Nakh languages

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Nakh languages are a small family of languages spoken mostly in Russia (Chechnya and Ingushetia) and Georgia. The Chechen diaspora is spread all over the countries in the Middle East and Central Asia.

The Nakh languages were historically classified as an independent North-Central Caucasian family, but are now recognized as a branch of the Northeast Caucasian family.

[edit] Classification

• Vainakh languages, a dialect continuum with two literary languages:
  • Chechen — approximately 950,000 speakers.
  • Ingush — approximately 230,000 speakers.
• Bats or Batsbi — approximately 3,420, spoken mostly in Zemo-Alvani, Georgia. Not mutually intelligible with Chechen or Ingush.