Page Type: languageAmazigh | Ethnologue

KAB ISO 639-3

Amazigh

Taqbaylit, Tazwawt Autonym

A language of Algeria

ISO 639
kab
Alternate Names
Kabyl, Kabyle, Kabylia, Tamazight
Autonym
Taqbaylit, Tazwawt
Population
6,220,000 in Algeria (2020). Total users in all countries: 6,819,200.
Location:
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).
Language Status
1 (National). Statutory national language (2016, Constitutional Revision, Article 4), co-official with Arabic.
Classification
Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Northern, Kabyle
Dialects
Eastern Kabyle, Far Eastern Kabyle (Tasahlit), Western Kabyle, Far Western Kabyle. Lesser Kabyle (Tasahlit) may be a separate language.
Typology
Gender (masculine/feminine); verb affixes mark person, number, gender of subject; tense and aspect; 47 consonant and 4 vowel phonemes.
Language Use
Used by all. Positive attitudes. Also use French [fra], especially by men in trade and correspondence.
Language Development
Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible: 2011. Agency: Algerian Academy of Amazigh Language.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Amazigh
Writing
Latin script [Latn], primary usage. Tifinagh (Berber) script [Tfng], symbolic use only.
Other Comments
Kabyle reported by some sources to derive from the Arabic word for tribesman. Patrilineal and patrilocal. Muslim, Christian.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Kabyle
User Population
49,000 in Belgium (2000). All Berber speakers in Belgium: 115,000.
Language Status
Unestablished
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of Belgium
Language Name
Kabyle
User Population
13,200 in Canada (2016 census).
Language Status
Unestablished
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of Canada
Language Name
Kabyle
User Population
537,000 in France (2015 J. Leclerc).
Language Status
Unestablished
Other Comments
Non-indigenous.
View other languages of France

Map

Location: 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).