Languages in Bhutan

A tour to Bhutan will let you come across various languages in Bhutan differing according to the different regions. Dzongkha is the official language of Bhutan. This language is derived from Tibetan. It is a rather difficult language to be understood. But this is no issue at all. You will also find people speaking in English because of the growth of tourist industry in the country. However, all government documents and road signs are written in both English and Dzongkha. You will find that Kuensel, which is the national newspaper, is written in three different languages namely Dzongkha, English, and Nepali.

The variation in the different languages in Bhutan is due to the various regions of the country. You will find around 24 languages in Bhutan. Listed below are the different languages that are spoken in Language in Bhutan.

Adap – South central between Damphu and Shemgang, Ada village, Wangdue Phodrang District.

Brokkat – Dur in central Bumthang District.

Brokpake – Sakteng Valley East of Trashigang District, mainly in Merak and Sakteng villages.

Bumthangkha – Central Bhutan

Chalikha – In and around Chali area, Mongar District, east Bhutan, north of Monggar

Chocangacakha – East of Dzongkha, in lower areas of Monggar District, Tsamang and Tsakaling villages, and Lhuntsi District, Kurmet village. Dakpakha – Near Brokpake.

Dzalakha – Northeastern in Lhüntsi, Kurto District.

Gongduk – Eastern Bhutan, Mongar District, Gongdu Gewog, villages of Dagsa, Damkhar, Pangthang, Pam, Yangbari, Bala.

Khengkha – Zhemgang, Mongar districts; near Bumthangkha. Middle dialect in northwest part of Zhemgang. Upper dialect is northeast of Zhemgang; also Mongar District. Lower Kheng is in southern Zhemgang

Layakha – Northern Punakha District, around Laya; Gasa District; Thimphu District, Lingzhi gewog

Lepcha – Lower valleys in the west and south

Lhokpu – South western Bhutan, between Samtsi and Phuntsoling in Samtsi District, in 2 villages of Taba and Damtey. Also in Loto Kuchu, Sanglong, Sataka, and Lotu villages.

Lunanakha – North, northeastern quadrant of Punakha District, community of Lunana, on the Pho Chhu River north from Punakha, on the right fork about halfway up the valley

Nepali – In the foothills the entire length of Bhutan, especially south central

Nupbikha – Around Trongsa town Nyenkha – Sephu Geo

Tshangla – Eastern and southeastern Bhutan, especially in Tashigang and Dungsam

Olekha – Central Bhutan Lakha – Bhutan Tibetan – Bhutan Tseku – Bhutan