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Joyig script

Brahmic writing system for the Dzongkha language

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Historically developed and used exclusively within Bhutan, Jogyig is characterised by its fluid, rapid, and continuous stroke structure, facilitating efficient handwritten communication. Known also as Mönyig (Mön script), Lhoyig (Southern script) or Drukyig (Bhutanese script), it is believed to have been drafted by the translator Denma Tsemang in the 8th century. It is considered halfway between the Üchen (དབུ་ཅན་) and Umê (ཁྱུག་ཡིག་) scripts. Because it is written quickly, it got its name Jogyig or "fast script". It is a syllabic segmental abugida with 30 consonants, 5 vowels and numerous symbols used in religious texts.

Presently, there is no standalone policy specifically for the status of Jogyig in Bhutan; however, it is widely used by government bodies, institutions, monastic groups and in everyday life. As most of the state's internal treasure texts, administrative documents, and correspondence were historically written in Jogyig, the script is a foundational component of Bhutan’s literature and cultural heritage. The Dzongkha Development Commission considers Jogyig to be the authentic script for Bhutanese.

Etymology

According to traditional Bhutanese accounts, before the introduction of Buddhism, the region was sparsely populated and heavily forested. The area was historically referred to as the "Land of Snow-Clad Mountains and Ravines" (Khawa Ribrag gi Yul), and its inhabitants were known as Ribragpa.

According to the Gyalrab Lhoi Chojung (Tibetan: རྒྱལ་རབས་ལྷོའི་ཆོས་འབྱུང་, Wylie: rgyal rabs lho'i chos 'byung) (History of Southern Buddhism), subsequent settlements were established by figures exiled from India, including Prince Sindhu Raja, who established himself in Bumthang Chokhor alongside his ministers and subjects. He would later be known as Chakhar Gyalpo, among the first Kings of Bhutan. During the 8th century, he invited Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) to the region, which introduced Buddhism into Bhutan. Following his arrival, the terms Mön Bumthang and Mön Paro emerged, with the broader region becoming known as Mönyul (Land of Mön) and its local script as Mönyig.

Tibetans referred to this script as Lhoyig (Southern script) because it originated south of the Tibetan Plateau. While the terms Mönyig and Lhoyig remained in use until the 19th century, the script's rapid, fluid execution led to the widespread adoption of the term Joyig (literally "fast script"). Today, it is primarily known as Joyig, though it is occasionally referred to as Drukyig (Bhutanese script).

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