are four form of alphabets akshara:

• Vowels called MaAkha {ma. ak~hka.ra} माआखः
• Consonants called BaAkha {Ba. ak~hka.ra}
• Complex consonants called China Ak
• Numericals called Lyaa Akha

The vowels, called MaAkha माआखः used in Nepal Bhasa are:

The consonants, called BaAkha {Ba. ak~hka.ra} बाआखः, meaning "Father alphabets" used in Nepal Bhasa are:

ङ्ह, न्ह, म्ह, ह्य, ह्र, ल्ह and व्ह are included in constants as these have a specific identity in Nepal Bhasa. Some people do not include these in consonants but few do.

The use of {nga.} ङ , and {ña.} ञ, was very common in the old form of language. However, in the new form, specially in writing, the use of these characters has diminished. The use of ण, त, थ, द, ध, न, श, ष, क्ष, त्र, ज्ञ are limited by the new grammar books to the loan words only.

... ... ...

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Some common phrases and terms in Nepal-Bhasa aka Néwari and Nepali

UKT 160119: From: http://worldpubliclibrary.org/articles/newar_/_nepal_bhasa_language 160118
The list has been changed to meet TIL requirement. English gloss will be
included in the Néwari-column which will then become the first column.
Eventually, the list will be put in akshara-order. NA = Not Available

-- ----- Néwari 'English' ----------------------------------------- Nepali
¤ नां: छु खः ? «chigu nāṁḥ chu kha?» ------------------ -- Timro/tapai/tero naam ka ho?
   'What is your name?'
¤ जिगु नां: ___ ख: «jigu nāṁ: ___ kha.» ---------------- -- Mero naam ___ ho.
   'My name is ___ '
¤ न्हूदँया भिंतुना «nhūdaṁyā bhintunā» ----------------- -- Naya barsa ko subhakamana.
   'New Year greetings'
¤ जित: नेपाल भाँः मवः «Jitaḥ Nēpāl bhaah mawaḥ» -- Ma'laee Nepal Bhasa aa'un'da'een'a
   'I don't understand Nepal Bhasa'

