Legislation

One hundred and four languages are currently spoken in certain areas of the Russian Federation.

An alphabetical list has been completed according to the following criteria:

All languages traditionally spoken within the current territory of the Russian Federation have been included to the list. Accordingly, those languages representing only one or few villages have been included, however; those ones, spoken by bigger amount of people in urban areas, but not having a traditional territory in the country, have been dismissed.

Data complementing the list:

1. Other alternative names in English. “PrN” means name or proper name that the ethnic group calls itself
2. Dialectological filiation of the language
3. Estimated number of speakers of each language in the Russian Federation. “TP” means total population of the respective ethnic group within the whole Russian Federation.
4. Territorial entities of the Russian Federation within which the respective language may be considered as the holder/titular language, and the approximate percentage of the entity's population speaking the language. “Ext” means political communities external to the Russian Federation in which the respective language is the official or titular language.
5. Territory, where the language is used within the boundaries of the Russian Federation. “AO” stands for an autonomous area (“Autonomous Okrug”).
6. Script used in writing
7. Other complementary data

ABAZA

1) Abaze, Abazin, Ashuwa 2) Caucasian family, northwestern group, Abkhaz-Abaza subgroup 3) 32,000-33,000; TP: 35,000 4) None 5) Three isolated zones in northern and northwestern Karachay-Cherkess Republic 6) Cyrillic 7) It is sometimes considered equal to Kabardian and Cherkess, given its current geographical situation, though its closest linguistic relationship is with the Abkhaz language, spoken in northwestern Republic of Georgia.

ADYGHE

1) Adigue, Adigué inferior, Kiakh, Circasiá 2) Caucasian family, northwestern group, Circassian subgroup 3) 118,000-120,000; TP: 125,000 4) Republic of Adygea, 20 percent 5) Isolated areas in northern Republic of Adygea; in areas of the Krasnodar territory bordering the Republic of Adygea 6) Cyrillic

AGHUL

1) Aguly 2) Caucasian family, northeastern group, Dagestani subgroup; Lezgian subgroup 3) 18,000; TP: 19,000 4) Dagestan Republic, 9 percent 5) 4 contiguous valleys in central and southern Dagestan Republic 6) Agraphic language; literature in Lezgian

AINU

3) Isolated language, nearly extinct 4) None 5) Isolated areas in the south of the Sakhalin Island and the Kuril islands 6) Agraphic language 7) Ainu-speakers have been assimilated to Russian, Nivhk and Itelm languages.

AKHVAKH

1) PrN: Ashwad; Axvax 2) Caucasian family, northeastern group, Dagestani subgroup, Avar-Andi-Dido subgroup, Andi subgroup 3) 4,000-5,000 4) Vid. Avar 5) West central Dagestan Republic 6) Agraphic language, literature in Avar 7) It is often considered a variant of Avar. The Akhvakh linguistic group is now undergoing an assimilation process into the Avar language.

ALEUT

1) Unangany, Unanghan 2) Eskimo-Aleut family, Aleut group 3) 10-200 4) None 5) Komandorskije Islands (Kamchatka Oblast) 6) Agraphic language

ALIUTOR

1) Olyutor 2) Chukchee-Kamchadal family, Northern subgroup, Koriak-Aliutor subgroup 3) 200; TP: 2,000 4) None 5) Northern zone of the Kamchatka peninsula (AO Koriak) and western coast of the Penzinskaja gulf (AO Koryak) 6) Agraphic language

ALTAI

1) PrN: Alaty-kizhi; Oirot 2) Altaic family, Turkish group, northern subgroup 3) 60,000-72,000; TP: 83,200 4) Altai Republic, 30 percent 5) Central fringe of the Altai Republic 6) Cyrillic 7) Dialects of Chelkan, Kumandin, Tuba and Teleut tribes are included, which are sometimes considered to be differentiated languages.

ANDI

1) PrN: Kwannal, Qwannaw; Qwannab, Andiy 2) Caucasian family, northeastern group, Dagestani subgroup, Avar-Andi-Dido subgroup, Andi subgroup 3) 9,000-10,000 4) Vid. Avar 5) Several northwestern valleys of Dagestan near the border of the Chechen Republic 6) Agraphic language, literature in Avar 7) Often included as a variant of Avar. The Andi linguistic group is now undergoing an assimilation process into the Avar language.

