A Phonetic and Phonological reconstruction of Proto Kurtöp

Abstract

This thesis presents a phonetic and phonological reconstruction of Proto-Kurtöp, an endangered language spoken in the Lhuentse district of northeastern Bhutan. Belonging to the East Bodish subgroup of the Tibeto-Burman language family, Kurtöp exhibits significant internal variation across its dialects. Drawing on phonological, morphological, and lexical comparisons from six dialects, this study reconstructs Proto-Kurtöp forms with a particular focus on florarelated vocabulary, including grains, vegetables, fruits, herbs, mushrooms, and other plant life. The reconstructed lexicon offers insight into the agricultural practices, ecological knowledge, and cultural heritage of the Proto-Kurtöpspeaking community. This research highlights the role of historical reconstruction in documenting and preserving endangered languages. It provides a framework for understanding the internal phylogeny of Kurtöp, revealing both the coherence of core dialects and the distinct features of outliers such as Tangmachu. Beyond its contributions to historical linguistics, the thesis engages with ethnobotany and cultural preservation, emphasizing the deep connections between language, environment, and traditional knowledge systems. The study also reflects on methodological challenges, particularly the limited availability of scientific identifications for region-specific flora. Despite such limitations, it contributes original data to the study of East Bodish languages and proposes future interdisciplinary approaches to language documentation. By reconstructing lost linguistic forms and their cultural contexts, this work aims to support ongoing revitalisation efforts and affirm the importance of endangered languages as repositories of human knowledge and identity.