Population
Lepcha is spoken by minorities in the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal, as well as parts of Nepal and Bhutan. Where it is spoken, it is considered to be an aboriginal language, pre-dating the arrival of the Tibetan languages (Sikkimese, Dzongkha, and others) and more recent Nepali language. Lepcha speakers comprise four distinct communities: the Renjóngmú of Sikkim; the Támsángmú of Kalimpong, Kuresong, and Mirik; the ʔilámmú of Ilam District, Nepal; and the Promú of southwestern Bhutan. Lepcha groups in India are larger than those in Nepal and Bhutan.
Lepcha speakers estimate their own numbers to near 53,000, however actual numbers of native Lepcha speakers in India may be closer to 30,000.
Read more about this topic: Lepcha Language
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