Nafusi

A language of Libya

ISO 639: jbn
Alternate Names: Djerbi, Jabal Nafusi, Jbel Nafusi, Jebel Nefusi, Nefusi
Population: 247,000 in Libya (2020). Preschool children are monolingual in Nafusi. Total users in all countries: 297,000.
Location:: Al Jabal al Gharbi and Nalut districts: Jabal Nafusah, Nalut, Tripolitania, and Yafran areas, isolated on Zuara Coast west of Tripoli.
Language Status: 6a (Vigorous).
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Zenati, East
Dialects: Zuara (Zouara, Zuraa, Zuwara, Zuwarah, Zwara), Tamezret (Duwinna), Jerbi (Jerba). Zuara dialect well known in Jebel Nafusa area and in Jerba Tunisia. Some visit Zuara, but not vice versa. Matmata and Tatawine area less well understood by speakers in Jerba or Zuara. Speakers in Zuara and Jebel areas understand Jerba dialect stories well.
Language Use: All domains. Used by all. Positive attitudes.
Language Development: Radio. TV. Grammar. Texts.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Nafusi
Writing: Arabic script, Naskh variant [Arab].
Other Comments: Most live apart from Arabized inhabitants of the region. Muslim.

Tunisia

Location: Madanin governorate: Ajim, Djerba island, Guellala, and Sedouikech; Qabis governorate: Matmata, Tamezret, Taoujjout, and Zraoua; Qibili governorate: Douiret, Chenini, and Tataouine; Tunis city.
Dialects: Jbali-Tamezret (Duwinna), Jerba (Djerbi, Guelili).
Language Status: 6b (Threatened)
Other Comments: Non-indigenous. ‘Shilha’ also a cover term for Berber languages in Morocco and Tunisia. Muslim.

Location: Al Jabal al Gharbi and Nalut districts: Jabal Nafusah, Nalut, Tripolitania, and Yafran areas, isolated on Zuara Coast west of Tripoli.