The Centre for Bhutan and GNH Studies has launched a Kurtöp-Dzongkha-English Dictionary. The book was developed to promote and preserve the regional dialect, spoken in Kurtoed, Gangzur and Maenbi Gewogs in Lhuentse.
The dictionary aims to deepen the understanding of the Kurtöp dialect and encourage its usage among younger generations.
The 319-page dictionary contains Kurtöp words in Dzongkha and English scripts, offering Dzongkha translations, English definitions, parts of speech, and illustrative photographs.
The dictionary is the result of years of hard work of Dr Gwendolyn Hyslop, an associate professor and Kuenga Lhendup, a PhD candidate at the University of Sydney. They worked together with Pema Chophyel, a native speaker of the language for the project.
“Dr Gwendolyn Hyslop wrote a grammar of Kurtöp in 2011, and following that, we have been working on section reform for a long time. When writing a dictionary, it is important to have sound, grammar, verbs, and all. That is the reason we chose Kurtöp because there is already a grammar.”
To ensure accessibility, the authors printed 500 copies and plan to distribute them for free in schools and institutions, particularly targeting native speakers.
“If institutions, monasteries, and schools are interested, we will distribute the book for free. The PDF version of this dictionary is also available online. In the long run, if we secure funding, we will also develop it into an app to connect with Gen Z and make it more accessible for them,” added the author.
Looking ahead, the team intends to create similar resources for other regional dialects in Bhutan.
“Currently, we are also developing a writing system for the Black Mountain Monpa language, which is spoken in Jangbi in Trongsa district. They like to have a writing system, maybe a children’s story written in their language with the Dzongkha and English translation,” said Gwendolyn Hyslop (PhD), author of Kurtöp-Dzongkha-English Dictionary.
The authors said the dictionary is a vital step towards preserving the language for future generations. They added that it serves as a resource for educators, linguists, and the Kurtöp-speaking community to maintain and revitalise it.
Through this project, the authors said that they attempt to make the stories, traditions, and knowledge encoded in the language preserved and passed down to future generations.
According to officials, with nearly 20 spoken languages in Bhutan, this publication shows the country’s effort to document and preserve its linguistic heritage.
Namgay Wangdi
Edited by Kipchu
