Tamasheq | Ethnologue

A language of Mali

ISO 639: taq
Alternate Names: Tamachen, Tamashek, Tamashekin, Tomacheck, tamachèque, tamasagt, “Tuareg” (pej.)
Autonym: Tǝmajǝq
Population: 378,000 in Mali (2014 UNSD). Total users in all countries: 500,000.
Location:: Widespread northeast: Gao, Kidal, and Tombouctou regions; Mopti region: Youvarou circle.
Language Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (1982, Decree No. 159 of 19 July, Article 1).
Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Berber, Tamasheq, Southern
Dialects: Timbuktu (Tanaslamt, Tombouctou), Tadhaq (Kidal, Kidal Tamasheq). May be 2 separate languages. A member of macrolanguage Tamashek [tmh].
Language Use: Used by all. Used as L2 by Koyra Chiini Songhay [khq], Koyraboro Senni Songhay [ses], Tadaksahak [dsq].
Language Development: The government is actively promoting the language through adult literacy classes. Taught in primary schools. Grammar. NT: 2003.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Tamasheq
Writing: Latin script [Latn]. Tifinagh (Berber) script [Tfng].
Other Comments: The Bellah were formerly under the Tamasheq economically. Muslim.

Burkina Faso

Location: Nord region: Loroum province, into Yatenga province; Sahel region: Oudalan province.
Dialects: Timbuktu (Tanaslamt, Tombouctou), Tadghaq (Kidal).
Language Status: 5 (Developing)
Other Comments: Muslim.

Location: Widespread northeast: Gao, Kidal, and Tombouctou regions; Mopti region: Youvarou circle.