Tamasheq

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A language of Mali

ISO 639-3
taq
Alternate Names
Tamachen, Tamashek, Tamashekin, Tomacheck, tamachèque, tamasagt, “Tuareg” (pej.)
Autonym
Tǝmajǝq
User Population

378,000 in Mali (2014 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 500,000.

Location

Widespread northeast: Gao, Kidal, and Tombouctou regions; Mopti region: Youvarou circle.

Language Maps
Language Status

5 (Developing). Recognized language (1982, Decree No. 159 of 19 July, Article 1).

Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Tamasheq, Southern
Dialects

Timbuktu (Tanaslamt, Tombouctou), Tadhaq (Kidal, Kidal Tamasheq). May be 2 separate languages. A member of macrolanguage Tamashek [tmh].

Language Use

Used by all. Used as L2 by Koyra Chiini Songhay [khq], Koyraboro Senni Songhay [ses], Tadaksahak [dsq].

Language Development

The government is actively promoting the language through adult literacy classes. Taught as subject in some primary schools. Grammar. NT: 2003.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Tamasheq
Writing

Latin script [Latn]. Tifinagh (Berber) script [Tfng].

Other Comments

The Bellah were formerly under the Tamasheq economically. Muslim.

Also spoken in:

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