¤ ज्वजलपा «jwojolappā» 'Hello'  -------------- -- Namaste
¤ शुभाय् «śubhāy» 'Thank you' --------------- -- Dhanyabad
¤ लसकुस «lasakusa» 'Welcome' ------------- -- Swagat chha
¤ खः «khaḥ» 'Yes' ------------------------------ -- Ho
¤ मखु «makhu» 'No' ---------------------------- -- Ho'eena
¤ ज्यु «jyu» 'Okay' ----------------- ------------- -- Thik chha
¤ मज्यु «majyu» 'Not Okay' ------------------- -- Thik chha'ee'na
¤ पासा «pāsā» 'Friend' -- ----------- --------- -- Saathi
¤ गुथि «guthi» 'Organization' ---------------- -- Sansthan
¤ छें «chēṁ» 'House' --- ---------------------- -- Ghar
¤ मनु «manu» 'Human' ----------------------- -- Manaw
¤ वास: «vāsaḥ» 'Medicine' -----------------  -- Owkhati/ Owsadhi
  Note: cf. Bur-Myan {hsé:wa:}.
¤ बुखं «bukhaṁ» 'News' --------------------- -- Samachar
¤ प्याखं «pyākhaṁ» 'Dance' --- ------------ -- Naach
¤ मि:जं «miḥjaṁ» 'Man' --------------- ------ -- Manchhe
¤ मि:शा «miḥśā» 'Woman' -----------------  -- Aa'ee'maa'ee
¤ भाजु «bhāju» 'Gentleman' ------ --------- -- Mahodaya
¤ म्येजु «myēju» 'Madam' ------- ------------ -- Mahodaya (same as above)
¤ ल्याम: «lyāmaḥ» 'Young Man' ---------- -- Yuwa'a
¤ ल्यासी «lyāsī» 'Young Lady' ------------ -- Yuwa'ati
¤ म्ये «myē» 'Song' -------------------------- -- Geet
¤ दबली, दबू: «dabalī, dabūḥ» 'Stage' --- -- Munch
¤ लाय्‌कू «lāy‌kū» 'Palace' -----------------  -- Durbar
¤ ज्यास: «jyāsaḥ» 'Office' -------- -------- -- Karyalaya
¤ पस: «pasah» 'Shop' -------------------- -- Pasal
¤ चूक «cūka» 'Courtyard' ---- ----------- -- Chowk
¤ न्ह्यपु «nhyapu» 'Brain' ----------- ------ -- Dimag
¤ नुगः «nugaḥ» 'Heart' -------------------- -- Mutu
¤ लः, ना «laḥ, nā» 'Water' --------------- -- Pani
¤ वा «vā» 'Rain' --------------------------- -- Varsha'aa
¤ (Néwari NA) «sasli» ------ ------------ -- Sasurali
  'Wife's parents place' ----------------- -- (Nepali NA)
¤ (Néwari NA) «bho'khabo» ---- ------ -- Bhukampa
  'Earthquake' ----------------------------- -- (Nepali NA)
¤ आंग «Aanga» 'Wall' ------------------- -- Bhitta
¤ गोङ्ङ «gongnga» 'Cock' ------------- -- Bhale
¤ खा «Khaa» 'Hen' ---------------------- -- Kukhuri
¤ ला सा «La sa» 'Mattress' -- --------- -- Gundri
¤ फोङ्ङा «fong nga» 'Pillow' ---------- -- Sirani
¤ तूफी «Toofi» 'Broom' ----------------- -- Dulahi
¤ साः «Saaah» 'Hair' ------------------- -- Kapal/Raun
¤ ह लू «Huh loo» 'Turmeric' ----------- -- Besar
¤ पाः लू «Paah Loo» 'Ginger' --------- -- Aduwa
¤ ल्होङ «hlonga» 'Fat' ----------------- -- Moto
¤ गाइसी «Gaishi» 'Thin' --------------- -- Dublo
¤ Healthy-looking ----------- स्वे जिऊ «Swe jiu» --- Swastha
¤ Unhealthy-looking -------- स्वे मजिऊ «Swe majiu» --- Aswastha
¤ Agricultural Field ---------- बुँ «Buu» --- Khet
¤ Wind ------------------------- फे  «Faye» --- Hawa
¤ Soil --------------------------- चाः «Chaa» --- Mato
¤ Sugary ----------------------- चाः कू  «Chaa Ku» --- Guliyo
¤ Sweet (less Sugary) ------ माः कू  «Maa Ku» --- Mitho
¤ Sour -------------------------- पङ् «Pung» --- Amilo
¤ Bitter -------------------------- खाई «Khai» --- Tito
¤ Shoes ------------------------- लकाङ «Lakang» --- Jutta
¤ Shirt  -------------------------- नङ् «Nung» --- Kamij
¤ Mud --------------------------- भेते «Bheytay» --- Hilo
¤ Place for Cremation ------- खोडे «Khode» --- Ghat
¤ Bridge ------------------------- ताँ «Taah» --- Pul
¤ River --------------------------- खुसी «Khusi» --- Nadi
¤ Rivulet/Stream  -------------- ढचा «Dhacha» --- (Nepali not given)
¤ Well ---------------------------- तुन्छी «Tunchhi» -- (Nepai given as ईऩार )
¤ Ground Floor ---------------- छेली «Cheeli» -----  Bhuin tala
¤ First Floor -------------------- माताङ् «Matang» --  Pahilo tala
¤ Second Floor ---------------  चुता «Chuta» ------  Dosro tala
¤ Attic Floor -------------------  बैग «Baiga» --------  (Nepali NA)
¤ Roof --------------------------  कशी «Kassi» -------  Chhat
¤ Glass -------------------------  न्हेकङ् «Nyekang» --  Gilas
¤ Toilet -------------------------  मः ला «Ma Laa» ----  Charpi
¤ Road -------------------------  लँा «Laa» -----------  Sadak
¤ Hole --------------------------  ह्व/प्व «Ho/Pyo» ----  Pwal
¤ Ditch -------------------------  गः «Ga» --------------  Khanti
¤ Grass -----------------------  घ्याँ «Ghya» ----------  Ghans
¤ Scarecrow -----------------  ख्याः «Khyaa» -------- (Nepali NA)
¤ Day -------------------------  न्हीछी «Nhichi» -------  Din
¤ Night -----------------------  चःछी «Chhachi» -----   Rat
¤ Month ---------------------  लःछी «Lacchi» --------  Mahina
¤ Year -----------------------  डाः छी «Daachi» ------  Varsh
¤ Three Month ------------  सो ला «Swo laa» ------  Tin mahina
¤ Six Month ---------------  खु ला «Khoo Laa» -----  Chha mahina
¤ Spring --------------------  बोङा «bongnga» ------  (Nepali NA)
¤ More ---------------------  यक्को «Yekko» -----------   Dherai
¤ Little ---------------------  न्यसुन «Nesun» ----------  Thorai
¤ Not Enough ------------ म ग्गा «Mugga» ----------  Aparyapta

All entries in the first table have been moved into the list above. The following are the remaining tables. 

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UKT notes

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End of TIL file