Bhutan

Summary

Official Name: Kingdom of Bhutan
Population: 772,000
Principal Languages: Dzongkha, English
Literacy Rate: 67% (2017 UNESCO)
International Conventions: CSICH (2012)
General References: Coelho 1967, Matisoff 1991, Matisoff et al 1996, Singh 1972, Van Driem 1997, Van Driem 2007, White 1971
Deaf Population: 6,170
Language Counts: The number of established languages listed for Bhutan is 23. All are living languages. Of these, 21 are indigenous and 2 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 3 are institutional, 1 is developing, 4 are vigorous, and 15 are in trouble. Also listed are 4 unestablished languages.

Languages

Assamese asm: Scattered in south. Users: 26,200 in Bhutan (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Outer Languages, Eastern, Bengali-Assamese
Bantawa bap: Scattered in western border areas. Users: 19,200 in Bhutan (2002). Status: Unestablished. Used by Rai people dispersed in Bhutan. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Himalayan, Kiranti, Eastern
Bengali ben: Users: 20,100 in Bhutan (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Outer Languages, Eastern, Bengali-Assamese
Brokkat bro: Bumthang district: north of Byakar Dzong monastery. Users: 300 (Van Driem 1993). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Brokskad, Jokay Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, Central Bodish, Central, Southern
Brokpake sgt: Trashigang district: Merak and Sakteng villages in east Sakteng valley. Users: 5,000 (2006 census). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Brokpa, Dakpa, Damilo, Dap, Drokpakay, Jobikha, Mera Sagtengpa, Meragsagstengkha, Mira Sagtengpa, Sagtengpa Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, Central Bodish, Central, Southern
Bumthangkha kjz: Bumthang district; southwest Lhuentse district; northwest Mongar district; north and west Trongsa district; possibly northeast border areas. Users: 20,000 (2011 SIL). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Bhumtam, Bumtang, Bumtangkha, Bumtanp, Bumthang, Bumthapkha, Kebumtamp Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, East Bodish, Bumthang
Chalikha tgf: Mongar district: Gorsum, Tormazhong, and Wangmakhar villages; Chali area, east bank of Kurichhu river. Users: 1,500 (2011 SIL). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Chali, Chalipkha, Tshali, Tshalingpa Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, East Bodish, Bumthang
Chocangacakha cgk: Lhuentse district: Autsho, Budur, Gorgen, Jarey, Karmashangshang, Kupinyelsa, Kurmet, Kurmey, Lingmithang, Minje, Tamochhu, Thridangbi, and Tormazhog; Mongar district: lower areas east of Dzongkha, Tsakaling, and Tsamang. Users: 30,000 (2011 SIL). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Chocangaca, Chocha Ngacha, Kursmadkha, Maphekha, Rtsamangpa’ikha, Tsagkaglingpa’ikha, Tsamang, rTsamangpa’i kha Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, Central Bodish, Central, Southern
Dakpakha dka: Trashigang district: Chaleng, Dangpholeng, Lengkhar, Phongmey, and Yobinang near Radhi; Brokpake area. Users: 2,000 (2011 SIL). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Dakpa Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, East Bodish
Dzalakha dzl: Lhuentse district: northeast; Trashi-Yangtse district: all except south. Users: 22,000 (2011 SIL). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Dzala, Dzalamat, Yangtsebikha Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, East Bodish, Bumthang
Dzongkha dzo: Haa, Paro, Punakha, and Wangdue Phodrang districts. Users: 304,000 in Bhutan (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Total users in all countries: 315,080. Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (2008, Constitution, Article 1(8)). Alternate Names: Bhotia of Bhutan, Bhotia of Dukpa, Bhutanese, Drukha, Drukke, Dukpa, Jonkha, Zongkhar Autonym: རྫོང་ཁ་‎ (Dzongkha) Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, Central Bodish, Central, Southern
English eng: Widespread. Status: 3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
Gongduk goe: Mongar district: Gongdu Gewog division, Bala, Dagsa, Damkhar, Pam, Pangthang, and Yangbari. Users: 2,400 (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Gongdubikha Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish
