History of the Lepcha Language

The history and civilization that has given the Lepchas a pride place in the world as an ancient people covers the Himalayan region known as the Darjeeling District of West Bengal, Sikkim now a state in Indian union and Illam District in east Nepal. This region was known in acient times by the name of ‘Mayel Lyang’ which means “ the land of hidden paradise or the delightful region or abode”. It extended from the Himalayas in the north to Titaliaya now in Bangladesh, in the south. Gipmochi mountain, the trijuction of Sikkim, Bhutan and Tibet, in the east to the river Arron, Nepal, in the west.



About the Lepcha Language, the Lepcha tradition says that the Lepcha language is the very language of God because after God had created the Lepchas’ first premogenitors, Fodaongthing and Nazaongnyoo from the pure, virgin snow of Mount Kanchanjunga’s pinncle, God had spoken with them in this very Lepcha Language, which they in turn later taught this very language to their children and which the present Lepchas are speaking to this day as handed down to them from God and from their first primogenitors and ancestors.
Lepchas are known as Mutanchi Rongkup Rumkup which means the Beloved Children of Mother Nature and God; therefore, during the ceremonial worship they use the God language by their Boongthing and Mun (priest and priestess). A few examples are:
English Simple Lepcha words God’s or ceremonial words
Liquor Chyee Nungfengmoo
Soil Faat Nampatmoonyoo
Water Ong Martik Moonyoo/Nyoovaom Nyoova
Wind Somut Tukyaolmoonyoo
Meat Man Sari
Fowl Hik Lambo-Lumsong
Blood Vee Amo etc.

