Call it modernisation or people’s will and ability to acquire a second language, fewer people want to speak old Dzongkha words which were relatively common in earlier times. This has pushed archaic Dzongkha terminologies on the verge of extinction today. To preserve and encourage Bhutanese to use these terminologies in everyday conversations, a group of individuals published a book based on ancient Dzongkha terminologies.
The Dorji Lopen of the Zhung Dratshang launched the book yesterday in Punakha coinciding with Zhabdrung Kuchoe and the 400th anniversary of the establishment of the monk body.
The book consists of more than 350 pages and is a compilation of over 2,000 old conversational Dzongkha words and terminologies.
The words are compiled in Dzongkha alphabetical order with descriptions to make them easily understandable so that readers will be encouraged to use them in their everyday conversations.
The group has gathered members on WeChat to communicate and research the terms. They have worked for about five years consulting elderly people and Dzongkha experts to compile the book.
“We have looked for elderly people and discussed and confirmed the old terminologies with them for the last five years. We have also consulted the Dzongkha experts before publishing the book,” said Sangay Tenzin, Deputy Chairperson of the group.
Currently, there are two such groups with close to a thousand members on WeChat that promote ancient Dzongkha terms.
The group’s Deputy Chairperson said that if they do not start working to preserve the terms now, it will lead to the disappearance of language which in turn will eventually lead to the extinction of culture and tradition.
“The old terminologies are very easy to use. But in recent times, new terminologies have taken over these words.”
The book will be distributed free of cost in schools and to interested individuals across the country to revive conversational Dzongkha terminologies.
The members of the group along with a few supporters financed the publication of the book.
Changa Dorji, Punakha
Edited by Phub Gyem
