A practical dictionary of modern Nepali (1994)
Ruth Laila SchmidtA Practical Dictionary of Modern Nepali is one of the few major dictionaries of any South Asian language compiled specifically for English-speaking learners. The term 'Modern' in the title refers to Nepali as spoken at present by educated native speakers living in the Kathmandu Valley. The word 'Practical' stresses that this is a dictionary intended for those who need to communicate with Nepali speakers within the entire range of circumstances in which English speakers find themselves in Nepal. Finally, as a 'Dictionary', this is a tool for use at all stages of the language acquisition process, from those who have just learned a few Nepali words, to the nearly-fluent non-native speaker of the language, who needs specific information about Nepali usage, specialized termi-nology, and words in context.
Since A Practical Dictionary of Modern Nepali is meant for learners at all levels, the entries are given in both the Devanagari script, which is the normal medium for writing and reading Nepali, as well as in a transliteration and transcription system in the Roman alphabet. The many illustrations are given only in the Roman transcription, in order to keep the bulk of the Dictionary from increasing to an unmanageable size. This transcription should be readily understood by both the experienced reader of Nepali, as well as to the learner who has yet to learn the elegant and efficient Devanagari script.
Nearly seven years of continuous effort has gone into the research, compilati