Hunzib

A language of Russian Federation

ISO 639: huz
Alternate Names: Enzeb, Ghunzib, Gunzib, Hontl’os myts, Khunzal, Khunzaly, Khvanal, Xunzal
Population: 1,010 in Russian Federation (2010 census). Ethnic population: 2,000. Total users in all countries: 1,420.
Location:: Dagestan republic: Tsuntinsky district, Garbutl, Gunzib and Nakhada; Kizilyurtovksy district, Stalskoe.
Language Status: 6b (Threatened).
Classification: Nakh-Daghestanian, Tsezic, East Tsezic
Dialects: None known. Separate from Bezhta [kap] (1989 B. Comrie) but reportedly very similar to it.
Typology: 27 consonants, 16 vowels, word stress generally linked to prefinal vowel; 5 noun classes; agreement between nouns and coreferent adjectives, pronouns, verbs, and adverbs marked by prefixes; nominative-ergative system; demonstratives.
Language Use: Avar [ava] and Russian [rus] are used in school and for wider communication (Salminen 2007). Home. Some young people, all adults, few child speakers. Positive attitudes. Also use Avar [ava]. Also use Bezhta [kap]. Also use Russian [rus].
Language Development: No literacy in Hunzib. Avar [ava] is literary language. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Hunzib
Writing: Unwritten [Qaax].
Other Comments: Muslim.

Georgia

Location: Kakheti region: Lagodekhi municipality, Tkhilistsqaro, Qvareli district, Chatliskure village.
Language Status: 6b (Threatened)

Location: Dagestan republic: Tsuntinsky district, Garbutl, Gunzib and Nakhada; Kizilyurtovksy district, Stalskoe.