Kyrgyz
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A language of Kyrgyzstan
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Kara-Kirgiz, Kirghiz, Kirgiz
Autonym
кыргыз тили (Kyrgyz tili), кыргызча (Kyrgyzcha)
Population
4,170,000 (2014). Ethnic population: 3,800,000 (2009 census). Total users in all countries: 4,908,350.
Location
Widespread.
Language Maps
Language Status
1 (National). Statutory national language (2010, Constitution, Art 5 (1)).
Classification
Dialects
Northern Kyrgyz, Southern Kyrgyz.
Typology
SOV;postpositions; no articles; case-marking (7 cases); verb affixes mark person, number; passives; tense; 19 consonant and 8 vowel phonemes; non-tonal; stress on final syllable; vowel harmony.
Language Use
L1 for 98% of Kyrgyz. The Ichkilik are a Kyrgyz-speaking people of non-Kyrgyz origin. Also use Russian [rus].
Language Development
Schools in Kyrghyz. Newspapers. Radio. TV. Videos. Grammar. Bible: 1995–2004.
Language Resources
The names Eastern Kyrghyz and Western Kyrghyz have been erroneously applied to Kazakh. Increasing education. Muslim, Buddhist.