The lepcha tradition says that it was Lord Tamsang Thing who had first invented the Lepcha scripts, almanac, customary laws, religious acts and regulations, Lepcha clan system at Tarkaol Tam-E-Tam and given it to the Lepchas, and later on, the Lepcha script was developed by Thikoong Mensalong who was a great Lepcha litereture, a great Lepcha Boongthing, a great Lepcha hunter and a great Lepcha expplorer of that period.
On the March of time Lepcha Kings Pano Rangji, Pano Turvey, Pano Tursang, Pano Turyeng, Pano Turek, Pano Aparajap and Pano gaeboo Aachyok also further developed the Lepcha language and literature during their reign.
During the 13th Century when the first Tibetan named Kheyboomsa entred into Mayel Lyang and made a Blood Treaty with Thikoong tek and Nyookoong Ngaal, a Lepcha priest and priestess, for good relations, peace and harmony. It is believed that the Blood Treaty was written and signed in both the Lepcha and Tibetan.
On the demise of King Turyek the throne was usurped by a Tibetan in 1642 from which period a new era commenced. But the Bhotia kings of Sikkim and their Lamas forcibly compelled the simple and innocent Lepchas to adopt Lamaism and disseminated Tibetan language, culture, customs way of life and living etc to the Lepchs. They collected and destroyed the Lepcha Manuscripts and translated into Lepcha parts of their own Tibetan Buddhist text books.
In the 19th Century, General G. B. Mainwaring of Bengal Staff Corps, stationed at Lebong Cantonment, Darjeeling who wrote the first Lepcha Grammar in 1876. The Lepcha Language was the official language in the Darjeeling District untill 1911.
In the twenties of the 20th century, the Lepchas of Kalimpong led by Mandal Sando Tshering Tamsang (Lepcha) and Gyan Tshering Sitling (Lepcha) did their utmost best to persuade the then British Government to introduce the Lepcha Language in the schools for the Lepcha students in the Darjeeling District and also to recognize the Lepcha language as the associate official language in the Darjeeling District but sad to say that the then British Government and its officials flately turned down the Lepchas’ fundamentals birth right demand by saying that the aboriginals should not be encouraged by upgrading their language into schools and as an official language.
Lepcha literature flourished at the time of Aathing Kharpu Tamsang (Lepcha)(K. P. Tamsang). He was selected to work in the School of Oriental and Aftican studies, University of London, with Dr. R. K. Sprigg, a renowned Tibetologist, in the study of Lepcha language and literature in 1951-52. He wrote many Lepcha books. He devoted his time for the maintenance and development of Lepcha language and literature. He wrote and published:
A Grammer of the Lepcha language (1978)
Lazaong (1982)
Lepcha English Encyclopaedic Dictionary (1983) and many other Lepcha books.
Many times the Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association, Headquarters, Kalimpong, an apex body of the Lepcha community of Darjeeling district, demanded to the Government of West bengal to introduced the Lepcha Language in schools and colleges for the Lepcha children in Darjeeling District of West Bengal but the Government of West Bengal is hesitating in introducing the Lepcha language in the Government Schools in the Darjeeling District of West Bengal, but the Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association, Headdquarters. Kalimpong on its own efforts has opened 42 (forty two) Lepcha Night Schools in the darjeeling District. The Association has published Lepcha text books from Primary to Higher Secondary levels, novels, prose and poetry, dramas, magazines and re-writing of old Lepcha manuscripts, ‘Namtho Namthar’. The Association has introduced the Lepcha computer font. Every year the Association gives away the Aathing K. P. Tamsang Lepcha Language and Literary Award to the best selected Lepcha writer or Lepcha Night School for the conservation, maintenance and upliftment of the Lepcha Language and Literature.
The Lepcha language is a monosyllabic one and is unquestionable a very ancient language. The Lepcha alphabet is divided into two parts i. e. letters and diacritical marks. The later includes Consonant, Vowels, Finals, Circumflex sings and other affixed signs. They comprised of 28 (twenty eight) Consonants, 9 (nine Vowels), 9 (nine Finals), 1 (one) Circumflex sign, 7 (seven) Conjuined consonants and 2 (tow) Affixed consonant sign.
Different writers and linguists have written that the Lepcha language belongs to the Himalayan Tibeto burman family or sub family. Some has further gone ahead and says that the Lepcha language belongs to Nag Tibeto Burman sub family, but the Lepchas’ tradition say that in the beginning the demon King, Laso Mung Pano and his followers gave unbereable troubles to the Lepchas, and thousands of them had fleed towards tibet crossing the Himalayas and moved eastward following the border land of Tibet and the Himalayas and some settled down in China and many entered into Assam, Tripura, Chittagong and Burma. This Lepcha verson intimates clearly that the Lepchas have not migrated from the North east to Mayel Lyang but it is the Lepchas that had migrated from Mayel Lyang to the North East India and to the south east Asian countries. Therefore it is not acceptable that the Lepcha Language belongs to the Tibeto Burman sub family.
Translation
Aadyal
Aadyal means to put thing from one containor to another.
Translation work
1. from tibetain Buddhist Text Books into Lepcha. (Namtho Namthar 17 the Century)
(a) Tashey Sung (b) Karma Ongzan (c) Karthak Ugrey
(d) Hrimik Kunden (e) Tukfil Namthar etc.

2. English Language to Lepcha Language
(a) St. Methew’s Gospel (1845)
(b) Book of Genisis and part of Exodus (1849)
(c) The Gospel of John (1902)
(d) The Old Testament (1978) etc

3. Lepcha Language to English Language
(a) The Lepcha Customary Laws (2003)
(b) The Lepcha Folklore and Folksongs (2008) etc.

4. Bengali to Lapcha Language
(a) Geetanjali (20040

5. Lepcha to Hindi Language
(a) Lepcha Aadivasi Ek parichaya (2005)

References
1. General G.B. Mainwaring, 1876. ‘A Grammer of the Rong(Lepcha) as it exists in the Darjeeling and Sikkim Hills’. Calcutta.
2. Aathing K.P. Tamsang, !982. ‘ Unknown and Untold Reality about the Lepchas’. Kalimpong.
3. Dr. R.K. Sprigg, 2005. ‘Shedding Some Light on the History, Language and Literature of the Lepchas’.
4. Aachuley, ‘A quarterly Lepcha Billingual News Magazine (In Lepcha and English).
5. Lepcha Folklore and Folk Songs. Compiled, written and edited by Lyangsong Tamsang and published by Sahitya Akademi.
6. Mayel Pundoor, (In Lepcha) - Pasang Tshering Simick Lepcha, Bhasa Samman
7. Lepcha Myths (In Lepcha) - By Aathing K.P. Tamsang.
8. Lepcha Folk Tales(In Lepcha) - By Aathing K.P.Tamsang
9. Nyoothing Laom Fraon (In Lepcha) - By Sonam Tshering Lepcha, Padma Shree.
10. The Lepcha- English- Encyclopaedic Dictionary (In Lepcha English) - By Aathing K.P. Tamsang.
11. Lepcha Oral Literature. (Mun Boongthing, Lepcha Society).

