Adyghe (ADY) A language of the Russian Federation
Information Provided by Ethnologue
Alternate Names: Adygei, Adygey, Kiakh, Kjax, Lower Circassian, Lowland Adyghe, West Circassian, Western Adyghe, Western Circassian
Autonym: Адыгабзэ (Adəgăbză), Кӏах Адыгабзэ (Kiakh Adəgăbză)
Population: 117,500 (2010 census). No monolinguals (Ministry of Education, Adygea Republic). Ethnic population: 129,000 (2010 census). Total users in all countries: 575,900.
Location: Adygea republic; Karachay-Cherkessia republic, Krasnodar krai, and Stavropol krai.
Language Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Adyghea (1995, Constitution, Adyghea Republic, Article 2).
Classification: North Caucasian, West Caucasian, Circassian
Dialects: Shapsug (Sapsug), Xakuchi, Bezhedukh (Bzedux, Bzhedug, Chemgui, Temirgoj), Abadzex (Abadzakh, Abadzeg), Natuzaj (Natukhai). Similar to Kabardian [kbd].
Typology: SOV.
Language Use: 96% speak it as L1. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. All also use Russian [rus].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 99% (Ministry of Education, Adygea Republic). Literacy rate in L2: 100% (Ministry of Education, Adygea Republic). Taught in primary schools. Literature. Newspapers. Radio. TV. Dictionary. Grammar. NT: 1991.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Adyghe
Other Comments: In the Republic of Adygea, the name ‘Adyghe’ is synonymous to Circassian, which includes both Adyghe (i.e. Western Adyghe or Western Circassian) and Kabardian [kbd] (Eastern Adyghe or Eastern Circassian). Muslim.
