three major language groups, namely,  Indo-Aryan ,  Tibeto-Burman ,  and  indigenous . The major languages of Nepal (percent spoken as mother tongue)  are  Nepali  (49%),  Maithili  (12%),  Bhojpuri  (8%),  Tharu  (6%),  Tamang  (5%),  Newari / Nepal Bhasa  (4%),  Magar  (3%),  Awadhi  (2%),  Thulung  ( Rai ) (3%), Bantawa  (2%),  Limbu  (1%),