This study explores the dynamics of Tibetan linguistic and cultural identity within the context of sustained political pressure and assimilationist policies enacted by the Chinese Communist Party since the annexation of Tibet in 1951. It examines how Tibetans maintain their distinct cultural identity and resist state-sponsored sinicisation efforts.
The research employs a mixed-methods approach. Qualitative data was gathered through in-depth interviews with Tibetan refugees, diaspora scholars, and activists based in India and Nepal, alongside textual analysis of Tibetan literature, songs, and digital media. It was derived from surveys conducted among Tibetan youth in exile communities and publicly available demographic and linguistic data from the Tibet Autonomous Region. Ethnographic fieldwork in Dharamshala, the headquarters of the Central Tibetan Administration, further contextualised the lived experiences of cultural preservation.
Findings reveal that despite restrictive language education policies, censorship, and surveillance, Tibetans continue to assert their identity through covert education practices, religious devotion, and artistic expression. Digital resistance, including encrypted messaging apps and social media platforms, has emerged as a vital tool for transnational solidarity and cultural dissemination. Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in exile play a central role in language preservation and cultural education.
This research contributes to the broader discourse on minority resistance under authoritarian regimes and highlights the resilience of Tibetan identity as both a cultural and political form of resistance. It calls for increased international attention to the plight of Tibetan cultural rights and the ongoing struggle for autonomy and preservation of indigenous identity in the face of state-led assimilation.

Authors:
Tenzin Tsephel, Central Institute of Himalayan Culture Studies, India

About the Presenter(s)
I am a Professor of Tibetan Language at the Central Institute of Himalayan Culture Studies. My interests include the Tibetan language and culture. I am researching Chinese policies in Tibet and their impact on Tibetan linguistic and cultura identity.

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