Kyirong is a language from the subgroup of Tibetic languagesN. Tournadre (2005) "L'aire linguistique tibétaine et ses divers dialectes." Lalies, 2005, n°25, p. 7–56 spoken in the Gyirong County of the Shigatse prefecture, of the Tibetan Autonomous Region.
Kyirong has lexical tone, with a three-tone system.
Relationship to other languages There is a varying degree of mutual intelligibility between Kyirong and other Kyirong-Yolmo varieties. It is most closely related to the Nubri and Gyalsomdo languages, and more distantly related to other languages in the family.
Phonology
Consonants There are 36 consonants in Kyirong, which are summarized in the table below.
Bilabial Apico-Dental Retroflex Lamino-post-alveolar Palatal Velar Glottal Nasal Plosive/Affricate Fricative Liquid Semivowel
Vowels There are eight places of articulation for vowels. There is a length distinction at each place of articulation, as well as a long nasalised vowel.
FrontCentralBackClose Half-close Half-open Open
Tone Kyriong has a three tone system; high, medium and low. Low tone is often accompanied by breathy voice.
Sources
Hedlin, M. (2011). An Investigation of the relationship between the Kyirong, Yòlmo, and Standard Spoken Tibetan speech varieties. Masters thesis, Payap University, Chiang Mai. Huber, B. (2005). The Tibetan dialect of Lende (Kyirong). Beiträge zur tibetischen Erzählforschung, 15.
References