The language immersion aspect is far not the first thing that aspiring climbers seem to think of as they bring the subject up. Still, one should remember that Mount Everest is located in Solukhumbu! Now that also tells us that there is a language that still stands out from the other dialects. It is known as the Sherpa language! The tricky part about it is not even the art of understanding it but the practice of using either Tibetan or an even more complex Devanagari script. Luckily, most Sherpas that will be your guides through any travel experience also speak Nepali, which can simplify the availability of translators to a certain extent. Now, let’s learn more about the local dialects worth knowing!
Language Immersion In The Everest Region: Exploring Local Dialects
Sherpa Or The Language Of Tibet
Although it is often linked to Nepali and it’s hardly possible to find a person that would be able to speak the Sherpa language to a certain standard, remember that there is a significant gap between the use by the small communities and Nepali that is used by mass media, business, and schools. Still, if you would like to learn something beyond Chomolungma, which means “goddess mother of our world” in Sherpa, think about IsAccurate and ask about a specialist who would speak Nepali and know the specifics of the Sherpa language either by origin or by studying the cultural practices.
Khumbu
This dialect can be encountered in the northeastern part of the Nepalese part of Mount Everest. It is the precise region that so many people know as the “home of the yeti” creature. It is also a place that has numerous legends, some of which have been made famous by Khumbu speakers. They are also the ones who can hope with extreme altitudes and have unique body resources that help them to carry different levels of oxygen. When visiting this side of Everest Mountain, always think twice about health concerns because what your Khumbu guide may do is not that easy! Khumbu dialect speakers are also one of the friendliest guides that will walk the extra mile to help you out and make you feel safe.
Solu
This dialect is less common and can only be encountered in higher and more mountainous parts of the Sherpa-populated Everest regions. This dialect does not have a distinct orthography system and bases itself on the culture and history of the land. It differs by the way it sounds. The Solu speakers are the ones who have set world records and worked as rescue team members to save unfortunate climbers. Also known as the Hile Sherpa, this dialect is often called the “language of the guides”. It’s the sub-dialect of Sherpa people that only professional linguists will be able to tell apart, yet non-linguists can spot it through the experience of a chosen guide!
Ramechhap
As the name suggests, this dialect belongs to the Ramechhap District and represents a linguistic mixture of Nepali, Magar, Newari, and a less significant Haayu structure. As you are looking for the best climbing routes related to Everest Mountain, you will encounter numerous guides that will use the Ramechhap dialect with a mixture of the Sherpa language. Most climbers will not notice the difference, yet getting to know certain phrases and tips will help you to stay safe and learn all the secrets of survival and endurance in the region.
Mount Everest And Dialects Specifics
Since we have over 170,000 individuals that speak the Sherpa language, there is a complex aspect of the Nepal connection. If we explore the subject, we shall learn that Nepal currently has 123 different languages and even more dialects. Using their geographical origins, many Sherpa speakers have created various dialects that are accessible only to small communities. As you encounter an average Sherpa speaker, dialects will be related to Eastern Tibet or Khamba or Tibetan dialects that can only be encountered in the central part of Tibet. At the same time, one should not mix these dialects with the Lhasa Tibetan, which is encountered in the autonomous part of Tibet. Therefore, many dialects encountered also relate to the closeness to certain regions or religious traditions.
BIO
Ewan Jennings has a strong passion for Mount Everest. As an educator and linguist, he loves to travel through the cultural and language aspects of the region. Follow Ewan to take your Everest experience further and learn new things.