Kabyle
A language of Algeria
| Population | 2,540,000 in Algeria (1995). Estimates by some sources are up to 6,000,000 in Algeria (1998). 49,000 in Belgium. Population total all countries: 3,126,000. |
| Region | Grande Kabylie Mt. range, west Kabylia. Lesser Kabyle in Aokas town area. Also in Belgium, France. |
| Language map |
Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Western Sahara |
| Alternate names | Amazigh, Tamazight |
| Dialects | Greater Kabyle, Lesser Kabyle (Tasahlit). Lesser Kabyle (Tasahlit) may be a separate language. |
| Classification | Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Kabyle |
| Language use | Home, market. Users have pride in Kabyle and resistance to Arabic. French often used by men in trade and correspondence. Arabic also used. |
| Language development | NT: 1901–1995. |
| Writing system | Arabic script. Latin script. Tifinagh (Berber) script. |
| Comments | ‘Kabyle’ reported by some sources to derive from the Arabic word for ‘tribesman’. Patrilineal and patrilocal. Peasant agriculturalists: olives, figs, pomegranates, peaches, apricots, pears, plums, vegetables. Muslim, secular, Christian. |
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