Azerbaijan

Summary

Official Name
Population: 10,223,000
General Remarks: The enclave of Nakhchivan is controlled by Azerbaijan despite its location between southern Armenia and northern Iran
Principal Languages: North Azerbaijani, Russian
Literacy Rate: 100% (2017 UNESCO)
International Conventions: CPPDCE (2006), CSICH (2012), FCPNM (1998), ICCPR (1966), UNCRPD (2006)
General References: Kibrik 1991, Salminen 2007, Sebeok 1963
Language Counts: The number of established languages listed for Azerbaijan is 18. All are living languages. Of these, 13 are indigenous and 5 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 2 are institutional, 4 are developing, 2 are vigorous, 9 are in trouble, and 1 is dying. Also listed are 16 unestablished languages.

Languages

Akhvakh akv: Zaqatala district: Car municipality, Oxoxdere village. Users: No known L1 speakers in Azerbaijan. Status: 9 (Dormant). Alternate Names: Ašwałi, Ašwałi mic̣i Classification: Nakh-Daghestanian, Avar-Andic, Andic
Armenian hye: Agdam, Cabrayil, Fuzuli, Kalbacar, Lachin, Qubadli, Susa, Tartar, Xocali, Xocavand, and Zangilan districts. Users: 120,000 in Azerbaijan (2011 UNSD). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Armjanski, Ermenice, Haieren, Somkhuri Classification: Indo-European, Armenian
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic aii: Users: 1,500 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, Aramaic, Eastern, Central, Northeastern
Avar ava: Balakan and Zaqatala districts. Users: 46,600 in Azerbaijan (2011 UNSD). Status: 6b* (Threatened). De facto language of provincial identity in Balakan and Zaqatala. Alternate Names: Avaro, Dagestani Classification: Nakh-Daghestanian, Avar-Andic, Avar
Azerbaijani, North azj: Users: 8,250,000 in Azerbaijan (2011 UNSD). 4,000,000 monolinguals. Total users in all countries: 9,220,620. Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (1995, Constitution, Article 21(1)). Alternate Names: Azerbaijan, Azerbaydzhani, Azeri, Azeri Turk Autonym: Azərbaycan dili, Azərbaycanca Classification: Turkic, Southern, Azerbaijani
Azerbaijani, South azb: Scattered in the south. Users: 294,000 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Azeri Classification: Turkic, Southern, Azerbaijani
Belarusian bel: Users: 6,500 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Budukh bdk: Quba district: Budukh village. Users: 200 (Bril 2010). Ethnic population: 1,000 (1990 A. Kibrik). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Budug, Budugi, Buduk, Budux, Bukukhi Classification: Nakh-Daghestanian, Lezgic, Nuclear Lezgic, South Lezgic
Chechen che: Users: 5,200 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Nakh-Daghestanian, Nakh, Chechen-Ingush
Dargwa dar: Users: 1,200 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Nakh-Daghestanian, Dargi
English eng: Users: 2,800 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
Erzya myv: Users: 1,000 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Uralic, Mordvin
Georgian kat: Balakan, Qax and Zaqatala districts. Users: 30,000 in Azerbaijan (2019). Ethnic population: 60,000 (2019). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Kartvelian, Georgian
Judeo-Tat jdt: Quba district: Baku and Krasnaya Sloboda village; Oguz district: Vartashen village. Users: 8,490 in Azerbaijan (2011 UNSD). Ethnic population: 15,000 (2014 NCRP). Status: 6b (Threatened). De facto language of provincial identity in Quba, Baku districts. Alternate Names: Bik, Dzhuhuric, Jewish Tat, Judeo-Tatic, Juhur, Juhuri, Juwri Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Tat
Kazakh kaz: Users: 2,300 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Turkic, Western, Aralo-Caspian
Khinalugh kjj: Quba district: Khinalugh village. Users: 2,150 (2020 census). Ethnic population: 2,200 (2009 census). Status: 6b (Threatened). De facto language of provincial identity in Quba District. Alternate Names: Khinalug, Khinalugi, Xınalıq dili, Xinaliq, Xinalug Autonym: Kətşi Miż Classification: Nakh-Daghestanian, Khinalugh
Kryts kry: Quba district: Alyk, Jek, Khaput, Kryz, and Yergyuj villages. Users: 5,000 (Salminen 2007). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Dzek, Dzhek, Dzheki, Katsy, Kryc, Kryz, Kryzy Classification: Nakh-Daghestanian, Lezgic, Nuclear Lezgic, South Lezgic
