I listened to a very interesting programme on the BBC about languages in Bhutan today. It mentioned that although the 19 or so indigenous languages of Bhutan have equal status, in theory at least. In practise, particularly in education, the main languages used are Dzongkha / Bhutanese and English, and to a lesser extent, Nepali. Kids are discouraged from, or even punished, for speaking other languages in school. Moreover none of the indigenous languages, apart from Dzongkha, are written, and people are starting to worry about their future.
At the same time it was mentioned that it’s common for people in Bhutan to speak 6 or 7 languages, and that someone who speaks only 3 or 4 is considered unusual.
Languages spoken in Bhutan include: Dzongkha, Chocangaca, Lakha, Brokkat, Brokpa, Laya, Khams Tibetan, Bumthang, Kheng, Kurtöp, Dzala, Nyen, ‘Ole, Dakpa, Chali, Tshangla, Gongduk, Lepcha, Lhokpu, Chamling, Limbu, Nupbi, Sikkimese, Groma, Toto, Nepali and English. More details.
Have you studied any of the languages of Bhutan? Or been to Bhutan? Do you know any more about the linguistic situation there?
There is something not clear in the post. Here is written that “Moreover none of the languages, apart from Dzongkha and English, are written”; but here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Bhutan (In the first paragraph) it is written though Lepcha and Nepali are literary languages in other countries, So, Lepcha is a written language too?
2- Tshangla is listed as a language only spoken, but what to say about the book written by Erik E. Andvik by Brill company http://www.amazon.com/Grammar-Tshangla-Tibetan-Studies-Library/dp/9004178279/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413933197&sr=8-1&keywords=A+Grammar+of+Tshangla.
3- for the ones interested in Bhutanese language, this site is cool http://www.dzongkha.gov.bt/