Languages and Literature of Sikkim

Languages and Literature of Sikkim

Today, all the main languages spoken in Sikkim have been given the status of a “State language”.
Notably, Bhutia, Lepcha and Limboo languages have been included in college curricula, while other languages, such as Rai, Gurung, Pradhan (Newar), Mangar and Tamang, are taught till the secondary school level.
Financial help is directly given to different communities to promote research in their respective languages
Sikkim is inhabited by over twenty ethnic communities, each unique in their tradition, customary practices, language and attire.
The outstanding beauty of these people living in harmony and sharing in amity each other’s cultures, ethos and traditions is a colourful mosaic of Sikkimese Society

Bhutia People Language of Sikkim

Bhutias are divided into two groups – Tongdu-ruzhi with four clans and Bebtsengyed with eight clans, though there are a number of other sub castes.
They speak and write in the Bhutia language which is also called Lhokey although their script, language, religion, dress and ornaments have semblance with the Tibetans.
The Bhutia language, a long with the Lepcha and Limboo languages are taught in Sikkim till t he univer ity level.

Lepcha People Language of Sikkim

They have their own language, known as ‘Rongring’, with its script, ‘Mutanchi Rong Aming’.
The State Government has accorded official status to the language, along with the Bhutia and Limboo languages.
Since the year 2000 it has been taught in schools and colleges in Sikkim and from 2016 it has been taught at the university level.

Bhujels People Language of Sikkim

They have their own language, called Puhgal Gnur which is a part of the Tibeto-Burman sub-family and Sino Tibetan family of languages.
Some o f them converse in their own language .

Gurungs People Language of Sikkim

Gurungs have their own language, Tamu Kye and script, Khema.
The Gurung language (along with six others) was given official status in 1995 by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, and is being taught in selected Government schools up to the secondary level.
Text books, magazines and dictionaries have also been published in Tamu Kye.
Since 2001, the Gurung edition of the Sikkim Government weekly newspaper, the Sikkim Herald, is also being taken out.

Jirels People Language of Sikkim

Jirels are known to have an ethnic and linguistic semblance with the Sherpas and Central Tibetan tribes.
Their language, like the Sunuwar language, is also a part of the Kanauri branch of Tibeto-Burman.

Kagatey People Language of Sikkim

The community is divided into several sub-groups like Dongba, Sarpa, Shyangba, Lama and Chyaba.
They speak in Kagate, a language of the Kyirong-Kagate language sub-group of the Sino-Tibetan language family, which has similarities with languages of Yolmo, Sherpa and Bhutia

Majhis People Language of Sikkim

Majhis converse in their own language but have no script of their own.
They are dark brown in complexion, medium in height and well built, and have classic Mongoloid features

Mangar People Language of Sikkim

They have their own language, belonging to the Tibeto-Burman family, and also have their own script, ‘Akkharika’.
In 1995, the State Government recognized this language as one of the State languages of Sikkim along with the Rai, Gurung, Tamang, Sherpa, Newar and Sunuwar languages.
The teaching of the Mangar language is being introduced in schools that have the greatest number of Mangar students

Newars People Language of Sikkim

The Newars have their own language.
They used to have a number of scripts as well but in Sikkim the “Prachalit” script is the one in use.
The “Ranjana” script is used in Buddhist Monasteries and the Tantric Kutaktshar Mantra of Buddhists consists of seven letters of Ranjana script.
The Newar language has been declared an Official Language of Sikkim in 1995 and has been introduced in selected Government schools’ curricula from the year 2002.

Rai People Language of Sikkim

The Rai or Kirat Khambu Rai community is one of Sikkim’s major indigenous ethnic communities and has been living in Sikkim from ages past.
Their language and script, which belongs to the Tibeto-Burman family of languages, was recognised as one of the official languages of Sikkim with effect from 31 March, 1995 vide the Languages (Amendment) Act, 1995, and published in the Sikkim Government Extraordinar y Gazette No. 76 dated 21 April, 1995.
This language has, since the year 2002, been taught in various Government schools in Sikkim.

Sherpas People Language of Sikkim

They have their own dialect, which belongs to the Tibeto-Burman languages, and they use the Sambhota script as a medium of writing books in their language.
The Government of Sikkim granted official status to the Sherpa language in 1995 along with other languages and the language is being taught in selected Government schools up to the secondary level.
The Sikkim Herald – the official newspaper of the Sikkim Government – Sherpa edition started publication in the year 2001 and has since been in print on a weekly basis

Sunuwar People Language of Sikkim

Mongoloid in appearance, they speak both in Nepali and Koinchlo, which originates from the Sino-Tibeto-Burman family of languages.
Their script is believed to be of ancient origin and possesses only six vowels and twentyfour consonants.
Koinchlo was recognised by the Sikkim Government under the Sikkim Official Languages Act, 1977, and is being taught in Government schools till Class V.
Since 2001, the Sikkim Government weekly newspaper, Sikkim Herald (Sukhim Neskutek) is also being produced in the Koinch language.

Yolomo People Language of Sikkim

Theys peak the Yolmo language o f the Kyiron g-Ka gate branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family, which has a similarity to the Kagatey, Sherpa and Tibetan languages.
They use the Sambhoti (Tibetan) script, though modern academics pre fer to use the Devana gari scri pt as well.