Uniqueness of Lepcha Language

1. All the names of local trees commence with the root letter ‘S’

In Lepcha Koong means a tree. Examples:

a. Sunglok Koong Vsu!l VkU

b. Samal Koong smLa VkU

c. Sambraang Koong sMuVäa VkU

Sapat Koong spD^ VkU

e. Sangli Koong Vsuil VkU etc.

2.All the names of the local rivers commence with the root letter ‘R’

In Lepcha Oongkyong means a river. Examples:

a. Rongnyoo Oongkyong VorJU VAUVaÀ

b. Rongit Oongkyong VoriÜ^ VAUVaÀ

c. Rong Gyaong Oongkyong VorVo VAUVa
d. Rongfi Oongkyong Vorif VAUVaÀ

e. Romaam Oongkyong armMa VAUVaÀ etc.

3. All the names of Atomsphere, Season, Climate, Weather commence with the root letter ‘S’.

Examples:

a. Rain - So Os

b. Winter - Sozaong OsVoz

c. Summer - Sosa Ossa

d. Rainy season - Somyaang OsVÌa

e. Climate - Somee Osim_

f. Weather - Somut Sofyum etc. OsmDu OsÊMu

4. All the names of the local crops commence with the root letter ‘K’.

Examples:

a. Maize - Kunchhoong kNuVqU

b. Wheat - Kakyo kOÀ

c. Paddy - Kumdaak kMudXa

d. Barly - Kachher kqeR

e. Lentil - Kalaa kla

5. All the name of the human anatomy commence with the root letter ‘A’.

Examples:

a. Head - Aathyaak AaÄXa

b. Face - Aammlyem AMaIeM

c. Brain - Aayaong AaVoy

d. Heart - Aalut AalDu

e. Hand - Aaka Aak_

f. Leg - Aathong etc. AaaVT

6. All the names of snakes commence with the root letter ‘P’.

In Lepcha bu means snake. Examples:

a. Pano bu pan bu

b. Paril bu pir* bu

c. Pamaol bu p#m bu

d. Pahryuk bu pòXu bu

e. Putyaok bu etc pu!Ã bu

Scale - Aachik Aanup

1. One handfull - Kavi Kaat kiv kDa

2. Two handfull - kaproop Kaat kâBU kDa

3. 1/4 kg - Tafoo Kaat tfU kDa

4. 4 kg - Tungfree Kaat Vtuiã kDa

5. 40 kg - Tungaar Kaat VtugRa kDa

6. 80 kg - Tungdur Kaat VtudRU kDa

7 100kg - Tungbom Kaat VtuabM kDa

8. 1000kg - Baahao Kaat baoh kDa

Proverb (Ring taom)

1. pNuVjesa tfa [f Punzeng saa tafaa faom. - A hard not to crack.

2. yXumNu AaÂBanu agMbU pat_ &S Yukmun aagyaapnu Gombu pata syaor - More talk less work

3. pNuVjenu pNuVjerMe ]Ã Punzengnu punzengrem tyaot. - Diamonds cut diamonds.

4. AagNU Êu AaÂBa ià( Aagoon fyu aagyaap dik - Empty vessal make much sound

Infantile Language (Ingnga Ringboong)

1. mamMa icic hMa Ma- Mam Chi -Chi Ham - to eat

2. ta te ta te [ldU [ldU Ta - Tey Ta - Tey laom - doo laom - doo - to walk

3. Aaiz iz Aa- ji - ji - prohibition

4. ViA_ im(ÝBa ÝBa Ing Mik Kraap - Kraap , Nye - Nye - go to sleep

5. VbUig VbUig Boong - gi Boong - gi - you may fall

Name of the Days

1. Soil/Earth Day - Faat Sayaak fDa sÜXa

2. Stone Day - Long Sayaak Zl sÜXa

3. Water Day - Oong Sayaak VAU sÜXa

4. Fire Day - Mee Sayaak im sÜXa

5. Wind Day - Somut Sayaak asmDu sÜXa

6. Tree Day - Koong Sayaak VkU sÜXa

Week - Dunhrook (6 days = one week)- dNuèXU

STATUS OF THE LEPCHA LANGUAGE

It is recognised in India but it is not introduced in the Darjeeling District by the State Government of West Bengal. It is introduced in Sikkim. The following Government institutions and departments have very strongly recomended to the Government of West Bengal to introduce the Lepcha language in the Government Primary and Secondary Education for the Lepcha childrens in the Darjeeling District:

1. Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore

2. Eastern Regional Linguistic Centre, Bhubaneswar

3. Asiatic Society, Kolkata

4. Commissioner of Linguistic Minority, Government of India, Allahbad and Kolkata

5. Bhasa Reseach and Publication Centre, Vadodara

6. Government of Sikkim.

7. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, Government of India

8. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India

AWARDS

1. Sonam Tshering Lepcha

(a) Sangit Natak Accademy Award (1996)

(b) Padma Shree Award (2007)

2. Pasang Tshering Simick(Lepcha)

Bhasa Samman (2002) Sahitya Akademi.

3. The Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association, Headquarters Kalimpong

Lok Bhasa Samman, Delhi (2005)

4. Hildamit Lepcha

Sangit Natak Akademi Award (2009)

RECORDING (Songs)

1. Lepcha Folk Songs (Sonam Tshering Lepcha)

2. Lepcha Modern Songs ‘Saaknaon’ ( Norbu Tshering Lepcha)

3. Lepcha Modern Songs ‘Sam Sa Aaring’ (Pasang Tshering Lepcha)

4. Lepcha Modern songs ‘Lenchyo Vam’ (Hildamit Lepcha)

5. Lepcha Folk Songs (Ten Tshering Lepcha)

6. Lepcha Folk Songs (Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association, Headquarters Kalimpong)

Slang

1. Lapche Gaade

2. Kokvim yangtaal chekta

3. Rong Naaong

Theatre/Drama

1. Rongnyoo Rongit (ballet)

2. Nahan Bri (ballet)

3. Pano Gaeboo Aachyok

4. Kongkeebaong etc.

Political Movement

Memorandam submitted for Introduction of Lepcha Language in the schools of Darjeeling Hills of West Bengal to:-

1. Former Prime minister Atal Bihari Bajpai NDA Government.

2 Former Chairman National Commission for Scheduled Tribe Government of India.

3. Shrimati Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson, UPA Government.

4. Former Union Minister for HRD, Shri Arjun Singh.

5. Education Minister, Government of West Bengal.

6. Chief Minister, Government of West Bengal.

7. Administrator, Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council.

8. Rallies, demonstrations, protests, hunger strikes, long protest march against the construction of mega hydel projects in Dzongu, north Sikkim, a holy land of the Lepchas.

TERMS ON RELATIONS

English Lepcha

Ancestor Male Poom Thing pMUViT_

Ancestor Female Nyoo Thing JUViT_

Great grand Father Theekoong iTVkU

Great grand Mother Nyookoong JUVkU

Grand Father Bojyo abaj

Grand Mother Moonjyoo mNUjU

Father Aabo Aaab

Mother Aamoo AamU

Father’s Elder Brother Botim abit)

Father’s Elder Brother’s wife Mootim mUit)

Father’s yonger Brother Aakoo AakU

Father’s yonger Brother’s wife Aanyoo AaJU

Yonger Brother Ing ViA_

Elder Brother Aanam AanMu

Yonger Sister Ing ViA_

Elder Sister Aanaom Aa[n

Elder Sister’s Children Naamkup nMakBu

Son Tagreekup tiàkBu

Daughter Taayukup tÜukBu

Son’s Wife Nyaom [J

Daughter’s Husband Myaok !Ì

Son’s / Daughter’s Children Kupzaong kBuVoz

On children (In general) Kupzaon kBu$z

Sister (In general) Musungmoo muVsumU

Brother (In general) Phaaming PaVim_

Grand Son Kupzaong kBuVoz

Great Grand Son Nyutha JuT_

Great Great Grand Son Nyefrak Jeã(

Mother’s Father Bojyo abaj

Mother’s Mother Moonjyo mNUjU

Mother’s Brother Aajyong AaVoj

Mothers’s Brothers Wife Aanyoo AaJU

Mother’s Elder Sisrer Mootim mUit)

