Tajikistan

Summary

Official Name: Republic of Tajikistan
Population: 9,506,000
Principal Languages: Russian, Tajik
Literacy Rate: 100% (2015 World Factbook)
International Conventions: CDE (1960), CPPDCE (2006), CSICH (2012), ICCPR (1966)
General References: Akiner 1983, Comrie 1987, Kibrik 1991, Sebeok 1963
Language Counts: The number of established languages listed for Tajikistan is 14. All are living languages. Of these, 11 are indigenous and 3 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 2 are institutional, 5 are developing, 3 are vigorous, and 4 are in trouble. Also listed are 13 unestablished languages.

Languages

Aimaq aiq: Khatlon region: west of Vakhsh river, Jamshidi and Khazara area. Users: 7,900 in Tajikistan (2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Persian
Arabic, Tajiki Spoken abh: Khatlon province: Vakhsh valley, mainly small villages; Kuliab and Leninabad cities. Users: 1,300 in Tajikistan (2017). Total users in all countries: 17,300. Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Arabi, Bukhara Arabic, Buxara Arabic, Central Asian, Jugari, Tajiki Arabic Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Armenian, Western hyw: Dushanbe province: Dushanbe; Sughd province: Chkalovsk and Khujand; Khatlon province: Qurghorteppa. Small communities in urban areas. Users: 8,900 in Tajikistan (2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Armenian
Azerbaijani, North azj: Users: 5,640 in Tajikistan (2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Turkic, Southern, Azerbaijani
Balochi, Western bgn: Scattered. Users: 6,350 in Tajikistan (2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Balochi
Bashkort bak: Scattered. Users: 8,200 in Tajikistan (2003 J. Leclerc). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Turkic, Western, Uralian
Belarusian bel: Users: 6,430 in Tajikistan (2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Chuvash chv: Users: 3,940 in Tajikistan (2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Turkic, Bolgar
Erzya myv: Users: 8,800 in Tajikistan (2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Uralic, Mordvin
Georgian kat: Scattered. Users: 1,400 in Tajikistan (2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Kartvelian, Georgian
Ishkashimi isk: Kuhistoni Badakhshon region: Ryn and Sumjin villages, near Ishkashim. Users: 500 in Tajikistan (1990 A. Kibrik). Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Ishkashim Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Southeastern, Pamir
Kyrgyz kir: Kuhistoni Badakhshon region and Regions of Republican Subordination. Users: 71,400 in Tajikistan (2017). Ethnic population: 152,000 (2017). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Turkic, Western, Aralo-Caspian
Lak lbe: Users: 2,100 in Tajikistan (2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Nakh-Daghestanian, Lak
Parya paq: Regions of Republican Subordination: Hissar valley. Users: 1,600 in Tajikistan (2017). Total users in all countries: 2,600. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Afghana-Yi Nasfurush, Afghana-Yi Siyarui, Changgars, Laghmani, Pbharya Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Unclassified
Pashto, Southern pbt: Khatlon region. Users: 32,400 in Tajikistan (2017). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Southeastern, Pashto
Persian, Iranian pes: Khatlon region: various economic development sites; Dushanbe. Users: 89,200 in Tajikistan (2017). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Persian, Western Farsi Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Persian
Russian rus: Widespread. Users: 44,600 in Tajikistan (2017). Ethnic population: 303,000 (2017). Status: 3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language, no longer language of record in higher levels of government. Alternate Names: Rusija Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, East
Russian Sign Language rsl: Scattered, with concentrations around Dushanbe. Users: 47,000 in Tajikistan (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 28,000–56,000 signing deaf, assuming 0.3%–0.6% of total population. Status: 5 (Developing). Alternate Names: RSL, TSL, Tajik Sign Language Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Shughni sgh: Kuhistoni Badakhshon region: Pamir mountains. Users: 40,000 in Tajikistan (1975 SIL). 20,000 Shugan, 1,500–2,000 Oroshor, 15,000 Rushan. Ethnic population: 73,800 (1990 A. Kibrik). Includes 50,000 Shugni, 2,000 Oroshor, 18,000 Rushan, 800 Khufi, 3,000 Bartang. Total users in all countries: 80,000. Status: 6a (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Shugnan-Rushan Autonym: Khugnone Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Southeastern, Pamir, Shugni-Yazgulami
Tajik tgk: Widespread. Users: 6,380,000 in Tajikistan (2012 UNSD). Ethnic population: 7,520,000 (2017). Total users in all countries: 8,195,120. Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (1994, Constitution, Article 2). Alternate Names: Tadzhik, Tajiki, Tajiki Persian, “Galcha” (pej.) Autonym: тоҷикӣ‎ (Tojiki) Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Southwestern, Persian
Tatar tat: Kuhistoni Badakhshon region: scattered. Users: 4,200 in Tajikistan (2012 UNSD). Ethnic population: 107,000 (2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Turkic, Western, Uralian
Turkish tur: Users: 1,000 in Tajikistan (2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Turkic, Southern, Turkish
Turkmen tuk: Khatlon region: scattered. Users: 13,700 in Tajikistan (2012 UNSD). Ethnic population: 32,500 (2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Turkic, Southern, Turkmenian
Uzbek, Northern uzn: Khatlon and Sughd regions; Regions of Republican Subordination. Users: 1,060,000 in Tajikistan (2017). Ethnic population: 1,230,000 (2017). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: oʻzbek, oʻzbek tili, oʻzbekcha Classification: Turkic, Eastern
Wakhi wbl: Kuhistoni Badakhshon region: Pamir mountains. Users: 15,000 in Tajikistan (2012 M. Merritt). Ethnic population: 20,000 (1990 A. Kibrik). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Guhjali, Khik, Khikwar, Vakhan, Wakhani, Wakhigi Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Southeastern, Pamir
Yagnobi yai: Sughd region: Zafarabad; north of Dushanbe; Yagnob river (the homeland), high mountain valley. Users: 12,000 (2004 SIL). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Soghdi, Yaghnabi, Yaghnobi, Yaghnubi, Yagnabi, Yagnob, Yagnubi Autonym: Яғнобӣ зивок‎ (Yaɣnobī́ zivók) Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Northeastern
Yazgulyam yah: Kuhistoni Badakhshon province: Andarbag, Budun, Khavavd, Motravn, Shavud, Ubaghn, Vishkharv, Zaich, Zhafag, and Zhamag in Yazgulyam river valley; Dushanbe and Kuybishev areas. Users: 9,000 (2010). Ethnic population: 13,000. Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Iazgulem, Yazghulomi, Yazgulam, Yazgulami, Yazgulyami, Yuzdomi zavég, Zgyamigyai Autonym: Zǵamiǵai, Зѓамиѓай‎ (Zǵamiǵai) Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Southeastern, Pamir, Shugni-Yazgulami

