Algeria
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Algerian Sign Language
[asp] Status: 6a (Vigorous). Dialects: It influenced the deaf community in Oujda in northern Morocco.
Classification: Deaf sign language
Arabic, Algerian Saharan Spoken
[aao] Morocco border along Atlas mountains, northeast to Medea (south of Algiers), southeast to Righ Wadi, south as far as plateau du Tademait; some in Tamanrasset town. Also in Egypt, Niger. 100,000 in Algeria (1996). Population total all countries: 130,500. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Saharan Arabic, Tamanghasset Arabic, Tamanrasset Arabic Dialects: Structurally distinct from other Arabic varieties.
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Arabic, Algerian Spoken
[arq] Widespread. Also in Belgium, Egypt, France, Germany, Saint Pierre and Miquelon. 26,000,000 in Algeria (2012 Sherbrooke University), increasing. Population total all countries: 27,997,000. Status: 3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language. Alternate Names: Algerian Dialects: Algiers, Constantine, Oran.
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic Comments: Muslim (Sunni), Christian.
Arabic, Standard
[arb] Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (1996, Constitution, Article 3). Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Chenoua
[cnu] Chenoui in Mount Chenoua area; Beni Menacer west and south of Mount Chenoua area; Djebel Bissa in Chlef Province, Mount Bissa area, Tacheta forest area, and Beni Haoua village (Genevois and Reesink 1973). 76,300 (2007 Laval University). Estimated Beni Menacer population is 61,000 (2007). 15,300 for Chenoui (2007 Laval University). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Chenoui Dialects: Beni Menacer (Chleuh, Tachelhit, Tamenracit), Chenoui, Djebel Bissa, Tamazight de l’Atlas blidéen (Beni-Salah). Lexical similarity: 77% with Tachawit [shy], 76% with Kabyle [kab].
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern Comments: Muslim.
French
[fra] Mostly cities. 10,200 in Algeria (2012 Laval University). Status: 3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language, in higher education. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French
Kabyle
[kab] Grande Kabylie mountain range, west Kabylia. Lesser Kabyle in Aokas area. Also in Belgium, France. 5,000,000 in Algeria (2012). Estimates by some sources are up to 6,000,000 in Algeria (1998). Population total all countries: 5,586,000. Status: 5 (Developing). Statutory language of national identity (2002, Constitutional Revision, Law No. 02-03). Alternate Names: Amazigh, Tamazight, Taqbaylit Dialects: Greater Kabyle, Lesser Kabyle (Tasahlit). Lesser Kabyle (Tasahlit) may be a separate language.
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Kabyle Comments: Kabyle reported by some sources to derive from the Arabic word for tribesman. Patrilineal and patrilocal. Muslim, Christian.
Korandje
[kcy] Southwestern Algeria, Tabelbala oasis, about halfway between Bechar and Tindouf, 3 villages: Kwara (Zaouia), Ifrnyu (Cheraia), Yami (Mahkhlouf). 3,000 (2011). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Kwarandzyey Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Songhai Comments: Ethnonym: Belbalis.
Tachawit
[shy] Aurès mountains, south and southeast of Grand Kabylie. 1,400,000 (1993). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Chaouia, Chawi, Shawia, Shawiya, Tacawit Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Zenati, Shawiya Comments: Muslim.
Tachelhit
[shi] South near Morocco border, Tabelbala area. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Shilha, Southern Shilha, Tachilhit, Tashelhait, Tashelhayt, Tashelhit, Tasoussit Dialects: Susiua (Sousse, Sus).
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Atlas Comments: ‘Shilha’ is the Arabic name for Moroccan Berber varieties in general. Muslim.
Tagargrent
[oua] South of Constantine, near Mzab. Ouargla and Ngouça are main centers. 5,000 (1995). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Ouargla, Ouargli, Wargla Dialects: Ouedghir (Wadi), Tariyit, Temacin. Related to Tumzabt [mzb] and Temacine Tamazight [tjo]. Only moderate comprehension of Tumzabt. Tariyit dialect is spoken by the Haratine (former slaves of the Ouargli people).
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Zenati, Mzab-Wargla Comments: Muslim.
Tamahaq, Tahaggart
[thv] South Hoggar (Ajjer) mountain area, Hoggar, Tamanghasset area and south to Niger border. Ghat dialect in southeast, Ganet area and west. Also in Libya, Niger. 40,000 in Algeria. Population total all countries: 77,000. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Tamachek, Tamashekin, Tomachek, Touareg, Tourage, Tuareg Dialects: Ghat (Djanet, Ganet), Hoggar (Ahaggaren, Ajjer, Tahaggart).
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Tamasheq, Northern Comments: Ethnonym: Tuareg (pl.), Targi (sg.). Muslim.
Tamazight, Temacine
[tjo] Temacine, Tamelhat, Ghomra, and Meggarin areas, but mostly in Bledit Amor. 6,000 (1995). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Touggourt, Tougourt, Tugurt Dialects: Related to Tumzabt [mzb] and Tagargrent [oua]. Possibly a dialect of Tagargrent.
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Zenati, Mzab-Wargla Comments: Muslim.
Tamazight, Tidikelt
[tia] Tidikelt, Salah area, and Tit south. 1,000 (2011), decreasing. Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Dialects: Tidikelt, Tit.
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Zenati, Tidikelt Comments: Muslim.
Tarifit
[rif] Coastal, east Alteria to Arzeu. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: Fifia, Northern Shilha, Rif, Riff, Rifi, Ruafa, Shilha, Tirifie Dialects: Arzeu, Igzennaian, Iznacen (Beni Iznassen).
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Zenati, Riff Comments: Muslim.
Taznatit
[grr] Gourara region; Igli, Taghit, Ouakda (Bechar), Beni Ounif, Boussemghoun. Dying out in Touat region. Also in Morocco. 58,000 in Algeria (2007 Laval University). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Zenatiyya Dialects: Gourara (Gurara), South Oran, Touat (Tuat, Tuwat). Related to Tumzabt [mzb], Tagargrent [oua], and Temacine Tamazight [tjo], but not as similar as they are to each other. Low intelligibility of other Tamazight speech forms, including Tumzabt and Tagargrent.
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Zenati, Mzab-Wargla Comments: Muslim.
Tumzabt
[mzb] Mzab region south of Algiers. 7 oases, Ghardaia is principal one. 150,000 (Moseley 2007). Women are monolingual. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Ghardaia, Mozabite, Mzab, Mzabi Dialects: Only minor dialect variations. Related to Tagargrent [oua] and Temacine Tamazight [tjo].
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Zenati, Mzab-Wargla Comments: Strong cultural vitality. Tumzabt villages are interspersed among Arabic-speaking villages. Muslim (Ibadi).