Endangered Languages of Central Tibet

Central Tibet, home to Lhasa and the heart of Tibetan Buddhism, is primarily dominated by the Central Tibetan dialect. However, several minority languages in this region are endangered due to urbanization, government policies, and the increasing use of Standard Tibetan and Mandarin. These languages have few speakers left, and some may disappear within a few generations.

1. Gyarong (Jiarong)

• Speakers: About 50,000–60,000, mostly in Sichuan, with a small community in Tibet.
• Status: Endangered—younger speakers prefer Tibetan or Mandarin.
• Region: Small pockets of speakers found in Lhoka (Shannan) and Chamdo Prefectures.
• Threats:
  • Loss of intergenerational transmission.
  • Strong influence of Tibetan and Mandarin in schools.
• Preservation Efforts:
  • Chinese and international linguists are recording oral traditions.
• Sample Words:
  • “tɕʰi˥” – ‘sun’
  • “ama” – ‘mother’
  • “tʂʰu˥” – ‘water’

2. Khroskyabs (Lavrung)

• Speakers: Around 10,000, mostly in Sichuan and Tibet.
• Status: Endangered—spoken mainly by the older generation.
• Region: Found in remote villages of Nagqu and Chamdo Prefectures.
• Threats:
  • No written tradition.
  • Limited local education in the language.
• Preservation Efforts:
  • Some documentation exists, but no large-scale revitalization projects.
• Sample Words:
  • “ŋa˧tʰa˥” – ‘sun’
  • “aβa˧” – ‘father’
  • “tɕʰu˥” – ‘water’

3. Minyak (Muya)

• Speakers: Estimated 10,000, mostly in Tibet and Sichuan.
• Status: Severely endangered—Mandarin and Tibetan are replacing it.
• Region: Small groups in Chamdo Prefecture.
• Threats:
  • Intergenerational transmission is nearly broken.
  • Strong Mandarin education policies.
• Preservation Efforts:
  • Minimal documentation so far.
• Sample Words:
  • “ndʑɐ˧” – ‘sun’
  • “ɐ˧mɐ˥” – ‘mother’
  • “tɕʰu˥” – ‘water’

Conclusion

Central Tibet’s endangered languages face increasing pressure from dominant Tibetan dialects and Mandarin. These languages, spoken by small communities, are rarely passed down to younger generations. Without immediate preservation efforts, they may disappear within the next few decades.