Tshangla

A language of Bhutan

Central Monpa, Menba, Monpa, Sangla, Sarchapkkha, Shachobiikha, Shachopkha, Sharchagpakha, Sharchhokpa, Sharchhop, Sharchokpa-lo, Tsangla, Tschanglo, Tshalingpa

Autonym

ཆང་ལོ་‎ (Tshanglo)

User Population

163,000 in Bhutan (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Total users in all countries: 181,200.

Location

Mongar district: east; Pemagatshel district: east; Samdrup Jongkhar and Trashigang districts; Trashi-Yangtse district: south.

Language Maps

3 (Wider communication). De facto language of provincial identity in eastern and southeastern Bhutan.

Classification

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

Dialects

None known. 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], 41%–48% with Dzongkha [dzo].

Typology

SOV; singular-dual-plural personal pronouns; case-marking (3 cases); tense and aspect; 31 consonants and 5 vowels; nontonal; evidentiality (mirativity).

Language Use

Also use Dzongkha [dzo]. Used as L2 by Khengkha [xkf], Kurtokha [xkz].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 47% (2003 SIL). Literacy rate in L2: Below 1%. Radio. Grammar. Bible portions: 2000.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Tshangla

Writing

Tibetan script [Tibt], Uchen style, used in India.

Other Comments

Not the same as Tsanglo (Angami Naga) of Assam, India. May also be classified as North Assam, Monpa. Buddhist.

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China

Language NameTshangla

User Population

7,000 in China (2000 census). Majority are monolingual. Ethnic population: 10,600 (2010 census). Includes Moinba (Cuona Monba) [twm] speakers.

Location

Xizang Autonomous Region: Linzhi prefecture, Motuo (Medoz, Medog) county, Bangxing, Beibeng, Dexing, and Motuo districts; Linzhi (Ngingchi) county, Dongjiu district.

Alternate Names

Canglo Monba, Cangluo Menba, Cangluo Monba, Central Monpa, Menba, Monba, Monpa, Motuo Menba, Sangla, Tsangla Monba, Tsanglo

Language Status

6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality: Menba.

Language Use

All domains, except for Buddhist scriptures which are recited in Classical Tibetan. Some young people, all adults. Positive attitudes. Also use Central Tibetan [bod]. Also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: A minority are literate in either Tibetan script or Chinese script.

Other Comments

Different from Angami Naga [njm] of India. Buddhist.

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India

Language NameTshangla

User Population

11,200 in India (2007). 8,200 in Kameng District; 3,000 in West Siang.

Location

Arunachal Pradesh state: West Kameng district, Dirang area; Assam state: Udalguri district, Mechuka and Tuting sub-districts, Bishing Mechuka, Bona, Dorgling Halung, Galling, Korfu, Namsu, Opu, Sangti, Tempang, and Tuting villages; possibly West Siang district.

Alternate Names

Cangluo Menba, Central Monpa, Dirang, Memba, Menba, Monba, Monpa, Motuo, Sangla, Sharchopkha, Tsangla

Language Status

5 (Dispersed).

Language Use

Used by all. Some also use English [eng]. Also use Adi [adi]. Also use Hindi [hin]. Used as L2 by Chug [cvg], Khamba [kbg], Lish [lsh].

Other Comments

A Scheduled Tribe. Chowdhury (1996) separates Memba (Tshangla) and Khamba as different tribes in Siang District, both separate from Monpa, in Kameng District. Buddhist.

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Tshangla

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A language of Bhutan

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