Doteli


Doteli, or Dotyali is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by about 495,000 people, most of whom live in Nepal. It is a dialect of Khas, which is an ancient form of the modern Nepali language, and is written in the Devanagari script. It has official status in Nepal as per Part 1, Section 6 of the Constitution of Nepal 2072. There are four main dialects of Doteli, namely Baitadeli, Achhami, Bajhangi Nepali, Darchuli and Doteli. The mutual intelligibility between these dialects is high and all dialects of Doteli are able to share language-based materials.

Phonology

Vowels

Consonants

Example short phrases

Names of the language

The language is known by various names in the far–western region of Nepal, according to the districts.
DistrictTerms used for language name
KailaliBaitadeli, Bajhangi–Nepali
KanchanpurBaitadeli–Nepali, Pahadi, Nepali
DotiDotyali, Doteli
DadeldhuraDotyali, Dadeldhuri
AchhamAchhami, Achhami-Nepali
BaitadiBaitadi, Baitadeli, Dotyali
DarchulaDarchuleli, Dotyali, Sauka
BajhangBajhangi, Bajhangi–Nepali

Official status

The Language Commission of Nepal has recommended Dotyali language as official language in Sudurpashchim Province.

Origin and history

Although Dotyali isn't fully intelligible with standard Nepali, Dotyali is considered a member of the macrolanguage Nepali. In Nepal, Doteli is considered a Nepali dialect. However, local intellectuals and people of Doti, those who speak Doteli, are increasingly demanding their language to be recognized as one of the national languages of Nepal.