Khengkha xkf: Mongar district: southwest; eastern Sarpang and southeast Trongsa districts: smaller areas; Zhemgang district: widespread. Users: 65,000, all users. L1 users: 50,000 (2003 SIL). L2 users: 15,000. 30,000 monolinguals. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Ken, Keng, Kenkha, Khen, Khenkha, Kyengkha Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, East Bodish, Bumthang
Kurtokha xkz: Lhuentse district: bounded by Kurichhu river east and north, Tangmachhu village south, and Rudong La pass west. Users: 15,000 (2011 SIL). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Gurtü, Kurteopkha, Kurthopkha, Kurtobikha, Kurtopakha, Kurtotpikha, Kürthöpka Autonym: Kurtöp Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, East Bodish, Bumthang
Kurux kru: Chhukha and Samtse districts: probably scattered small groups. Users: 10,000 in Bhutan (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Kurukh, Oraoan, Uraon Classification: Dravidian, Northern
Lakha lkh: Wangdue Phodrang district: central west, into Trongsa district. Users: 8,000 (Van Driem 1993). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Tshangkha Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, Central Bodish, Central, Southern
Layakha lya: Gasa district; Punakha district: Laya area; Thimphu district: Lingzhi Gewog. Users: 1,100 (2003). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, Central Bodish, Central, Southern
Lepcha lep: Samtse district: Amo river area, east and south lower valleys. Users: 2,900 in Bhutan (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Lapcha, Nünpa, Rongke, Rongpa, Róng, Róng-ríng, Róngkup Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Central Tibeto-Burman, Lepcha
Lhokpu lhp: Samtse district: Damtey, Loto Kuchu, Lotu, Sanglong, Sataka, and Taba villages between Samtsi and Phuntsoling. Users: 2,500 (Van Driem 1993). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Lhobikha, Taba-Damey-Bikha Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish
Lunanakha luk: Gasa district: Lunana, on Pho Chhu river north from Punakha, right fork halfway up the valley. Users: 700 (1998). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, Central Bodish, Central, Southern
Nepali npi: Chhukha district: small border area; southwest Dagana district; especially west (Samtse), central (Sarpang) and east (southern Samdrup Jongkhar) districts; south Tsirang district. Users: 33,100 in Bhutan (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: 5* (Dispersed). De facto language of provincial identity in entire length of foothills, especially south central region. Alternate Names: Eastern Pahari, Gorkhali, Gurkhali, Khaskura, Lhotshammikha, Nepalese, Parbatiya Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Eastern, Eastern Pahari
Nupbikha npb: Trongsa district: enclave south of Tongsa Dzong. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Trongsakha Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, East Bodish, Bumthang
Nyenkha neh: Trongsa district: Tangsibji sub-district and western areas; Wangdue Phodrang district: east. Users: 10,000 (2006 Royal Government of Bhutan). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Henkha, Lap, Mangdhika, Mangsdekha, Upper Mangdep Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, East Bodish, Bumthang
Olekha ole: Trongsa district: 3 enclaves west of Mangde river; Wangdue Phodrang district: Adha, Jangji, Rukha, Thrumzur, and Wangling villages; dialects separated by the Black mountains. Users: 500 (Van Driem 2007). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Black Mountain Language, Monkha, Monpa, Ole Mönpa Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish
Santhali sat: Users: 5,300 in Bhutan (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Austro-Asiatic, Munda, North Munda, Kherwari, Santali
Tshangla tsj: Mongar district: east; Pemagatshel district: east; Samdrup Jongkhar and Trashigang districts; Trashi-Yangtse district: south. Users: 163,000 in Bhutan (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Total users in all countries: 181,200. Status: 3 (Wider communication). De facto language of provincial identity in eastern and southeastern Bhutan. Alternate Names: Central Monpa, Menba, Monpa, Sangla, Sarchapkkha, Shachobiikha, Shachopkha, Sharchagpakha, Sharchhokpa, Sharchhop, Sharchokpa-lo, Tsangla, Tschanglo, Tshalingpa Autonym: ཆང་ལོ་‎ (Tshanglo) Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish

