Laya Dialect

The people of Laya area in north-western Bhutan speak Ngalongkha or Dzongkha with marked difference from other speakers. Beside accents, there are also language features in Laya dialect which are distinct from other dialects. Ngalongkha is the native language of the western valleys of Bhutan extending from Pelela pass to Haa Valley. It has many dialects and belongs to the Central Bodish group according to the leading linguists working on Bhutan. Since the state administration of Bhutan was based in the western region from the 17th to the 20th century, the language became the medium of official administration.