Dzongkha

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A language of Bhutan

ISO 639-3
dzo
Alternate Names
Bhotia of Bhutan, Bhotia of Dukpa, Bhutanese, Drukha, Drukke, Dukpa, Jonkha, Rdzongkha, Zongkhar
Population

160,000 in Bhutan (2006). Population total all countries: 171,300.

Location

Ha, Paru, Punakha districts. Also in India, Nepal.

Language Maps
Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (2008, Constitution, Article 1(8)).

Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, Central Bodish, Central, Southern
Dialects

Ha, Northern Thimphu, Wang-The (Thimphu-Punakha). As different from Central Tibetan [bod] as Nepali [npi] is from Hindi [hin]. Partially intelligible with Sikkimese [sip] (Denjoke). Dialects may be separate languages. Lexical similarity: 48% with Tshangla [tsj], 47%–52% with Bumthangkha [kjz], 77% with Adap [adp].

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 54%. Literacy rate in L2: Below 5%. Common school language. Radio programs. Grammar. NT: 2000.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Dzongkha
Writing
Tibetan script, official usage.
Other Comments

Buddhist.

Also spoken in:

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