Tibetan, a Tibetic language, belongs to the Sino-Tibetan language family and is primarily spoken in Tibet, as well as parts of Nepal, India, and Bhutan. It has a rich history that dates back over a millennium. The earliest known form of the language was Classical Tibetan, which emerged during the 7th century, coinciding with the rise of the Tibetan Empire under King Songtsen Gampo. This period saw the development of the Tibetan script, which was based on Indian scripts and adapted for the Tibetan language. Buddhist texts translated from Sanskrit were also an important part of the linguistic and cultural development, influencing both the language and literature.

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Over time, Tibetan evolved into several dialects, with the central dialect of Lhasa becoming the standard and most widely used form, especially in modern Tibet. The language has played a crucial role in preserving Tibetan culture, particularly through its use in Tibetan Buddhism. In the 20th century, Tibetan faced challenges due to political and social changes, including Chinese rule over Tibet and the spread of Mandarin Chinese. Despite these challenges, Tibetan remains a vital language for millions of speakers and is actively taught and preserved in Tibetan communities worldwide.