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Kyirong language

Kyirong is a language from the subgroup of Tibetic languages^[2] spoken in the Gyirong County of the Shigatse prefecture, of the Tibetan Autonomous Region.

Kyirong has lexical tone, with a three-tone system.^[3]

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,^[4] and more distantly related to other languages in the family.^[5]

There are 36 consonants in Kyirong, which are summarized in the table below.^[3]

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.^[3]

Kyriong has a three tone system; high, medium and low. Low tone is often accompanied by breathy voice.^[3]

• 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.