LAZ: a language of Turkey (Asia)

The following is the entry for this language as it appeared in the 14th edition (2000).
It was superseded by the corresponding entry in the 15th edition (2005). See also the corresponding entry in the current edition of Ethnologue.

SIL code: LZZ

ISO 639-2: cau

Population	30,000 first language speakers out of 92,000 in the ethnic group in Turkey (1980 estimate). Population total all countries 33,000 or more.
Region	Rize in northeast, towns of Kemer, Atin, Artasen, Vitse, Arkab, Hopa, Sarp; and villages in Artvin, Sakarya, Kocaeli, and Bolu provinces. Also spoken in Belgium, France, Georgia, Germany, USA.
Alternate names	LAZURI, LAZE, CHAN, CHANZAN, ZAN, CHANURI
Classification	South Caucasian, Zan.
Comments	Linguists recognize that Laz and Mingrelian are inherently unintelligible with each other's speakers. Reported to be 95% bilingual in Turkish, with only the older people not being bilingual. Their name for their language is 'Lazuri'. Not a written language in Turkey. Fishermen. Muslim.

Also spoken in:

Georgia

Language name	LAZ
Population	2,000 in Georgia (1982 estimate).
Alternate names	LAZE, CHAN, CHANZAN, ZAN, CHANURI
Dialects	XOPA (HOPA), CHXALA (CKHALA), VICE-ARXAVA (VITAL-ARKHAVA), ATINA, SAMURZAKAN-ZUGDIDI, SENAKI.
Comments	Officially considered to be a single language with Mingrelian, called 'Zan', although linguists recognize that they are not inherently intelligible with each other. Georgian used as literary language. Their name for their language is 'Lazuri'. Not a written language in Georgia or Turkey. Muslim. See main entry under Turkey.