Mother’s Younger Sister Aanyoo AaJU

Mother’s Elder Sister’s Husband Botim abit)

Mother’s Younger Sister’s Husband Aakoo AakU

Mother’s Brother’s Son Aanum/ Ing AanMu / ViA_

Mother’s Brother’s Daughter Aanaom/Ing AanMu / ViA_

Wife Father Aafet AaÊDe

Wife Mother Aafetmoo AaÊDemU

Wife’s Brother Aazaong AaVoz

Wife’s Sister Aazaong AaVoz

Elder Sister’s Husband Aazaong AaVoz

Brother’s Wife Nyaom [J

TERMS FOR COLOURS

1. White Aadoom AadMU

2. Black Aanaok Aa!n

3. Green Aafaong AaVof

4. Red Aahyur AaÏRu

5. Blue Fingfaong Vif_Vof

6. Brown Purmook pRumXU

7. Yellow Payaor p&Ü

8. Grey Nunaom nu[n

9. Mudy Pobookla pbXUla

10. Rainbow Tungkoong VtuVkU

11. Pink Parfing pRaVif_

12. Light Green Fung Faong VfuVof

Name of the Months ( Lavo in Lepcha means month)

1. January - Kurnit lavo kRuiJ^ lav

2. February - Kursaong lavo kRuVos lav

3. March - Thaon lavo $T lav

4. April - Sam lavo s) lav

5. May - Tafaa / Naomchaam lavo tfa / [nqMa

6. June - Bloong lavo VEU lav

7. July - Naamkum lavo nMakMu lav

8. August - Purvim lavo pRuiv) lav

9. September - Gloo lavo xU lav

10. October - It lavo iÜ^ lav

11. November - Raa lavo ra lav

12. December - Maar lavo mRa lav

Name of the Lepcha Year

1. Rat year - Kalaok Naam k!l nMa

2. Ox year - Laong Naam Vol nMa

3. Tiger year - Sathong Naam sZT nMa

4. Eagle year - Panthyaong Naam pNuVoÄ nMa

5. Thunder year - Sodyer Naam asÅRe nMa

6. Snake year - Bu Naam bu nMa

7. Horse year - On Naam aAN nMa

8. Sheep year - Luk Naam lXu nMa

9. Monkey year - Sahu Naam shu nMa

10. Hen year - Hik Naam ih( nMa

11. Dog year - Kajyoo Naam kjU nMa

12 Pig year - Maon Naam $m nMa

( In Lepcha after every three years, the month of Naomtsaam lavo occurs and this consists of thirteen months in a year).

Star and Planet - Sahaor Kurdoo s&h kRudU

Sun - Satsuk samik sqXu sim(

Moon - Lavo lav

Venus - Kurnaap kRunBa

Mercury - Kursaong kRuVos

Milkyway - zolungming azVluVim_

Solar eclipse - lavo baong lav Vob

full Moon - lavo blen lav ÙNe

Dark night - Lavo mul or Namgaong lav mLu Vya nMaVog

Twelve years cycle is known as Naam kor kaat - nMaakR kDa in Lepcha.

Terms for Direction

East Tsuklaat qXulDa

Sonaor as&n

West Tsukkyer qXuÀRe

sodyaang asVÅa

North Tsukvim qXuiv)

