Nafusi

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A language of Libya

ISO 639-3
jbn
Alternate Names
Djerbi, Jabal Nafusi, Jbel Nafusi, Jebel Nefusi, Nefusi
User Population

247,000 in Libya (2020). Preschool children are monolingual in Nafusi. Total users in all countries: 297,000.

Location

Al Jabal al Gharbi and Nalut districts: Jabal Nafusah, Nalut, Tripolitania, and Yafran areas, isolated on Zuara Coast west of Tripoli.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Zenati, East
Dialects

Zuara (Zouara, Zuraa, Zuwara, Zuwarah, Zwara), Tamezret (Duwinna), Jerbi (Jerba). Zuara dialect well known in Jebel Nafusa area and in Jerba Tunisia. Some visit Zuara, but not vice versa. Matmata and Tatawine area less well understood by speakers in Jerba or Zuara. Speakers in Zuara and Jebel areas understand Jerba dialect stories well.

Language Use

All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes.

Language Development

Radio. TV. Grammar. Texts.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Nafusi
Writing

Arabic script, Naskh variant [Arab].

Other Comments

Most live apart from Arabized inhabitants of the region. Muslim.

Also spoken in:

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