Languages by Status

1 (National)

Tajik

[tgk] 1 (National). Statutory national language (1994, Constitution, Article 2). 6,380,000 in Tajikistan (2012 UNSD). Ethnic population: 7,520,000 (2017). Total users in all countries: 8,195,120.

3 (Wider communication)

Russian

[rus] 3 (Wider communication). De facto national working language, no longer language of record in higher levels of government. 44,600 in Tajikistan (2017). Ethnic population: 303,000 (2017).

5 (Dispersed)

Kyrgyz

[kir] 5* (Dispersed). 71,400 in Tajikistan (2017). Ethnic population: 152,000 (2017).

Pashto, Southern

[pbt] 5* (Dispersed). 32,400 in Tajikistan (2017).

Persian, Iranian

[pes] 5* (Dispersed). 89,200 in Tajikistan (2017).

Uzbek, Northern

[uzn] 5* (Dispersed). 1,060,000 in Tajikistan (2017). Ethnic population: 1,230,000 (2017).

5 (Developing)

Russian Sign Language

[rsl] 5 (Developing). 47,000 in Tajikistan (2021 DBS/DOOR/SIL). Estimated 28,000–56,000 signing deaf, assuming 0.3%–0.6% of total population.

6a (Vigorous)

Ishkashimi

[isk] 6a (Vigorous). 500 in Tajikistan (1990 A. Kibrik).

Parya

[paq] 6a* (Vigorous). 1,600 in Tajikistan (2017). Total users in all countries: 2,600.

Shughni

[sgh] 6a (Vigorous). 40,000 in Tajikistan (1975 SIL). 20,000 Shugan, 1,500–2,000 Oroshor, 15,000 Rushan. Ethnic population: 73,800 (1990 A. Kibrik). Includes 50,000 Shugni, 2,000 Oroshor, 18,000 Rushan, 800 Khufi, 3,000 Bartang. Total users in all countries: 80,000.

6b (Threatened)

Arabic, Tajiki Spoken

[abh] 6b* (Threatened). 1,300 in Tajikistan (2017). Total users in all countries: 17,300.

Wakhi

[wbl] 6b (Threatened). 15,000 in Tajikistan (2012 M. Merritt). Ethnic population: 20,000 (1990 A. Kibrik).

Yagnobi

[yai] 6b* (Threatened). 12,000 (2004 SIL).

Yazgulyam

[yah] 6b (Threatened). 9,000 (2010). Ethnic population: 13,000.

Unestablished

Aimaq

[aiq] Unestablished. 7,900 in Tajikistan (2017).

Armenian, Western

[hyw] Unestablished. 8,900 in Tajikistan (2017).

Azerbaijani, North

[azj] Unestablished. 5,640 in Tajikistan (2017).

Balochi, Western

[bgn] Unestablished. 6,350 in Tajikistan (2017).

Bashkort

[bak] Unestablished. 8,200 in Tajikistan (2003 J. Leclerc).

Belarusian

[bel] Unestablished. 6,430 in Tajikistan (2017).

Chuvash

[chv] Unestablished. 3,940 in Tajikistan (2017).

Erzya

[myv] Unestablished. 8,800 in Tajikistan (2017).

Georgian

[kat] Unestablished. 1,400 in Tajikistan (2017).

Lak

[lbe] Unestablished. 2,100 in Tajikistan (2017).

Tatar

[tat] Unestablished. 4,200 in Tajikistan (2012 UNSD). Ethnic population: 107,000 (2017).

Turkish

[tur] Unestablished. 1,000 in Tajikistan (2017).

Turkmen

[tuk] Unestablished. 13,700 in Tajikistan (2012 UNSD). Ethnic population: 32,500 (2017).

Maps

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Tajikistan with respect to their level of language vitality. Each individual language that has an entry for Tajikistan 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 Tajikistan with respect to their status of language development versus language endangerment. Each individual language that has an entry for Tajikistan 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 Tajikistan 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 Tajikistan ($149.95, 25 page PDF)

Tajikistan

Summary

Languages

Languages by Status

Maps

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile

Language Status Profile

Resources

Contributions

Editorial Action