| Population |
270,000 in Pakistan (1992). Population total all countries: 308,800. |
| Region |
Primarily northeast Pakistan, Baltistan District, Skardu, Rondu, Shigar, Khapalu, Kharmang, and Gultari valleys. Also in India. |
| Language map |
Northern Pakistan, reference number 7
|
| Alternate names |
Baltistani, Bhotia of Baltistan, Sbalti |
| Dialects |
Chorbat is most divergent dialect. Lexical similarity: 87%–100% among dialects, 78%–85% with Purik [prx]. |
| Classification |
Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Himalayish, Tibeto-Kanauri, Tibetic, Tibetan, Western |
| Language use |
Some also use Shina [scl] or Urdu [urd]. |
| Language development |
Literacy rate in L2: 3%–5% in Urdu. Bible portions: 1903–1940. |
| Writing system |
Arabic script. Balti script, no longer in use. Devanagari script. |
| Comments |
Muslim (Shi’a). |
