Himalayan Linguistics

This study explores the basic grammar of Mönkha (Black Mountain language) based on the variety spoken in the Jangbi village, Trongsa, Central Bhutan. Because of its unique lexical and grammatical features, it was referred to as of the three gems of Bhutan after the investigations of the first Linguistic Survey of Bhutan conducted by George van Driem and the Dzongkha Development Commission in the years 1990-1991. The translation of Mönkha examples into Dzongkha is intended for the convenience of Bhutanese and Tibetan readers, and to facilitate the comparative study of Dzongkha and Mönkha.