Tibetan Language

*Tibetan
Tibetan is the dialect in Tibet. It belongs to the Tibetan sub-branch of the Tibetan-Myanmese language branch of the Chinese-Tibetan language family. According to geographical divisions, it has three major local dialects: Weizang, Kang and Amdo. The Tibetan script, an alphabetic system of writing, was created in the early 7th century. With four vowels and 30 consonants, it is used in all areas inhabited by Tibetans.

*Mandarin
Most of the Tibetans can speak mandarin pretty well, as they learnt it at school. Many signs, buses, ticket offices, menus, etc., show only Chinese characters. For travelers, to learn a little mandarin is easier for you to get most things done.

*English
English is spoken at foreigner's hotels in the cities, restaurants popular with tourists, the Foreign Affairs Section of PSB, travel agencies, etc.