Kurdish, Northern kmr: Scattered in the Agstafa, Kalbacar, Lachin, Qubadli, and Zangilan districts; many displaced. Users: 6,500 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Kurdî, Kurmancî, Kurmanji, Red Kurmanji Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Kurdish
Lak lbe: Users: 1,600 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Nakh-Daghestanian, Lak
Lezgi lez: Ismayilli, Qabala, Quba, Qusar, and Xacmaz districts; Russian Federation border area; Caucasus southern slopes of main chain. Users: 193,000 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b). Ethnic population: 350,000 (2014 NCRP). Status: 6a (Vigorous). De facto language of provincial identity in Qusar and Zachmaz. Alternate Names: Kiurinty, Lezghi, Lezgian, Lezgin Classification: Nakh-Daghestanian, Lezgic, Nuclear Lezgic, East Lezgic
Ossetic oss: Users: 2,700 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Northeastern
Persian, Iranian pes: Users: 1,400 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Persian
Polish pol: Users: 1,000 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Lechitic
Romanian ron: Users: 4,100 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Eastern
Russian rus: Scattered. Users: 4,882,000 in Azerbaijan, all users. L1 users: 122,000 in Azerbaijan (2011 UNSD). L2 users: 4,760,000 (Arefyev 2012). Status: 3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Rutul rut: Qax district; Shaki district: Şin and Şorsu villages. Users: 6,000 in Azerbaijan (2015). Ethnic population: 17,000 (Clarkson and Iurkova 2015). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Provincially recognized language in Qax and Shaki districts. Alternate Names: Knovtsy, Myhadbyr, Myxʼabišdy čʼel Classification: Nakh-Daghestanian, Lezgic, Nuclear Lezgic, West Lezgic
Talysh tly: Astara, Lankaran, Lerik and Masalli districts: Caspian coast south of Viliazh-Chai river. Users: 68,700 in Azerbaijan (2011 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 226,100. Status: 4 (Educational). De facto language of provincial identity in Astara, Lankaran, Lerik, Masally districts. Alternate Names: Talesh, Talish, Talyshi, Tolışə zıvon, Tolish Autonym: Tolışi‎ Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Talysh
Tat, Muslim ttt: Balakan district: Surakhan region on Apsheron peninsula; Baku, Quba, Sizan, and Vartashen cities; Afruja, Chichi, Dagkushu, Genvab, Konakhkend, Lakhij, and Matrasa villages; widespread in mountains near Qonaqkend. Users: 22,800 in Azerbaijan (2011 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 32,810. Status: 6b (Threatened). De facto language of provincial identity in Quba, Shabran, Siazan. Alternate Names: Muslim Tat, Mussulman Tati, Tati Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Tat
Tatar tat: Baku district and scattered throughout the country. Users: 24,100 in Azerbaijan (2011 UNSD). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Turkic, Western, Uralian
Tsakhur tkr: Qax and Zaqatala districts. 22 villages. Users: 11,700 in Azerbaijan (2011 UNSD). Ethnic population: 30,000 (2017). Total users in all countries: 22,300. Status: 6b (Threatened). Provincially recognized language in Zaqatala and Qax districts. Alternate Names: C’aiχna miz, Caxur, Sakhur, Saxur dili, Ts’axna miz, Tsakhna Miz, Tsakhury, Tsaxur, Yıqbışda miz, Yedna Miz, Yikbi, Yiksum, Yiqny Miz, Yiqsum, cʼäxna miz Autonym: Ts‘əxna miz Classification: Nakh-Daghestanian, Lezgic, Nuclear Lezgic, West Lezgic
Turkish tur: Users: 32,100 in Azerbaijan (2011 UNSD). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Turkic, Southern, Turkish
Udi udi: Oguz and Qabala districts: Mirzabeyli, Niç, and Oghuz. Users: 3,800 in Azerbaijan (2011 UNSD). Ethnic population: 7,000 (1990 DOBES). Total users in all countries: 6,160. Status: 6b (Threatened). De facto language of provincial identity in Qabala District. Alternate Names: Uti Autonym: Udin, Udin muz, удин муз‎ (udin muz) Classification: Nakh-Daghestanian, Lezgic, Udi
Ukrainian ukr: Users: 21,000 in Azerbaijan (2011 UNSD). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Uzbek, Southern uzs: Users: 1,900 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Turkic, Eastern

