Hunzib

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A language of Russian Federation

ISO 639-3
huz
Alternate Names
Enzeb, Gunzib, Khunzal, Khunzaly, Xunzal
Population

1,010 in Russian Federation (2010 census). Population total all countries: 1,420. Ethnic population: 2,000.

Location

Southern Dagestan Republic, Tsuntinsky district, Nakhada, Gunzib and Garbutl; Kizilyurtovksy district, Stalskoe. Also in Georgia.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
North Caucasian, East Caucasian, Tsezic, East Tsezic
Dialects

Separate from Bezhta [kap] (1989 Comrie) but very similar to it.

Typology

27 consonants, 16 vowels, word stress generally linked to prefinal vowel; 5 noun classes; agreement between nouns and coreferent adjectives, pronouns, verbs, and adverbs marked by prefixes; nominative-ergative system; demonstratives

Language Use

Avar [ava] and Russian [rus] are used in school and for wider communication (2007). Home. Few child speakers. Mildly positive attitudes. Some also use Russian [rus], Bezhta [kap] or Avar [ava]. Avar is literary language.

Language Development
No literacy in Hunzib. Dictionary. Grammar.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Hunzib
Writing
Unwritten.
Other Comments

Muslim.

Also spoken in:

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