Dzongkha is the national language of the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan.
The name Dzongkha means “the language of the fortress” or “the language of the dzong,” referring to Bhutan’s historic fortified monasteries and administrative centers. It belongs to the Sino-Tibetan language family and is particularly associated with western Bhutan, although it serves as a national language throughout the country.
Dzongkha is written using the Tibetan script. Bhutan’s official written form uses conventions and vocabulary that reflect the country’s own history and cultural traditions, rather than simply reproducing modern Standard Tibetan. English is also widely used in education and government, but it is not Bhutan’s national language.
Nepali, Tibetan and several other languages are spoken in Himalayan communities, which can cause confusion when identifying Bhutan’s national language. Dzongkha is the precise answer because Bhutan’s constitution and public institutions give it that official national status.