𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐤𝐡𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐋𝐆 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬

…𝑯𝒂𝒂 𝑫𝒛𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒈 𝒍𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝒈𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒆 𝒂 𝒇𝒊𝒗𝒆-𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝑫𝒛𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒌𝒉𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒔𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒔.

By Kezang Choden

Local Government (LG) members from Haa Dzongkhag recently completed a five-day training program aimed at enhancing official correspondence and Dzongkha Unicode skills. The training, which took place from January 27 to February 1, was the first of its kind and was conducted as part of a collaborative effort between Haa Dzongkhag, the Department of Culture, and the Dzongkha Development Division (DoCDD).

The program focused on equipping participants with practical skills for effective communication in Dzongkha. In addition to the core training, attendees participated in sessions on cultural policies and received important talks aimed at promoting Dzongkha usage at the grassroots level. The initiative, supported by funding from Haa Dzongkhag, underlined the commitment to preserving and promoting Dzongkha, Bhutan’s national language, by empowering LG members to use it confidently in their professional duties.

Kelzang Jamtsho, the Cultural Officer of Haa Dzongkhag, highlighted the importance of preserving Dzongkha as a vital element of Bhutanese identity. He emphasized the critical role local governments play in safeguarding the language, noting that dzongkhags have been allocated specific budgets to support various Dzongkha-promoting activities, starting at the gewog level. “Dzongkha promotion should begin with the gewogs, and local government members are essential in reaching out to communities effectively,” he said.

The training aimed to equip LG members with the confidence and skills necessary to draft official documents in Dzongkha, a task that many participants had struggled with in the past. Wang Tshering, the Gup of Gakiling Gewog, explained the challenges faced by officials when attempting to write in Dzongkha. “Without formal training, we often had to ask others for help, but this program has empowered us to write confidently and professionally,” he said. He also noted the difficulties with using the Dzongkha keyboard, which many found more complicated than typing in English.

Ugyen Tenzin, the Mangmi of Katsho Gewog, expressed optimism about the program, particularly for those who often substitute for the Gup in official tasks. He noted that the training, which focused on Dzongkha Unicode, had helped participants improve their typing speed and accuracy. “This training has boosted our confidence and will help us work more efficiently in the future,” he said. Ugyen Tenzin highlighted that many officials are more accustomed to typing in English, which often led to delays and mistakes when working in Dzongkha. “Now, we will be able to type more quickly and accurately, ensuring our official communications are both efficient and accurate.”

Rinchen Khandu, the Thromde Thuemi of Haa, also emphasized the importance of Dzongkha in maintaining Bhutan’s cultural heritage. “As His Majesty always reminds us, it is our duty to preserve Dzongkha,” he said. He noted that the government had issued an executive order encouraging all officials to prioritize Dzongkha in their communications, both formal and informal. “Dzongkha is an integral part of our national identity, and it is essential that we preserve and promote it in our everyday work,” Rinchen Khandu explained.

The training program also covered Dzongkha grammar, sentence structure, and the proper formats for official documents. Participants were actively engaged in practical exercises, demonstrating their eagerness to apply what they had learned. Kelzang Jamtsho observed that the LG members were particularly enthusiastic about improving their skills in writing formal documents. “They understand the importance of clear, professional communication, especially in government work,” he said.

One of the key goals of the program was to encourage greater use of Dzongkha at the local level. By empowering LG members with the necessary skills, Haa Dzongkhag hopes to create a ripple effect that will inspire communities to embrace the language and promote its use. Kelzang Jamtsho noted that by starting the initiative at the gewog level, the impact of the program would be felt more widely across the dzongkhag and beyond. “The grassroots-level efforts will lay a strong foundation for the future of Dzongkha,” he said. “When LG members return to their gewogs, they will be able to pass on their knowledge and encourage others to embrace the language.”

The initiative also aims to foster a sense of pride in Dzongkha, not only as a means of communication but also as an essential part of Bhutan’s cultural heritage. By strengthening Dzongkha proficiency among local government officials, Haa Dzongkhag hopes to ensure that the language remains vibrant and relevant in modern governance. The program is seen as a significant step toward addressing long-standing challenges related to the use of Dzongkha in administrative work, particularly in rural areas.

In addition to the technical aspects of the training, the program also focused on the broader cultural significance of Dzongkha. Rinchen Khandu emphasized that promoting the language was not just about improving communication skills, but also about preserving Bhutan’s unique cultural identity. “Dzongkha is at the heart of our heritage, and it is crucial that we all take responsibility for its growth and sustainability,” he said. “We must work together to ensure that future generations continue to speak, write, and appreciate Dzongkha.”

As the training concluded, participants expressed their satisfaction with the skills they had gained and their commitment to using Dzongkha more effectively in their roles. Wang Tshering, the Gup of Gakiling Gewog, noted that the training had given him and his colleagues the tools they needed to be more effective in their administrative duties. “The training has given us the confidence to draft official letters, documents, and reports in Dzongkha without hesitation,” he said. “We are now better equipped to serve our communities and ensure that Dzongkha remains a central part of our work.”

By prioritizing Dzongkha at the local level, Haa Dzongkhag hopes to inspire communities across the country to embrace and protect the language. The goal is to foster a collective effort to preserve Dzongkha for future generations, ensuring it remains a key pillar of Bhutan’s national identity.