Page Type: languageLhowa | Ethnologue

LOY ISO 639-3

Lhowa

ल्होवा‎ (Lhowa) Autonym

A language of Nepal

ISO 639
loy
Alternate Names
Glo Skad, Lhopa, Lo Montang, Loba, Loke, Loket, Lopa, Lowa, Loyu, Mustangi
Autonym
ल्होवा‎ (Lhowa)
Population
7,500 (2011). 5,000 Upper Mustang and 2,500 Baragaunle.
Location:
Gandaki province: Mustang district, upper Kali Gandaki river valley; Bahargaun Muktikhsetra, Dalome, and Lo Manthang municipalities.
Language Status
6a (Vigorous). Language of recognized indigenous nationality: Bahragaunle, Lhopa.
Classification
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, Central Bodish, Central, gTsang
Dialects
Bahragaunle (Bahragaun, “Bhoti Gurung” (pej.)), Upper Mustang (Loke). High intelligibility between dialects reported. Lexical similarity: 79%–88% between dialects, 59%–71% with Dolpo [dre], 54%–57% with Lhasa Tibetan [bod], 58%–67% with Mugom [muk].
Typology
SOV; postpositions; noun head initial; 5 noun classes and 3 genders; content q-word in situ; at least 2 suffixes; no passives or voice; tonal; 44 consonant and 8 vowel phonemes.
Language Use
Some youth totally educated outside language area and may not be able to speak Loke. Tibetan [bod] is used in religious domain. Home, friends. Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use Central Tibetan [bod]. Also use Nepali [npi]. Used as L2 by Dolpo [dre], Seke [skj].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 41% for whole district, includes Thakalis, Nepalis. (males 57%, females 28%). Non-formal education. Dictionary. Grammar.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Lhowa
Writing
Devanagari script [Deva]. Tibetan script [Tibt].
Other Comments
Distinct from Lhoba in China and India, a Mirish language. Lo inhabitants are called Lopa or Lowa. Their capital is Manthang, called Mustang by outsiders. Manthang has 200 houses, many monasteries. Buddhist, traditional religion.

Also Spoken in

Map

Location: Gandaki province: Mustang district, upper Kali Gandaki river valley; Bahargaun Muktikhsetra, Dalome, and Lo Manthang municipalities.