| Population |
160,000 (1993 Van Driem). Population total both countries 160,000 or more. |
| Region |
Ha, Paru, Punakha districts. Also spoken in Nepal. |
| Alternate names |
DRUKKE, DRUKHA, DUKPA, BHUTANESE, JONKHA, BHOTIA OF BHUTAN, BHOTIA OF DUKPA, ZONGKHAR, RDZONGKHA |
| Dialects |
WANG-THE (THIMPHU-PUNAKHA), HA, NORTHERN THIMPHU. |
| Classification |
|
| Comments |
As different from Lhasa Tibetan as Nepali is from Hindi. Partially intelligible with Sikkimese (Drenjoke). Names listed as dialects may be separate languages. 48% lexical similarity with Sharchagpakha, 47% to 52% with Kebumtamp, 77% with Adap. 'Lhoke' means 'southern language.' National language. Literacy rate in first language: Below 1%. Literacy rate in second language: Below 5%. Ucan script. Common school language. Bible portions 1970. |