Hunzib

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A language of Russian Federation

ISO 639-3
huz
Alternate Names
Enzeb, Ghunzib, Gunzib, Hontl’os myts, Khunzal, Khunzaly, Khvanal, Xunzal
User Population

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

Location

Dagestan republic: Tsuntinsky district, Garbutl, Gunzib and Nakhada; Kizilyurtovksy district, Stalskoe.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Nakh-Daghestanian, Tsezic, East Tsezic
Dialects

None known. Separate from Bezhta [kap] (1989 B. Comrie) but reportedly 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 (Salminen 2007). Home. Some young people, all adults, few child speakers. Positive attitudes. Also use Avar [ava]. Also use Bezhta [kap]. Also use Russian [rus].

Language Development

No literacy in Hunzib. Avar [ava] is literary language. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Hunzib
Writing

Unwritten [Qaax].

Other Comments

Muslim.

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