Bhutan

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, Kurtöp, Kürthöpka 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: 4 (Educational). 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