Tuvan

A language of Russian Federation

Diba, Kizhi, Kök Mungak, Soyod, Soyon, Soyot, Tannu-Tuva, Tofa, Tokha, Tuba, Tuva, Tuvia, Tuvin, Tuvinian, Tyvan, Uriankhai, Uriankhai-Monchak, Uryankhai

Autonym

тыва‎ (tyva), тыва дыл‎ (tyva dyl)

User Population

254,000 in Russian Federation (2010 census), increasing. Ethnic population: 268,000 (2010 census). Total users in all countries: 297,000.

Location

Krasnoyarsk krai and Tyva republic; southern Siberia near Mongolia border.

Language Maps

China

Mongolia

Central Russian Federation

Language Status

2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Tuva Republic (2001, Constitution of the Tuva Republic, Article 5(1)).

Classification

Turkic, Northern

Dialects

Central Tuvan, Western Tuvan, Northeastern Tuvan (Todzhin), Southeastern Tuvan, Tuba-Kizhi. Sharp dialect differences.

Language Use

One of most vital minority languages in Siberia due to geographic isolation. Home, work, government. Used by all. Neutral attitudes. Also use Halh Mongolian [khk], near the border. Also use Russian [rus].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 85% in Russian [rus] (2007 SIL). Taught as subject in primary and secondary schools. Literature. Grammar. Bible: 2011.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Tuvan

Writing

Cyrillic script [Cyrl].

Other Comments

Until 1944 Tuva was an independent state. Buddhist, traditional religion.

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China

Language NameTuvan

User Population

2,400 in China (1999 W. Hongwei). No monolinguals. Ethnic population: 3,000 (1993).

Location

Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Altay prefecture, Burjin, Habahe, Fuyun, and Altay counties.

Alternate Names

Diba, Kök Mungak, Tuva, Tuvin, Tuwa

Language Status

6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality: Mongolian.

Language Use

Religious services. Some young people, all adults. Children attend schools where Chakhar Mongolian [mvf] and Chinese [cmn] are used. Positive attitudes. Most also use Kazakh [kaz]. Most also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn]. Some also use Kalmyk-Oirat [xal]. Also use Peripheral Mongolian [mvf], especially used in education. Also use Uzbek [uzb].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Buddhist, traditional religion.

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Mongolia

Language NameTuvan

User Population

40,600 in Mongolia (2016).

Location

Dzavhan province: Dorvoljin district; Hovd province: capital city area; Hovsgol province: north and west enclaves, northwest Tsagaannuur and Ulaan-Uul districts, and 2 areas of east of Hovsgol Nuur; Uvs province: far north Tsagaannuur and Ulaan-Uul districts.

Alternate Names

Diba, Kök Mungak, Soyod, Soyon, Soyot, Tannu-Tuva, Tuba, Tuva, Tuva-Uriankhai, Tuvia, Tuvin, Tuvinian, Tuwa-Uriankhai, Tyvan, Uriankhai, Uryankhai-Monchak

Dialects

Kokchulutan, Khöwsögöl Uigur.

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Also use Halh Mongolian [khk].

Language Development

Literacy is in Halh [khk].

Other Comments

Buddhist.

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Tuvan

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A language of Russian Federation

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