Book Title: Introduction to the Nepali Language

Book Description

Introduction to the Nepali Language is a free, open-access learning resource designed for students, educators, community organizations, heritage learners, and independent learners seeking a structured and culturally grounded introduction to Nepali. Developed with support from the University of British Columbia’s OER Affordability Grant Program, the textbook brings together the expertise of Binod Shrestha, whose work in Nepali language education and applied language teaching spans decades; Dr. Mark Turin, Associate Professor at UBC, whose scholarship focuses on language documentation and revitalization in Nepal and the Himalayan region; and Salina Dolmo Lama, a Nepali graduate student at UBC whose cultural knowledge and community-informed perspectives have helped shape the resource.

The textbook is organized into 17 chapters. It begins with a substantial foundational chapter on the Devanāgarī writing system and Nepali pronunciation, introducing learners to vowel letters and signs, consonants, syllable formation, conjunct consonants, nasalization, numerals, writing conventions, and core pronunciation principles. Subsequent chapters are structured around carefully designed units that support the development of speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. Each unit integrates practical vocabulary, concise grammar explanations, guided exercises, audio-supported learning, interactive activities, and cultural insights to help learners build confidence in real-world communication.

While especially suited to university-level learners studying Nepali as a foreign language, Introduction to the Nepali Language is also intended for members of the Nepali diaspora seeking to reconnect with their linguistic and cultural heritage. Designed as a living resource, the textbook is adaptable for classroom teaching, community-based language programming, self-directed study, and collaborative learning. It is freely available through Pressbooks and will continue to evolve through feedback from users, with an ongoing commitment to accessibility, inclusion, usability, and pedagogical improvement.