An indispensable book for understanding the Gurung language and its grammar

 BOOK REVIEW

An indispensable book for understanding the Gurung language and its grammar

By LB Thapa

The origin of the Gurung language is the subject of serious research. Unfortunately, to date, quite a few books have been written about the origin, development, and linguistic properties of the Gurung language. As a matter of fact, the Gurung language-speaking ratio has been constantly in rapid decline, say many Gurung language experts. 

Many Gurung linguists are unanimous on the fact that, if timely action is not taken, the Gurung language will cease to exist sooner or later. At present, most of the Gurung people are scattered across the country, and many of them live abroad with their families. It has been found that Gurung children living abroad prefer to speak English. Most parents feel proud when their children speak English like native speakers. They think that teaching them the Gurung language will damage their English accent. Moreover, nowadays, even most Gurung children who live in urban areas are unable to speak the Gurung language. This bitter truth has sown the seed of worry among many senior Gurung community members. 

At this backdrop, when 62 local languages have already been listed as endangered languages in Nepal, Ratna Man Gurung, who is an authority on the Gurung language and its syntax, has come up with a brilliant book named “An Introduction to Language, Grammar, and Gurung Syntax.” To comprehend the Gurung language and its basic to advanced-level grammatical structure, the book is considered highly indispensable. As the author has heavily relied on English and Nepali grammar to elaborate on spoken and written Gurung language; this very choice of the author has made the book easy to comprehend. 

The author, who possessed a B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed. (English), and MA (Economics) academic degrees, is a noted scholar of the Gurung language in the country. Besides, he is also the founder and director of Tops English Boarding School in Pokhara. His several research papers and books about the Gurung language and its grammar have already been published in Nepal. Many foreign scholars and researchers have shown interest in his work, which has enriched the treasure trove of the Gurung language. Many Gurung language experts consider the present book by the author to be a milestone in the growth and development of the Gurung language. 

It is a fact that many languages spoken in Nepal do not have properly recorded grammar, nor do they have their own script. It is accepted that if a language has its own script and properly documented grammar, the language will certainly flourish in the future, and vice versa. 

The book under review is unique in the sense that it has almost covered every vital aspect of the Gurung language. Divided into two parts, the first part of the book deals with the key subjects of the Gurung language. Such as an introduction to the Gurung language, the development of the writing system, Gurung language grammar, syllable structure and syllabification, orthography, and parts of speech. Likewise, part two of the book includes Gurung syntax, word order, grammatical category, paradigmatic and syntagmatic structure, and the linguist’s tree of knowledge. 

In this book, the author has used an accepted form of Gurung language that is popularly spoken in the western parts of Nepal, such as Karapu, Kaleng, Majuwa, Daduwa, Chhapa, Gulung, Nalma, Maling, Taksar, Bhonje, Chara Gaon, Myong, Ghramang, Tamu, Kumjung, Singdi, and Pas Gaon. 

The author writes that the Gurung language spoken in the Lamjung district and Tanahun district are very similar to each other. Similarly, in some parts of the Lamjung district, such as Mungri, Pakhikot, Naidhar, Bhachowk, Wachok, Yangjakot, and Tanting, which now fall under the territory of Kaski district, there is also linguistic similarity. 

During the research period, the author noticed that the Gurung language spoken in Syangja district, such as Khairekot, Kolma, Barahkot, Mattikhan, Dhuwarkot, Ramkot, Fedikhola, Sirubari, and the Gurung language spoken in Karapu (Lamjung district), have the utmost similarities to each other. 

The interesting fact is that, despite some dissimilarity in the use of syntax, dialect, pitch, tempo, and rhythmic tone in the Gurung language spoken in Kleng, Majuwa, Daduwa, Chhapa, and Gilung, the intellectual understanding of the language in Karapu (Lamjung district) is very comprehensive and understandable. 

Generally, it is accepted that the Gurung language does not have its own script. However, the author has proved it wrong and disclosed the fact that Jaganlal Gurung from Hyangjakot had put much effort into developing ‘Khepriah Script. Unfortunately, this script could not be followed in practical terms. Then, in 1977, Shree Balnarsingh Gurung developed the ‘Khema Script’. Later, this script was brushed up and promoted under the guidance of Pim Bahadur Gurung. He was a student of Shree Balnarsingh Gurung. At present, under the coordination of Shree Bhim Gurung, various training programs are organized where ‘Khema Script’ is taught to Gurung language enthusiasts. 

Today, the Khema script is used in some parts of Nepal, Sikkim, Dehradun, Darjeeling, Garhwal (India), and Bhutan, where the Khema script is taught and practiced. Officially, ‘Khema Script’ has been registered as the only script of the Gurung language in Nepal. In the meantime, many Gurung-language scholars suggest that the Gurung language can be expressed very well in Devanagari script. As most Gurung people are well aware of the Devanagari script, it will always be easy for them to learn and express the Gurung language in the Devanagari script. 

At this moment, when the Khema script needs more research and linguistic modifications to achieve professional proficiency, Devanagari is the best script to fill the void. 

In fact, some sporadic efforts have been made by a handful of Gurung scholars who want to revive the Gurung script and spread the Gurung language. But looking at the lethargic attitude of many Gurung children, it seems that they do not hold that degree of enthusiasm and urgency for preserving and promoting the Gurung language. However, some scholars, like Ratna Man Gurung, have taken up the cudgels for the revival and promotion of the Gurung language in Nepal.

Ratna Man Gurung is the founder and principal of Tops English Boarding School, Pokhara, Nepal. 

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