TEHRATHUM: A new edition of the book A Grammar of Limbu (Based on the Phedape Dialect of the Old Limbu Heartland), authored by renowned Dutch linguist George van Driem, was officially released on Wednesday.
The book launch took place in Myanglung, the headquarters of Tehrathum, with support from Myanglung Municipality.
Van Driem, an expert in ten languages, first published the book in 1987 through the German-based British Publishing House.
The latest Nepali edition has been brought out by Jagadamba Prakashan, Kathmandu, with the backing of the Swiss Embassy in Nepal, making it more accessible to Nepali readers. The book provides a detailed study of the grammar of the Phedape Limbu dialect, a significant linguistic variant spoken in Nepal’s eastern hills.
During the book launch, Santosh Tigela, Chairperson of Chhathar Rural Municipality, emphasized the book’s value for linguistic scholars worldwide.
“This book will serve as a crucial resource for those eager to study the Phedape Limbu language,” he said, expressing gratitude to Van Driem for his historical contribution.
Similarly, Yadav Khapung, Chairperson of Menchayem Rural Municipality, highlighted the importance of language preservation.
He said Van Driem’s dedication in documenting the grammar of Phedape Limbu should encourage greater efforts from local authorities and institutions to safeguard Nepal’s indigenous languages.
George van Driem, originally from the Netherlands, first arrived in Nepal in 1982 to study the Phedape Limbu language. He lived in Tamphula (now Tamfula) village in Myanglung-10, Tehrathum, where he conducted his research with the help of local speaker Narayan Limbu.
Speaking at the launch, Van Driem recalled how his professors encouraged him to study Limbu after encountering a research paper suggesting that “the old form of the Chinese Bhot-Burmese language family is found in Limbuwan.” His research eventually led to the publication of A Grammar of Limbu, which remains a significant work in the field of Tibeto-Burman linguistics.
Arjun Babu Mabohang, Mayor of Laligurans Municipality, noted that Tehrathum has the potential to become a global center for anthropological and linguistic studies.
He referenced Van Driem’s controversial yet intriguing research claims that “the entire human race originated from the Kumbhakarna and Dhaulagiri mountain areas of Nepal” and that “the Bhot-Burmese language family expanded from Phedape of Tehrathum”.
If proven, these theories could place Nepal at the center of global linguistic and anthropological research.
According to Jagadamba Prakashan, the republication of Van Driem’s book after three decades ensures that it remains available to a wider audience, especially in Nepal. The Swiss Embassy’s involvement in the project underscores the international interest in preserving Nepal’s rich linguistic heritage.
As the Nepali edition reaches readers, linguists and cultural enthusiasts hope that Van Driem’s work will inspire further research into the Limbu language and Nepal’s diverse indigenous linguistic traditions.
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