Amazigh
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A language of Algeria
6,220,000 in Algeria (2020). Total users in all countries: 6,819,200.
Bouira, Béjaïa, Tizi Ouzou, Bordj Bou Arréridj, Sétif, M’Sila, Jijel, Boumerdès, Mila, and Médéa provinces; Mediterranean coast east of Algiers; from Thenia to Béjaïa (Grande Kabylie dialect); coast and inland between Tichy and Ziama Mansouria, Aokas and Tizi n Berber (Lesser Kabyle dialect).
1 (National). Statutory national language (2016, Constitutional Revision, Article 4), co-official with Arabic.
Eastern Kabyle, Far Eastern Kabyle (Tasahlit), Western Kabyle, Far Western Kabyle. Lesser Kabyle (Tasahlit) may be a separate language.
Gender (masculine/feminine); verb affixes mark person, number, gender of subject; tense and aspect; 47 consonant and 4 vowel phonemes.
Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use French [fra], especially by men in trade and correspondence.
Taught as subject in some secondary schools. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 2011. Agency: Algerian Academy of Amazigh Language.
Kabyle reported by some sources to derive from the Arabic word for tribesman. Patrilineal and patrilocal. Muslim, Christian.