Languages by Status

1 (National)

Azerbaijani, North

[azj] 1 (National). Statutory national language (1995, Constitution, Article 21(1)). 8,250,000 in Azerbaijan (2011 UNSD). 4,000,000 monolinguals. Total users in all countries: 9,220,620.

3 (Wider communication)

Russian

[rus] 3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language. 4,882,000 in Azerbaijan, all users. L1 users: 122,000 in Azerbaijan (2011 UNSD). L2 users: 4,760,000 (Arefyev 2012).

4 (Educational)

Talysh

[tly] 4 (Educational). De facto language of provincial identity in Astara, Lankaran, Lerik, Masally districts. 68,700 in Azerbaijan (2011 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 226,100.

5 (Dispersed)

Azerbaijani, South

[azb] 5* (Dispersed). 294,000 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b).

Georgian

[kat] 5* (Dispersed). 30,000 in Azerbaijan (2019). Ethnic population: 60,000 (2019).

Kurdish, Northern

[kmr] 5* (Dispersed). 6,500 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b).

6a (Vigorous)

Lezgi

[lez] 6a (Vigorous). De facto language of provincial identity in Qusar and Zachmaz. 193,000 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b). Ethnic population: 350,000 (2014 NCRP).

Rutul

[rut] 6a (Vigorous). Provincially recognized language in Qax and Shaki districts. 6,000 in Azerbaijan (2015). Ethnic population: 17,000 (Clarkson and Iurkova 2015).

6b (Threatened)

Avar

[ava] 6b* (Threatened). De facto language of provincial identity in Balakan and Zaqatala. 46,600 in Azerbaijan (2011 UNSD).

Budukh

[bdk] 6b (Threatened). 200 (Bril 2010). Ethnic population: 1,000 (1990 A. Kibrik).

Judeo-Tat

[jdt] 6b (Threatened). De facto language of provincial identity in Quba, Baku districts. 8,490 in Azerbaijan (2011 UNSD). Ethnic population: 15,000 (2014 NCRP).

Khinalugh

[kjj] 6b (Threatened). De facto language of provincial identity in Quba District. 2,150 (2020 census). Ethnic population: 2,200 (2009 census).

Kryts

[kry] 6b (Threatened). 5,000 (Salminen 2007).

Tat, Muslim

[ttt] 6b (Threatened). De facto language of provincial identity in Quba, Shabran, Siazan. 22,800 in Azerbaijan (2011 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 32,810.

Tsakhur

[tkr] 6b (Threatened). Provincially recognized language in Zaqatala and Qax districts. 11,700 in Azerbaijan (2011 UNSD). Ethnic population: 30,000 (2017). Total users in all countries: 22,300.

Udi

[udi] 6b (Threatened). De facto language of provincial identity in Qabala District. 3,800 in Azerbaijan (2011 UNSD). Ethnic population: 7,000 (1990 DOBES). Total users in all countries: 6,160.

7 (Shifting)

Armenian

[hye] 7 (Shifting). 120,000 in Azerbaijan (2011 UNSD).

9 (Dormant)

Akhvakh

[akv] 9 (Dormant). No known L1 speakers in Azerbaijan.

