DZONGKHA: a language of Bhutan

The following is the entry for this language as it appeared in the 14th edition (2000).
It was superseded by the corresponding entry in the 15th edition (2005). See also the corresponding entry in the current edition of Ethnologue.

SIL code: DZO

ISO 639-1: dz

ISO 639-2: dzo

Population	160,000 (1993 Van Driem). Population total both countries 160,000 or more.
Region	Ha, Paru, Punakha districts. Also spoken in Nepal.
Alternate names	DRUKKE, DRUKHA, DUKPA, BHUTANESE, JONKHA, BHOTIA OF BHUTAN, BHOTIA OF DUKPA, ZONGKHAR, RDZONGKHA
Dialects	WANG-THE (THIMPHU-PUNAKHA), HA, NORTHERN THIMPHU.
Classification	Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tibetan, Southern.
Comments	As different from Lhasa Tibetan as Nepali is from Hindi. Partially intelligible with Sikkimese (Drenjoke). Names listed as dialects may be separate languages. 48% lexical similarity with Sharchagpakha, 47% to 52% with Kebumtamp, 77% with Adap. 'Lhoke' means 'southern language.' National language. Literacy rate in first language: Below 1%. Literacy rate in second language: Below 5%. Ucan script. Common school language. Bible portions 1970.

Also spoken in:

Nepal

Language name	DZONGKHA
Alternate names	JONKHA, BHOTIA OF BHUTAN, ZONGKHAR, DRUKKE, DRUKHA, BHUTANESE
Comments	'Lhoke' means 'southern language.' Traders, shopkeepers. Bible portions 1970. See main entry under Bhutan.