The Light of Dzongkha and English Combination

Dr. C.T. Dorji, Ph. D. is Civil Servant (retd.), Academic, Historian, Connoisseur, Multi-disciplinary Scholar and writer. He is also Guest Lecturer to Paro College of Education (Royal University of Bhutan), Visiting Professor to the Centre for Mahayana Buddhist Studies (Acharya Nagarjuna University), India and Visiting Scholar to the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla, India.

Presently, Dr. Dorji is Political Advisor to Druk Chirwang Tshopga (DCT) and MP Candidate from North Paro to contest in 2013 General Election.

The book titled "The Light of Dzongkha and English Combination" has been developed for the use and benefit of Dzongkha learners based on many bilingual and, trilingual dictionaries which have been acknowledged in the bibliography. The author also used his own experience of study for many years of monastic education and western education systems. Dzongkha alphabets have been well explained with English equivalent. Examples of striking sentences were drawn from Buddhist texts which will not only help in constructing sentence structures but also widen the horizon of learner's knowledge on such area of study. Daily useful typical Dzongkha vocabularies have been incorporated with their English meaning to improve fluency of both Dzongkha and English. Day- to-day useful worldly sayings were included which would help the learners to be more acquainted with the rich cultural heritage of Bhutanese pedigree.

As a matter of fact, the study of a language is an art which has to be learnt perfectly. If you learn the language systematically i.e. learn the vocabulary with spelling and corret pronunciation and compose sentences grammatically correct then it is not difficult to read, write and speak well. Nothing is impossible if you have the determination and perseverance.

It is hoped that this publication will boost interest of the learners in further improving Dzongkha, the national language of Bhutan as a unifying force to achieve the concept of "One Nation, One People" fostered by His Majesty Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck. 4th hereditary King of Bhutan. The equivalent English rendering will certainly help the learners to further improve English composition and speech. This is a "self-taught" book which does not require a teacher but concentration and hard-work. The author will be happy to receive criticism and suggestions from the readers for further improving this publication.

Finally, I am grateful to Lopon Chador, Dzongkha Master and Vice Principal, Yangchenphug Higher Secondary School, Thimphu for editing the MS thoroughly and Ven. Lam Choechong, Director, National Legal Course, High Court and Royal Institute of Management for contributing a Foreword to this book.