Dzongkha (Bhutanese)

Dzongkha, occasionally Ngalopkha, is the national language of Bhutan. The word "dzongkha" means the language (kha) spoken in the dzongdzong being the fortress-like monasteries established throughout Bhutan by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal in the 17th century. Linguistically, Dzongkha is a South Tibetan language. It is closely related to and partially intelligible with Sikkimese, the national language of the erstwhile kingdom of Sikkim; and to some other Bhutanese languages such as Cho-cha-na-ca, Brokpa, Brokkat, and Lakha.