Alternate Names: Dolkha, Dolpa Tibetan, Dolpali, Dolpike, Phoke Dolpa
Dialects: None known. Phoksumdo Lake, Barbung River, and Charka areas are slightly different, but intelligibility is good. The central valleys of Nankong and Dho Tarap are well understood by other varieties. Lexical similarity: 78% with Loke ,, 69% with Lhomi ,, 68% with Lhasa Tibetan ,, Walungge ,, and Kyerung (Kyirong) ,, 67% with Nubri ,, 66% with Helambu Sherpa ,, 62% with Jirel , and Sherpa , (2010 K. Kopp).
Status Notes: Language of recognized indigenous nationality: Dolpo.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 1,670 (2011 census). Ethnic population: 8,000 (2010 K. Kopp).
Language Use: Vigorous. Home, friends, religion, work. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use Central Tibetan [bod], Loke [loy], Nepali [npi]. Used as L2 by Kaike [kzq].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: Below 10%. Literacy materials have been produced and are being tested. Non-formal classes are being planned (2010). Poetry. Dictionary.
Typology: SOV; postpositions; noun head initial; no noun classes or genders; content q-word in situ; 1 prefix, up to 3 suffixes; clause constitutents indicated by case-marking; conjunct or disjunct verbal agree with subject with evidential marking in the verbal auxiliary; gender is marked explicitly in the noun phrase; ergativity; tense and aspect (aspect marked overtly as a verbal suffix); no passives or voice; 36 consonant and 7 vowel phonemes; tonal.
Writing System: Tibetan
Nation of Origin: Nepal
Other Comments: Buddhist (Lamaist).