Thakuri People Language of Sikkim

They speak and write Nepali, using the Devanagari Script.
But their spoken language is markedly different from that of common Nepali.
For instance, Thakuris use the word ‘darshan’, instead of ‘namaste’ or ‘namaskar’.
Claiming to have belonged to Rajgharana, they also use a respectable dialect of Nepali like “maiya sahiba”, “babu sahib,” “yuraj,” dulahi rani,” “muma hajur,” “buba hajur”, “khaisyo”, “laisyo” etc.

Sikkim is a state in northeastern India. It is bordered by Bhutan to the north, China’s Tibet Autonomous Region to the east, Nepal to the west, and West Bengal to the south. The capital of Sikkim is Gangtok.

Sikkim is a multi-ethnic and multilingual state. The official languages of Sikkim are Nepali, Sikkimese, Bhutia, Lepcha, and Limbu. English is also widely spoken.

The languages of Sikkim are a reflection of the state’s diverse history and culture. Nepali is the most widely spoken language in Sikkim, followed by Sikkimese, Bhutia, Lepcha, and Limbu. English is also widely spoken, especially in the capital city of Gangtok.

The languages of Sikkim are classified into four language families: Indo-Aryan, Tibeto-Burman, Austroasiatic, and Dravidian. Indo-Aryan languages are the most widely spoken languages in Sikkim, followed by Tibeto-Burman languages. Austroasiatic and Dravidian languages are spoken by a small minority of the Population.

The languages of Sikkim are written in a variety of scripts, including the Devanagari script, the Tibetan script, the Lepcha script, and the Limbu script. The Devanagari script is the most widely used script in Sikkim, followed by the Tibetan script. The Lepcha script and the Limbu script are used by a small minority of the population.

The languages of Sikkim are facing a number of challenges. One challenge is the dominance of Nepali. Nepali is the most widely spoken language in Sikkim, and it is the language of government and education. This dominance of Nepali is leading to the decline of other languages in Sikkim.

Another challenge facing the languages of Sikkim is the lack of Resources. There are few resources available for the study and preservation of these languages. This lack of resources is leading to the loss of these languages.

The languages of Sikkim are a valuable part of the state’s culture and heritage. It is important to protect these languages from extinction. There are a number of things that can be done to protect these languages. One thing that can be done is to increase the use of these languages in education. Another thing that can be done is to provide more resources for the study and preservation of these languages.

The languages of Sikkim are a rich and vibrant part of the state’s culture. They reflect the state’s diverse history and heritage. The languages of Sikkim are also a vital part of the state’s economy. They are used in education, government, and business. The languages of Sikkim are facing a number of challenges, but there are a number of things that can be done to protect these languages.

Here are some frequently asked questions about Sikkim:

What is the capital of Sikkim?

The capital of Sikkim is Gangtok.

What is the population of Sikkim?

The population of Sikkim is 617,000.

What is the official language of Sikkim?

The official language of Sikkim is Nepali.

What is the religion of Sikkim?

The majority religion in Sikkim is Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism.

What is the currency of Sikkim?

The currency of Sikkim is the Indian rupee.

What is the time zone of Sikkim?

The time zone of Sikkim is UTC+5:30.

What is the Climate of Sikkim?

The climate of Sikkim is temperate.

What are some of the tourist attractions in Sikkim?

Some of the tourist attractions in Sikkim include the Nathu La Pass, the Yumthang Valley, and the Kanchenjunga National Park.

What are some of the traditional foods of Sikkim?

Some of the traditional foods of Sikkim include momos, thukpa, and aloo dum.

What are some of the festivals of Sikkim?

Some of the festivals of Sikkim include Losar, Dussehra, and Diwali.

What are some of the famous people from Sikkim?

Some of the famous people from Sikkim include Phuntsok Namgyal, Tenzing Norgay, and Kazi Lhendup Dorji.

What are some of the challenges facing Sikkim?

Some of the challenges facing Sikkim include POVERTY, Unemployment, and Environmental Degradation.

What are some of the opportunities for Sikkim?

Some of the opportunities for Sikkim include tourism, agriculture, and hydropower.

What is the future of Sikkim?

The future of Sikkim is bright. The state has a strong economy, a diverse culture, and a beautiful landscape. Sikkim is poised to become a major tourist destination in the years to come.

Sure, here are some MCQs on the topics of Sikkim’s history, culture, and geography:

Sikkim is located in:
(A) India
(B) Nepal
(C) Bhutan
(D) China
The capital of Sikkim is:
(A) Gangtok
(B) Darjeeling
(C) Kalimpong
(D) Namchi
The official language of Sikkim is:
(A) Nepali
(B) Sikkimese
(C) English
(D) Hindi
Sikkim is a:
(A) State
(B) Union Territory
(C) Country
(D) Province
Sikkim became a part of India in:
(A) 1947
(B) 1975
(C) 1974
(D) 1973
The main religion of Sikkim is:
(A) Hinduism
(B) Buddhism-2/”>Buddhism
(C) Christianity
(D) Islam
The highest mountain in Sikkim is:
(A) Kanchenjunga
(B) Everest
(C) Makalu
(D) Lhotse
The main crops grown in Sikkim are:
(A) Rice
(B) Tea
(C) Potatoes
(D) Apples
The main tourist attractions in Sikkim are:
(A) Nathu La Pass
(B) Yumthang Valley
(C) Gangtok
(D) All of the above
The national animal of Sikkim is:
(A) Red panda
(B) Snow leopard
(C) Takin
(D) Musk deer

I hope these questions were helpful!