Ob-Ugric languages

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Ob-Ugric
Geographic
distribution:		 Central Russia
Genetic
classification:		 Uralic
 Finno-Ugric
  Ugric
   Ob-Ugric
Subdivisions:


The Ob-Ugric languages are a subset of the Finno-Ugric languages, specifically referring to the Khanty (Ostyak) and Mansi (Vogul) languages. They, along with Hungarian, comprise the Ugric branch of the Finno-Ugric languages.

The languages are spoken in the region between the Urals and the Ob River and the Irtysh in central Russia. The forests and forest steppe of the southern Urals is thought to be the original homeland or the Ugric branch. Beginning some 500 years ago the arrival of the Russians pushed the speakers eastward to the Ob and Irtysh. Some Ob-Ugric speakers remained west of the Urals until as late as the early 20th century. Hungarian was split off during the 11th century BC. [1][2]

Although the languages are related to Hungarian, the connection is loose and is radically different in phonology, syntax, and vocabulary. Khanty and Mansi on the other hand are closely related, but are not mutually intelligible. The Ob-Ugric languages were later strongly influenced by nearby Turkic languages, especially Tatar.[3] Until 1930, these languages had no written or literary traditions, but since 1937 have used a modified Cyrillic alphabet. However, no significant texts have been created in these languages have few official usages.[4]

Mansi has about 3800 speakers while Khanty has about 14280 speakers, all within Russia.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Hajdú, Péter (1981). Az uráli nyelvészet alapkérdései. Tankönyvkiadó, Budapest. ISBN 963-17-4219-9. 
  2. ^ Jászó, Anna (1994). A magyar nyelv könyve. Trezor Kiadó, Budapest. ISBN 963-7685-42-1. 
  3. ^ Greller, Wolfgang (2000-04-01). Encyclopedia of the Languages of Europe. Blackwell Publishing, 478. ISBN 0-631-22039-9. 
  4. ^ Ob-Ugric languages. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved on 2006-06-22.
  5. ^ Lyovin, Anatole V. (1997-03-06). An Introduction to the Languages of the World. Oxford University Press US, 55. ISBN 0-19-508116-1. 


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