Alternate Names: Tsumge
Dialects: None known. 71%–78% intelligibility of Nubri ,, 66% of Kyerung (Kyirong) ,; 60%–66% of Lhasa Tibetan ,; 22%–25% of Northern Ghale ,, 14%–22% of Southern Ghale ,, 23%–27% of Kuke ,; 6% of Eastern Gorkha Tamang ,, 14% of Western Gurung ,, 15% of Banspur Tamang. Divided into upper region, Yarba, and lower region, Ushug.
Status Notes: Language of recognized indigenous nationality: Siyar.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 4,790 (2000).
Language Use: Vigorous. Home, friends. All ages. Very positive attitudes. Tibetan [bod] viewed very favorably in religious domain; Nepali [npi] viewed fairly positively as language of education and potential advancement. Minimal bilingualism in Nepali [npi], used only with those who do not understand Tsum.
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 10% or less. A few primary schools.
Typology: SOV.
Writing System: Unwritten
Nation of Origin: Nepal
Other Comments: Ethnonym: Tsumba, Glossonym: Tsumge by Tibetans in Kathmandu. Buddhist (Lamaist).