Khaling Dictionary

Preface and Foreword

The editors are grateful to Dr Dhan Raj Regmi, head of the Central Department of Linguistics at Tribhuvan University and to Dr Novel Kishore Rai, professor emeritus of linguistics who agreed to write a preface and a foreword to this dictionary.

Computer and Lexicographical help

While the first edition was published in pre-computer times and typed on a typewriter, this second edition is a computer database.

For computer help, the editors thank Alastair M. Paterson and Diwakar Man Shrestha.

Initially, Sang Yong Lee and recently, Mari-Sisko Khadgi (both SIL International) gave lexicographical advice in getting the database into shape for publication. We gratefully acknowledge their help here, too.

Compilers and Contributors:

A first edition of the Khaling dictionary was compiled by S.Toba and Sapta Man Khaling in the village of Khastap. Many Khaling from other villages were visiting and contributing. One of the early contributors was the landlord of the editors, Harka Jit Rai, known as “MC”, a retired Gurkha soldier who had been wounded in action in Italy during the second World War. Many an evening he came for a chat and we learned much about Khaling language, village economy, culture and customs including Khaling worldview through him. He became a kind of father-figure and because of him, our desire to really know everything Khaling was kindled.

Among the many contributors of those days was Chandra Bahadur Khaling (Khastap). Also the families of Bishnu Bhakta Rai and Chhatruman Rai (both Khastap) must be mentioned here.

For this second edition, enlarged from the first edition, less time in the Khaling village was available. But by now, many Khaling live in Kathmandu who still speak their own language perfectly. Among the many who contributed for this second edition (apart from the Khaling Language Development Committee), Pancha Dhani Rai (Dandagaun), Dhan Bahadur Rai (Phuleli), S.N. Khaling (Darjeeling), are gratefully acknowledged for their contributions and advice. Indra Bahadur Rai is gratefully mentioned here for the many drawings he did of Khaling cultural items. Unfortunately, limited space prevents inclusion of more of them. Others who contributed in various ways are too many to mention by name, but their contributions are gratefully acknowledged here.

The members of the Khaling Language Development Committee helped both with data collection and later with corrections, examples and proofreading. Special thanks should go to Committee Chairman Shiva Kumar Khaling for his advice and to Committee members Carmaya Rai and Bhim B. Khaling for their contribution of example sentences and proofreading the Khaling entries and examples as well as checking the Nepali equivalents.

Khaling Language Development Committee:

Shiva Kumar Khaling, Chairman (Khastap)

Kumar Khaling Rai, (Basa)

Bhim Bahadur Khaling (Basa)

Carmaya Rai (Losku)

Gopal Khaling (Bubusa)

Dhan Bahadur Khaling (Jubing)

Bhakta Bahadur Khaling (Plamdu)

Dabal Singh Rai (Kanku)

Man Bahadur Khaling (Chaskur)

Chandra Bahadur Khaling (Kophu)

Bharuman Rai (Kapcing)

Khundukse Khaling (Nagiyang)

Jamas Khaling (Hankula)

Ijakiel Khaling (Cemadu)

Gidon Khaling (Hankula)

The editors:

Ingrid Toba and Sueyoshi - “Sirimphul” and “Sirimlal”