The present Dictionary is an attempt to give a rational account of values and meanings of words in Tibetan language, to distinguish the various transitions in periods of literature and varieties of dialect, and to make sure of each step by the help of accurate and copious illustrations and examples.
Assembled by a missionary in Tibet during the mid-nineteenth century, this dictionary has an outstanding reputation and remains an important resource for students of the language and a convenient reference for travellers. Practical and nontechnical, it offers a full sense of the exact range of Tibetan words in their common usage. Since the missionaries were attempting to convey the foreign concepts of Christianity, they kept their language as plain and direct as possible. This volume reflects that clarity, deriving its matter and principles equally from Tibetan literature and speech. Each word is defined in terms of both its written and conversational usage, with accurate and plentiful examples. An English-Tibetan vocabulary offers phonetic pronunciations for hundreds of useful words.
