Maithili language
| Region | Bihar, Jharkhand, Terai |
|---|---|
| Ethnicity | Maithil people |
| Speakers | 34 million |
| Language family | Indo-European |
| This language related article is a stub. | |
Maithili (मैथिली) is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in the Indian states of Bihar and Jharkhand and in the Terai region of Nepal. It is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and the second most spoken language in Nepal. Maithili is part of the Eastern Indo-Aryan subgroup and is closely related to Bhojpuri and Magahi.
History[edit | edit source]
Maithili has a rich literary history dating back to the Mithila region's ancient times. The language was traditionally written in the Tirhuta script, but the Devanagari script is now more commonly used. The earliest known Maithili text is the Varna Ratnakara by Jyotirishwar Thakur, written in the 14th century.
Geographical Distribution[edit | edit source]
Maithili is predominantly spoken in the Mithila region, which comprises the northern part of Bihar and the eastern part of Terai in Nepal. Significant Maithili-speaking populations are also found in the Indian state of Jharkhand.
Dialects[edit | edit source]
Maithili has several dialects, including Central Maithili, Western Maithili, and Eastern Maithili. These dialects vary slightly in terms of phonology, vocabulary, and grammar.
Phonology[edit | edit source]
Maithili has a rich phonological system with a variety of vowels and consonants. It includes aspirated and unaspirated sounds, as well as retroflex and dental consonants.
Grammar[edit | edit source]
Maithili grammar is similar to other Indo-Aryan languages. It follows a Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) word order and has a complex system of verb conjugation and noun declension.
Writing System[edit | edit source]
Historically, Maithili was written in the Tirhuta script, which is an abugida. However, the Devanagari script is now predominantly used for writing Maithili.
Literature[edit | edit source]
Maithili has a rich tradition of literature, including poetry, drama, and prose. Notable literary figures include Vidyapati, whose love songs and devotional poetry are highly regarded.
Official Status[edit | edit source]
Maithili is recognized as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India under the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India. In Nepal, it is the second most spoken language and is used in education and media.
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
