Kuke

A language of Nepal

ISO 639: ght
Alternate Names: Bhotte, Kutang, Kutang Ghale
Population: 900 (2011 census).
Location:: Gandaki province: Gorkha district, Chum Nubri rural municipality, Chhak, Kwak, Namrung, and Prok villages.
Language Status: 6a (Vigorous).
Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, West Bodish, Ghale
Dialects: Bihi, Chak, Rana. Varieties spoken in Chhak and Kwak villages are reportedly similar to each other and different from all other villages. Lexical similarity: 62%–76% among dialects, 39%–49% with Southern Ghale [ghe], 45%–61% with Northern Ghale [ghh], 18% with Gurung [gvr], 16%–23% with Tamang varieties, 13%–31% with Nubri [kte], 23%–27% with Tsum [ttz], 22%–27% with Kyerung (Kyirong) [kgy], 19%–24% with Tibetan [bod].
Typology: SOV.
Language Use: Some Tibetan religious books translated into Kuke by priests. Home, friends; mixed use: Work. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Many also use Nubri [kte]. Also use Central Tibetan [bod]. Also use Nepali [npi], to communicate with Northern and Southern Ghale speakers, but with minimal proficiency in Bihi village.
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 5%.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Kuke
Writing: Unwritten [Qaax].
Other Comments: Referred to as thieves’ language, a mixture of nearby languages. Buddhist, Hindu.

Location: Gandaki province: Gorkha district, Chum Nubri rural municipality, Chhak, Kwak, Namrung, and Prok villages.