Languages by Status

1 (National)

Dzongkha

[dzo] 1 (National). Statutory national language (2008, Constitution, Article 1(8)). 304,000 in Bhutan (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Total users in all countries: 315,080.

3 (Wider communication)

English

[eng] 3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language.

Tshangla

[tsj] 3 (Wider communication). De facto language of provincial identity in eastern and southeastern Bhutan. 163,000 in Bhutan (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. Total users in all countries: 181,200.

5 (Dispersed)

Nepali

[npi] 5* (Dispersed). De facto language of provincial identity in entire length of foothills, especially south central region. 33,100 in Bhutan (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

6a (Vigorous)

Chocangacakha

[cgk] 6a* (Vigorous). 30,000 (2011 SIL).

Dzalakha

[dzl] 6a* (Vigorous). 22,000 (2011 SIL).

Khengkha

[xkf] 6a (Vigorous). 65,000, all users. L1 users: 50,000 (2003 SIL). L2 users: 15,000. 30,000 monolinguals.

Nupbikha

[npb] 6a* (Vigorous).

6b (Threatened)

Brokkat

[bro] 6b (Threatened). 300 (Van Driem 1993).

Brokpake

[sgt] 6b (Threatened). 5,000 (2006 census).

Bumthangkha

[kjz] 6b* (Threatened). 20,000 (2011 SIL).

Chalikha

[tgf] 6b* (Threatened). 1,500 (2011 SIL).

Dakpakha

[dka] 6b* (Threatened). 2,000 (2011 SIL).

Gongduk

[goe] 6b (Threatened). 2,400 (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Kurtokha

[xkz] 6b* (Threatened). 15,000 (2011 SIL).

Kurux

[kru] 6b* (Threatened). 10,000 in Bhutan (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Lakha

[lkh] 6b (Threatened). 8,000 (Van Driem 1993).

Layakha

[lya] 6b* (Threatened). 1,100 (2003).

Lepcha

[lep] 6b (Threatened). 2,900 in Bhutan (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Lhokpu

[lhp] 6b (Threatened). 2,500 (Van Driem 1993).

Lunanakha

[luk] 6b* (Threatened). 700 (1998).

Nyenkha

[neh] 6b* (Threatened). 10,000 (2006 Royal Government of Bhutan).

Olekha

[ole] 6b (Threatened). 500 (Van Driem 2007).

Unestablished

Assamese

[asm] Unestablished. 26,200 in Bhutan (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Bantawa

[bap] Unestablished. Used by Rai people dispersed in Bhutan. 19,200 in Bhutan (2002).

Bengali

[ben] Unestablished. 20,100 in Bhutan (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Santhali

[sat] Unestablished. 5,300 in Bhutan (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Maps

Bhutan

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Bhutan with respect to their level of language vitality. Each individual language that has an entry for Bhutan is included in the profile. The horizontal axis represents the estimated level of vitality. The height of each bar indicates the number of languages that are estimated to be at the given level.
The vitality levels and the color coding of the bars match the scheme used in the guide on How many languages are endangered? In this scheme, the levels and colors are as follows:
- Dark green = Institutional (EGIDS 0-4) — The language has been developed to the point that it is used and sustained by institutions beyond the home and community.
- Light green = Stable (EGIDS 5-6a) — The language is not being sustained by formal institutions, but It is still the norm in the home and community that all children learn and use the language.
- Red = Endangered (EGIDS 6b-9) — It is no longer the norm that children learn and use this language.
These three summary levels have been derived by grouping levels in the Expanded Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (EGIDS), which is the more fine-grained scale that Ethnologue uses to assess the status of every language in terms of development versus endangerment; see the Language Status page for a description of the levels of that scale. See also the pages on Development and Endangerment for more discussion.
Language Status Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Bhutan with respect to their status of language development versus language endangerment. Each individual language that has an entry for Bhutan is included in the profile. The horizontal axis represents the estimated level of development or endangerment as measured on the EGIDS scale. (See the pages on Development and Endangerment for a fuller explanation.) The height of each bar indicates the number of languages that are estimated to be at the given level. Consult the Status listings for Bhutan in order to see the specific languages for each level.
The color coding of the bars matches the color scheme used in the summary profile graphs on the navigation maps for the site. In this scheme, the EGIDS levels are grouped as follows:
- Purple = Institutional (EGIDS 0-4) — The language has been developed to the point that it is used and sustained by institutions beyond the home and community.
- Blue = Developing (EGIDS 5) — The language is in vigorous use, with literature in a standardized form being used by some though this is not yet widespread or sustainable.
- Green = Vigorous (EGIDS 6a) — The language is unstandardized and in vigorous use among all generations.
- Yellow = In trouble (EGIDS 6b-7) — Intergenerational transmission is in the process of being broken, but the child-bearing generation can still use the language so it is possible that revitalization efforts could restore transmission of the language in the home.
- Red = Dying (EGIDS 8a-9) — The only fluent users (if any) are older than child-bearing age, so it is too late to restore natural intergenerational transmission through the home; a mechanism outside the home would need to be developed.
- Black = Extinct (EGIDS 10) — The language has fallen completely out of use and no one retains a sense of ethnic identity associated with the language.

Resources

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Digest of the languages of Bhutan ($149.95, 27 page PDF)

Bhutan

Summary

Languages

Languages by Status

Maps

Bhutan

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile

Language Status Profile

Resources

Contributions

Editorial Action