Page Type: countryAlgeria | Ethnologue

DZ

Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria

Algeria

Summary

Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria
ACHPR (1987), CDE (1968), CPPDCE (2015), CSICH (2004), ICCPR (1989), UNCRPD (2009), UNDRIP (2007)
42,973,000
Amazigh, Standard Arabic
81% (2018 UNESCO)
Applegate 1970, Bateson 1967, Cohen 1985, Fischer and Jastrow 1980, Marçais 1977, Zavadovskii 1962
The number of established languages listed for Algeria is 19. All are living languages. Of these, 14 are indigenous and 5 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 5 are institutional, 2 are developing, 3 are vigorous, 7 are in trouble, and 2 are dying. Also listed are 3 unestablished languages.
Scattered. Users: 240,000 (2008 WFD). Federation National Des Sourds d’Algerie reports 240,000 deaf members (2008 WFD). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: LSA, Langue des signes algérienne, Lghh alesharh aljza’er Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Bouira, Béjaïa, Tizi Ouzou, Bordj Bou Arréridj, Sétif, M’Sila, Jijel, Boumerdès, Mila, and Médéa provinces; Mediterranean coast east of Algiers; from Thenia to Béjaïa (Grande Kabylie dialect); coast and inland between Tichy and Ziama Mansouria, Aokas and Tizi n Berber (Lesser Kabyle dialect). Users: 6,220,000 in Algeria (2020). Total users in all countries: 6,819,200. Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (2016, Constitutional Revision, Article 4), co-official with Arabic. Alternate Names: Kabyl, Kabyle, Kabylia, Tamazight Autonym: Taqbaylit, Tazwawt Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Kabyle
Adrar, Béchar, Biskra, Djelfa, El Bayadh, El Oued, Ghardaïa, Illizi, Laghouat, Naama, Ouargla, Tamanrasset, and Tindouf provinces; border area along Atlas mountains, northeast to Médéa, southeast to Righ Wadi, south as far as plateau du Tademait. Users: 135,000 in Algeria (2020). Total users in all countries: 243,000. Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Saharan Arabic, Tamanghasset Arabic, Tamanrasset Arabic Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Widespread. Users: 36,500,000 in Algeria, all users. L1 users: 30,900,000 in Algeria (2020), increasing. L2 users: 5,600,000 (2020). Total users in all countries: 40,259,600 (as L1: 34,659,600; as L2: 5,600,000). Status: 3 (Wider communication). De facto language of national identity. Alternate Names: Algerian, Algerian Arabic, Darija, Darja, Dziria Autonym: العامية‎ (El’aamia), اللهجة الجزائرية‎ (Lahja Djazairia) Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Tindouf province. Users: 220,000 in Algeria (2021 Joshua Project). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Users: 28,700,000 in Algeria (2015 SIL), all users. Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (1996, Constitution, Article 3), co-official with Amazigh (Tamazight) [kab]. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Aïn Defla province: north of Khemis; Chlef province: Mount Bissa area; Tipasa province: generally Mount Chenoua area; Mount Chenoua area (Chenoui dialect), south and west (Beni Menacer dialect); Tacheta forest area, and Beni Haoua village (Djebel Bissa dialect). Users: 76,300 (2004 J. Leclerc). Beni Menacer: 61,000; Chenoui: 15,300 (2004 J. Leclerc). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Chenoui, Haqbaylit̠, Shenwa Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern
Users: 2,527,260 in Algeria, all users. L1 users: 7,260 in Algeria (2015 UNSD). L2 users: 2,520,000 (Ramaswami et al 2012). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
Major cities. Users: 13,814,300 in Algeria, all users. L1 users: 14,300 in Algeria (2020). L2 users: 13,800,000 (Beck et al 2018). Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Français Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French
Users: 11,600 in Algeria (2020). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Chadic, West, A, A.1
Tabelbala oasis, about halfway between Béchar and Tindouf, 3 villages: Kwara, Ifrnyu, Yami. Users: 3,000 (2010 L. Souag). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Belbalis, Kwarandzyey, Tabelbala, lbəlbaliyya Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Songhai
Users: 223,000 in Algeria, all users. L1 users: 175,000 in Algeria (Instituto Cervantes 2017). L2 users: 48,000 (Instituto Cervantes 2017). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Castilian