Unestablished

Assyrian Neo-Aramaic

[aii] Unestablished. 1,500 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b).

Belarusian

[bel] Unestablished. 6,500 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b).

Chechen

[che] Unestablished. 5,200 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b).

Dargwa

[dar] Unestablished. 1,200 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b).

English

[eng] Unestablished. 2,800 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b).

Erzya

[myv] Unestablished. 1,000 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b).

Kazakh

[kaz] Unestablished. 2,300 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b).

Lak

[lbe] Unestablished. 1,600 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b).

Ossetic

[oss] Unestablished. 2,700 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b).

Persian, Iranian

[pes] Unestablished. 1,400 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b).

Polish

[pol] Unestablished. 1,000 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b).

Romanian

[ron] Unestablished. 4,100 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b).

Tatar

[tat] Unestablished. 24,100 in Azerbaijan (2011 UNSD).

Turkish

[tur] Unestablished. 32,100 in Azerbaijan (2011 UNSD).

Ukrainian

[ukr] Unestablished. 21,000 in Azerbaijan (2011 UNSD).

Uzbek, Southern

[uzs] Unestablished. 1,900 in Azerbaijan (Leclerc 2017b).

Maps

Azerbaijan

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Azerbaijan with respect to their level of language vitality. Each individual language that has an entry for Azerbaijan is included in the profile. The horizontal axis represents the estimated level of vitality. The height of each bar indicates the number of languages that are estimated to be at the given level.
The vitality levels and the color coding of the bars match the scheme used in the guide on How many languages are endangered? In this scheme, the levels and colors are as follows:
- Dark green = Institutional (EGIDS 0-4) — The language has been developed to the point that it is used and sustained by institutions beyond the home and community.
- Light green = Stable (EGIDS 5-6a) — The language is not being sustained by formal institutions, but It is still the norm in the home and community that all children learn and use the language.
- Red = Endangered (EGIDS 6b-9) — It is no longer the norm that children learn and use this language.
These three summary levels have been derived by grouping levels in the Expanded Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (EGIDS), which is the more fine-grained scale that Ethnologue uses to assess the status of every language in terms of development versus endangerment; see the Language Status page for a description of the levels of that scale. See also the pages on Development and Endangerment for more discussion.
Language Status Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Azerbaijan with respect to their status of language development versus language endangerment. Each individual language that has an entry for Azerbaijan is included in the profile. The horizontal axis represents the estimated level of development or endangerment as measured on the EGIDS scale. (See the pages on Development and Endangerment for a fuller explanation.) The height of each bar indicates the number of languages that are estimated to be at the given level. Consult the Status listings for Azerbaijan in order to see the specific languages for each level.
The color coding of the bars matches the color scheme used in the summary profile graphs on the navigation maps for the site. In this scheme, the EGIDS levels are grouped as follows:
- Purple = Institutional (EGIDS 0-4) — The language has been developed to the point that it is used and sustained by institutions beyond the home and community.
- Blue = Developing (EGIDS 5) — The language is in vigorous use, with literature in a standardized form being used by some though this is not yet widespread or sustainable.
- Green = Vigorous (EGIDS 6a) — The language is unstandardized and in vigorous use among all generations.
- Yellow = In trouble (EGIDS 6b-7) — Intergenerational transmission is in the process of being broken, but the child-bearing generation can still use the language so it is possible that revitalization efforts could restore transmission of the language in the home.
- Red = Dying (EGIDS 8a-9) — The only fluent users (if any) are older than child-bearing age, so it is too late to restore natural intergenerational transmission through the home; a mechanism outside the home would need to be developed.
- Black = Extinct (EGIDS 10) — The language has fallen completely out of use and no one retains a sense of ethnic identity associated with the language.

Resources

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Digest of the languages of Azerbaijan ($149.95, 28 page PDF)

Azerbaijan

Summary

Languages

Languages by Status

Maps

Azerbaijan

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile

Language Status Profile

Resources

Contributions

Editorial Action