The Sino-Tibetan languages are a large language family primarily spoken in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of South Asia. This family includes two major branches: Sinitic, which encompasses the various forms of Chinese, and Tibeto-Burman, which includes languages spoken in Tibet, Myanmar, and surrounding regions. These languages are known for their tonal nature, meaning that the pitch or intonation used when pronouncing a word can change its meaning. The Sino-Tibetan family is one of the largest language families in the world, with hundreds of languages and dialects, reflecting a rich diversity of cultures and histories.