Kalmyk-Oirat

A language of Russian Federation

Kalmykia republic; Astrakhan province; and Stavropol krai; Volga-Don steppes northwest of the Caspian, north of the Caucasus. West Kalmykia republic (Dörböt dialect); east, lower Volga region, Astrakhan province (Torgut dialect).

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China

Language NameKalmyk-Oirat

User Population

130,000 in China (Salminen 2007).

Location

Gansu province: northern border area; Nei Mongol Autonomous Region: Alashan league; Qinghai province: Kukunor region, Lake Qinghai northwest; Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region: Jungaria region.

Alternate Names

Oirat, Weilate, Western Mongol, Xinjiang Mongolian

Dialects

Torgut (Torghut, Tu’erhute), Kök Nur (Qinghai), Jakhachin, Bayit, Mingat, Olot (Eleuth, Elyut, Ööld), Khoshut (Khoshuud), Dorbot, Henan.

Language Status

7 (Shifting). Language of recognized nationality: Mongolian.

Language Use

Continues to be used as a community language in most areas (Salminen 2007). Shifting to Peripheral Mongolian [mvf], with high bilingualism and as language of instruction in school. Used as L2 by Tuvan [tyv].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Kyrgyzstan

Language NameKalmyk-Oirat

User Population

300 in Kyrgyzstan (2009 census). Ethnic population: 4,200 (2009 census).

Location

Ysyk-Kol region.

Dialects

Oirat (Sart Qalmaq).

Language Status

8a (Moribund).

Language Use

Older adults only. Shifted to Kyrgyz [kir].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Mongolia

Language NameOirat

User Population

221,000 in Mongolia (2016). 53,400 Bayit, 74,600 Durbet, 12,200 Khoton, 6,300 Myangad, 13,400 Olot, 15,000 Torguud, 26,100 Uriankhai, and 31,600 Zakhchin (2016, based on 2015 census).

Location

Arhangay, and Bayan-Olgiy, Dzavhan, Hovd, Hovsgol, Govi-Altay, and Uvs provinces.

Alternate Names

Kalmyk-Oirat, Western Mongol

Dialects

Zakhchin (Jakhachin), Bayit (Bayad), Myangad (Mingat), Olot (Eleuth, Elyut, Uuld, Ööld), Khoshut (Khoshuud), Uriankhai, Khoton (Hoton), Durbet (Durvud), Torguud.

Language Status

6b* (Threatened).

Language Use

Continues to be used as a community language in most areas (Salminen 2007).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Khoton (Hoton) originally of Turkic origin (Kara 1990), and were Muslim. Different from Chinese-speaking Qotong (Hoton) [cmn].

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Kalmyk-Oirat

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A language of Russian Federation

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