Tibetan, Central

A language of China

Location

Xizang Autonomous Region; some in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

Also spoken in:

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Canada

Language NameTibetan, Central

User Population

6,170 in Canada (2016 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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China–Taiwan

Language NameTibetan

User Population

2,000 in China–Taiwan (2017 J. Leclerc).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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India

Language NameTibetan

User Population

83,800 in India (2011 census).

Location

Himachal Pradesh state: Tibet border; Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Delhi, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand states.

Alternate Names

Bhotia, Bod, Central Tibetan, Phoke, Pohbetian, Poke, Skad, Tebilian, Tibate

Dialects

Aba (Batang), Dartsemdo (Tatsienlu), Dru, Gtsang, Hanniu, Kongbo, Nganshuenkuan (Anshuenkuan Nyarong), Panakha-Panags, Paurong.

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Also use English [eng]. Used as L2 by Byangsi [bee], Chaudangsi [cdn], Chug [cvg], Darmiya [drd], Jad [jda], Sikkimese [sip], Zakhring [zkr].

Other Comments

In Himalayan countries, ‘Bhotiya’, people of Tibetan origin, and is applied to various languages. Buddhist.

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Nepal

Language NameTibetan

User Population

5,140 in Nepal, all users. L1 users: 4,450 in Nepal (2011 census), increasing. L2 users: 690 (2011 census).

Location

Bagmati province: mainly Kathmandu and Pokhara; small refugee communities in the mountain belt (e.g. Solukhumbu, Rasuwa, Manang and Mustang).

Alternate Names

Bhotia, Bod Skad, Central Tibetan, Literary Tibetan, Phoke, Poke, Zang Wen

Dialects

Utsang, Diaspora Tibetan.

Language Status

3 (Wider communication). Spoken as a trade language among Bodish groups in Nepal.

Language Use

Home, religion; mixed use: Friends, work, education. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Nepali [npi]. Also use Sherpa [xsr], especially speakers who move into Khumbu. Used as L2 by Dolpo [dre], Eastern Tamang [taj], Humla [hut], Hyolmo [scp], Kaike [kzq], Kuke [ght], Lhomi [lhm], Lhowa [loy], Mugom [muk], Nar Phu [npa], Newar [new], Northwestern Tamang [tmk], Nubri [kte], Nyeshangte [nmm], Sherpa [xsr], Tsum [ttz].

Language Development

The written and spoken languages are in a diglossic relationship. There is no literacy based on the spoken variety. Taught in primary and secondary schools, but only in Buddhist schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Buddhist, Christian.

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Switzerland

Language NameTibetan

User Population

1,430 in Switzerland (2000).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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United States

Language NameTibetan

User Population

16,700 in United States (2015 census). Census does not distinguish between different Tibetan languages.

Location

California; Colorado; Illinois; Massachusetts; Minnesota; New Jersey; New Mexico; New York; Oregon; Texas; Utah; Vermont; Virginia; Washington; Wisconsin.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Language Use

Many also use English [eng].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Tibetan, Central

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A language of China

Also spoken in:

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