Saam language

Not to be confused with Sámi languages.

Saam, Saama Kha, is a nearly extinct Kiranti language spoken in Nepal. The name Saam is ambiguous, and shared with neighboring languages.

Saam
Native to	Nepal
Region	Mechi Zone
Ethnicity	Kiranti
Native speakers	530 (2011 census) (400 Saam, 130 Lingkhim)
Language family	Sino-Tibetan Tibeto-Burman Mahakiranti (?) Kiranti Central Saam
Dialects	Bungla Lingkhim Sambya
Language codes
ISO 639-3	raq
Glottolog	saam1282
ELP	Saam

Chukwa may be Saam if it is not Kulung.

Geographical distribution

Saam is spoken in the following locations of Nepal (Ethnologue).

• Dobhane and Khatamma (Khartangma) VDC's, northern Bhojpur District, Kosi Zone; straddling the Irkhuwa River, in Dangmaya, Okharbote, Khartangma, and Dobhane settlements between the Phedi River and Irkhuwa River
• Phikkal VDC, Ilam District, Mechi Zone