Batna, Biskra, Guelma, Khenchela, Oum el-Bouaghi, Souk Ahras, and Tébessa provinces: Aurès mountains, south and southeast of Grand Kabylie. Users: 2,300,000 (2020). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Alternate Names: Aurès, Awras, Chaouia, Chawi, Shawia, Shawiya, Tacawit Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Zenati, Shawiya
Béchar province: Tabelbala area south near the border. Users: 6,000 in Algeria (2014). Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Shilha, Southern Shilha, Tašlḥiyt, Tachilhit, Tashelhait, Tashelhayt, Tashelhit, Tasoussit Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Atlas
Tamanrasset province. Users: 1,800 in Algeria (1983 Nicolai). Mainly young people in search of work. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Nilo-Saharan, Songhai, Northern
Ouargla province: N’Goussa and Ouargla are main centers, near Mzab. Users: 20,000 (2014). Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Ouargla, Ouargli, Wargla Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Zenati, Mzab-Wargla
Adrar and Illizi provinces; Tamanrasset province: south to Niger border in south Hoggar mountains. Southeast, Ganet area and west (Hoggar Ghat dialect). Users: 71,400 in Algeria (2020). Total users in all countries: 114,200. Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Tamachek, Tamachek’, Tamashekin, Tamasheq, Tomachek, Touareg, Tourage, Tuareg Autonym: Tamahaq Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Tamasheq, Northern
Ouargla province: Bledit Amor; also Ghomra, Meggarin, Temacine, and Tamelhat areas. Users: 8,100 (2020). Status: 7 (Shifting). Alternate Names: Touggourt, Tougourt, Tugurt Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Zenati, Mzab-Wargla
Tamanrasset province: Salah area, Tidikelt, and Tit south. Users: 1,000 (2011), decreasing. Status: 8a (Moribund). Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Zenati, Tidikelt
Oran and Tlemcen provinces. Users: No known L1 speakers in Algeria (2010 L. Souag). Status: 9 (Dormant). Alternate Names: Fifia, Northern Shilha, Rif, Riff, Rifi, Ruafa, Shilha, Tirifie Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Zenati, Riff
Adrar, Béchar, El Bayadh, and Naama provinces; Gourara area; Beni Ounif, Boussemghoun, Igli, Ouakda, Taghit. Users: 11,000 in Algeria (2014 L. Souag). Status: 6b (Threatened). Alternate Names: Sud Oranais-Gourara, Zenatiyya Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Zenati, Mzab-Wargla
Ghardaïa province: Mzab region south of Algiers; 7 oases, Ghardaïa is principal one. Users: 150,000 (2010 UNESCO). Women are monolingual. Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Ghardaia, Mozabite, Mzab, Mzabi Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Zenati, Mzab-Wargla
    [kab] 1 (National). Statutory national language (2016, Constitutional Revision, Article 4), co-official with Arabic. 6,220,000 in Algeria (2020). Total users in all countries: 6,819,200.
    [arb] 1 (National). Statutory national language (1996, Constitution, Article 3), co-official with Amazigh (Tamazight) [kab]. 28,700,000 in Algeria (2015 SIL), all users.
    [fra] 4 (Educational). 13,814,300 in Algeria, all users. L1 users: 14,300 in Algeria (2020). L2 users: 13,800,000 (Beck et al 2018).
    [mey] 5* (Dispersed). 220,000 in Algeria (2021 Joshua Project).
    [eng] 5* (Dispersed). 2,527,260 in Algeria, all users. L1 users: 7,260 in Algeria (2015 UNSD). L2 users: 2,520,000 (Ramaswami et al 2012).
    [shi] 5* (Developing). 6,000 in Algeria (2014).
    [aao] 6a* (Vigorous). 135,000 in Algeria (2020). Total users in all countries: 243,000.
    [asp] 6a* (Vigorous). 240,000 (2008 WFD). Federation National Des Sourds d’Algerie reports 240,000 deaf members (2008 WFD).
    [shy] 6a* (Vigorous). 2,300,000 (2020).
    [cnu] 6b (Threatened). 76,300 (2004 J. Leclerc). Beni Menacer: 61,000; Chenoui: 15,300 (2004 J. Leclerc).
    [grr] 6b (Threatened). 11,000 in Algeria (2014 L. Souag).
    [mzb] 6b* (Threatened). 150,000 (2010 UNESCO). Women are monolingual.
    [oua] 6b* (Threatened). 20,000 (2014).
    [thv] 6b* (Threatened). 71,400 in Algeria (2020). Total users in all countries: 114,200.
    [kcy] 7 (Shifting). 3,000 (2010 L. Souag).
    [tjo] 7 (Shifting). 8,100 (2020).
    [tia] 8a (Moribund). 1,000 (2011), decreasing.
    [rif] 9 (Dormant). No known L1 speakers in Algeria (2010 L. Souag).

Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and Western Sahara

Language Vitality Profile

Language Status Profile