Tshangla

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A language of Bhutan

ISO 639-3
tsj
Alternate Names
Menba, Monpa, Sangla, Sarchapkkha, Shachobiikha, Shachopkha, Sharchagpakha, Sharchhop-kha, Tsangla, Tshalingpa
Population

140,000 in Bhutan (1999 SIL). Population total all countries: 158,200.

Location

East and southeast Bhutan, especially Trashigang and Dungsam. Also in China, India.

Language Maps
Language Status

4 (Educational). De facto language of provincial identity in eastern and southeastern Bhutan.

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

Standard variety in Tashigang. Tshangla is nearly identical to that of eastern Bhutan, except for the loss of initial voicing and tonogenesis in Tibet. Differs from Tawan Monba [twm] in phonology, vocabulary, and grammar, and Tawan Monba and Tshangla are not mutually intelligible. Lexical similarity: 40%–50% with Bumthangkha [kjz], 48% with Dzongkha [dzo], 41% with Adap [adp].

Typology

SOV; numbers and adjectives follow noun head; singular-dual-plural personal pronouns; nontonal

Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 47% (2003 SIL). Literacy rate in L2: Below 1%. Radio programs. Grammar. Bible portions: 2000.
Writing
Tibetan script, Uchen style, used in India.
Other Comments

Ethnonym: Schachop (sg.), Sharchhokpa (pl.) in Dzongkha. Not the same as Tsanglo (Angami Naga) of Assam, India. May also be classified as North Assam, Monpa. Buddhist.

Also spoken in:

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