Areal features in Gongduk, Bjokapakha and Black Mountain Mönpa phonology

This paper argues that certain phonological similarities between the three
Trans-Himalayan languages Gongduk, Bjokapakha (Tshangla) and Black
Mountain Mönpa are areal features and discusses the historical and ethno-
linguistic implications of this assumption. The similarities between Gong-
duk and Bjokapakha indicate a situation of areal convergence of recent data.
This contact scenario explains certain aberrancies of Bjokapakha with
regard to other Tshangla varieties. The attestation of some of the phonologi-
cal features in Black Mountain Mönpa is analysed as the result of early con-
tact between Gongduk and Black Mountain Mönpa, i.e. dating back to the
time before the arrival of the East Bodish peoples in Central Bhutan.