Kaongjat Vokz^

South Tsukgyaom qXu[Â

Kaonglep VoklBe

North East Tsukvim Tsuklaat qXuiv) qXulDa

South East Tuskgyaom Tsuklaat qXu[Â qXulDa

North West Tsukvim Tsukkyer qXuiv) qXuÀRe

South West Tsukgyaom Tsukkyer qXu[Â qXuÀRe

Centre Lyaangbaar VÎabRa

South Most Lyaang Tang Tan VÎaVt_ t+

South Pole Lyaang Tik VÎait(

North Pole Lyaang vim Tik VÎaiv) it(

Horizone Lyaang Tel VÎatLe

Terms for Hills

Hill Kung Vku

Hillock Pung Vpu

High Altitute Hlo aH

Starting Point of Plane Tung Saong VtuVos

Cliff Sagaor s&g

Hill smaller than hillock Blu Eu

Not so cliff Sagaor Sungnoo s&g VsunU

Mountain Chyoo cU

The Himalayan snowy peak Chyoo bee cUib

Mountain Range Chyoo bee Daongyaong cUib VodVoy

Peak of the mountains Chyoo Nyaak cUJXa

Sharping Peak Chyoo Hyaok cU!Ï

Lang of Snows Chyoo Ling cUVil_

God of Himalaya Chyoo Rum cU rMu

Prominent Peak Chyoo Moo/Kingtshoomzaongboo cUmU/:k_qMUVozbU

Lepchas’ principal Deity

Terms for Glacier

1. Snow covered Sonaong Kaap asVonkBa

2. Ice Sonaong Kryaong asVonVoÝ

3. Glacier Sonaong Jyook asVonjXU

Sets of Snow

Snow Sonaong asVon

Dew Mung Hlo VmuaH

Frost Paamook pamXU

Hellstone Sotaap astBa

DIVISION OF TIME

Very Early Dawn Miksheang im(VSe

3 am Morning Saongfum VosfMu

Day Break So saong asVos

Early in the Morning Lukhraong/Naaboo Look lXUVoè/nabUlXU

First Sun Light Lukjo lXUaz

Sun Rise can not be watch

with nacked eyes Sotsuk Cheelee/Sotsuk Chaar asqXuiqil, asqXuqRa

Morning (10am- 11am) Sotsuk Zanlee asqXuzNail

Midday Sotsuk Naang asqXuVna

Sun Setting towards the West Sotsuk Glyee asqXuix

Last sun set can be watch

with naked eyes Sotsuk Yaolee asqXuoyil

Sun set Sotsuk Kyeer/ Sotsuk Thyet asqXuTDe

Evening Naapmoon/Fo Neytshong nBamNU/af JeVoQ

Time between late evening and night Solaa/ Tukpit Zodyang asla, tXuip^ azVÅ

Almost Night Solaa Timboo asla it)bU

Mid - Night Sonaap Pheet asnBafDe

Moon Lavo lav

Full Moon Lavo Blen lav ENe

Moon rise Lavo Laong lav Vol

Setting of the Moon Lavo Thyet lav ÄDe

Full black night Naamgaong nMaVog

Sky

Names in Lepcha

1. Tuk Lyaang tXuVÎa

2. Taa Lyaang taVÎa

3. Tuk Lyaang Numbong tXuVÎanMuVab

4. Sumlee Saomnaang Moonyoo sMMuil [sVna mUJU

Space

1. Sumlee Sumlaong sMMuil sMuVol

Terms for Earth

Names in Lepcha

1. Lyaang VÎa

2. Lyaang Fat VÎa fDa

3. Faat fDa

4. Lyaang Sakdum VÎa sXudMu

5. Tukchyim Runggaol tXuiq) Vru#g

6. Numkut Monyoo nMukDu mUJU

Direction

Down Below Chyobaa ocba

Extreme Down Below Chyobaado ocbaad

Just Down Below Chyo chhyoo ocCU

Up above Tobaaa atba

Up above quite distance Tobaado atbaad

Above Head Tathaang taVTa

Above Head Taabaa taba

Above the sky Taabaa taba

Above the (noun) Tukdaam tXudMa

Below the (noun) Sagraam sàMa

Long Aahren AaèNe

Short Aapok AaapX

Hight Aatho AaaT

Low Aamo Aaam

Deep Aanyung AaVJu

Bottom Taong Dek VotdXe

Shallow Braak äXa

Above the (noun) Aaplong AaZY

Below the (noun) Aamin Aaim+

Here Aabaa Aaba

Here (Defenit) Aabee Aaib

Side Aafee Aaif

Over there (Distance) Pefee peif

Over there (Near in definite) Ofee aAif

There (In Definite) Obaa aAba

There only (Definite) Obee aAib

There (Distance) Pebaa peba

To come in same Lavel Thee id

To come up Hro aè

To come down Yu yu

To come down from(noun) Yet yDe

To come down from(noun) thyet TDe

To Drop Glet xDe

To Drop intentionally Gloo xU

To Drop of leaves, Flower etc. Hlet HDe