Tamazight, Central Atlas
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A language of Morocco
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Central Shilha, Middle Atlas Berber, Moroccan Amazigh, Shilha, Tachelhit
Population
2,340,000 (2004 census). 936,000 monolinguals. Total users in all countries: 2,490,000.
Location
Widespread, especially Middle and east High Atlas Mountains, adjacent valleys to Taza, Rabat area; 1,200,000 in rural areas between Taza, Khemisset, Azilal, Errachidia; 100,000 outside the language area.
Language Maps
Language Status
6a (Vigorous).
Classification
Dialects
Much dialect variety. May be more than 1 language.
Typology
VSO; prepositions; noun head initial; gender (masculine/feminine); verb affixes mark person, number, gender of subject; passives; causatives; 34 consonants and 3 vowels; non-tonal.
Language Use
A major Berber language. Many children, adolescents, and younger adults; all older adults and elderly. Also use Moroccan Spoken Arabic [ary], as L2.
Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: Men 25%, women 5%. Literature. Radio. TV. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible portions: 1919–1981.
Language Resources
65% live in rural areas, 10% live outside the traditional area. Muslim.