Introduction

Welcome to Introduction to the Nepali Language, a free, accessible Open Educational Resource for beginning learners.

Nepali is spoken by more than 17 million people worldwide and serves as the national and official language of Nepal. As a lingua franca across the country and a vibrant heritage language in global diaspora communities, speaking, reading and writing Nepali opens doors to literature, media, and everyday life across the Himalayan region and beyond.

Despite its global reach, Nepali remains a digitally under-resourced language, and pedagogically-informed and open access learning materials have been scarce until now. This resource addresses that gap. This Introduction to the Nepali Language combines clear explanations of core grammar and vocabulary with culturally grounded dialogues, pronunciation support, and interactive practice. It has been designed with inclusivity in mind and is aligned with accessibility best practices.

Whether you are starting from scratch or revitalizing skills, the resource removes cost barriers and centers diverse voices, dialects, and social contexts. Begin here, and build the confidence to listen, speak, read, and write in Nepali while learning about the people and places where the language lives.

This publication was supported with a grant from UBC’s OER Affordability Grant program.

Let’s begin!