ARCHI

1) PrN: Arshishtib, Arshashdu; Archin 2) Caucasian family, northeastern group, Dagestani subgroup, Lezgian subgroup 3) 1,000 4) Vid. Avar 5) One western valley of Dagestan close to the border with the Republic of Azerbaijan 6) Agraphic language, literature in Avar 7) It is often included as a variant of Avar. The Archi linguistic group is now undergoing an assimilation process into the Avar language.

ARMENIAN

1) PrN: Hay 2) Indo-European family, Armenian group 3) TP: 532,000 4) Ext: Republic of Armenia 5) Areas in the Black Sea coastal region of the Krasnodar territory, near Adygea and Georgia 6) Armenian

AVAR

1) Dagestani; PrN: Magharulae 2) Caucasian family, northeastern group, Dagestani subgroup, Avar-Andi-Dido subgroup, Avar subgroup 3) 500,000-560,000 4) Dagestan Republic, 25-27 percent 5) Central zones of the Dagestan Republic 6) Cyrillic 7) The Andi, Archi, Akhvakh, Botlik, Bezhtin, Godoberi, Kuvarsi, Chamalal, Hunzib, Tindi, Ginukh, Karati, Dido and Bagulal languages are often included.

AZERBAIJANI

1) Azerbaiyano 2) Altaic family, Turkish group, southern subgroup 3) TP: 336,000 4) Ext: Republic of Azerbaijan 5) Southeastern coastal zones of the Dagestan Republic 6) Cyrillic

BAGVALAL

1) Kvanadin, Barbalin 2) Caucasian family, Northeastern group, Dagestani subgroup, Avar-Andi-Dido subgroup, Andi subgroup 3) 4,000-5,500 4) Vid. Avar 5) West central Dagestan Republic. 6) Agraphic language, literature in Avar 7) Often included as a variant of Avar. The Bagulal linguistic group is now undergoing an assimilation process into the Avar language.

BALKAR

1) PrN: Tanlu 2) Altaic family, Turkish group, Western subgroup 3) 80,000-85,000; TP: 88,000 4) Kabardino-Balkaria Republic, 9 percent 5) Center and West of the Kabardino-Balkaria Republic; border zones of the North Osetia Republic 6) Cyrillic 7) It is sometimes referred to as Karachay.

BASHKIR

1) PrN: Bashqort; Bashkar 2) Altaic family, Turkish group, western subgroup 3) 1,050,000; TP: 1,450,000 4) Bashkir Republic, 16 percent 5) Vast zones in the center, north and west of the Bashkir Republic, as well as in border zones and others near the Orenburg region; zones of the center of the Chelyabinsk region north and west of the capital; zones in western Kurgan region, limiting with Chelyabinsk 6) Cyrillic

BEZHTA

1) PrN: Kapucha, Bezhita; Bexita, Kupuca, Kapuchin 2) Caucasian family, Northeastern group, Dagestani subgroup, Avar-Andi-Dido subgroup, Andi subgroup 3) 2,500-3,000 4) Vid. Avar 5) 3 villages in the western center of the Dagestan Republic near the border of the Republic of Georgia 6) Agraphic language, literature in Avar 7) It is often included as a variant of Avar. The Bagulal linguistic group is now undergoing an assimilation process into the Avar language.

BOTLIKH

1) PrN: Buykhatty; Botlich, Botlix 2) Caucasian family, Northeastern group, Dagestani subgroup, Avar-Andi-Dido subgroup, Andi subgroup 3) 2,000-3,000 4) Vid. Avar 5) Mountain areas of the west-center of the Dagestan Republic near the Chechen Republic border 6) Agraphic language; literature en Avar 7) It is often included as a variant of Avar. The Botlik linguistic group is now undergoing an assimilation process into the Avar language.

BURIAT

2) Altaic family, Mongolian group 3) 318,000-363,000; TP: 422,000 4) Buryat Republic, 23 percent; Aga-Buryat AO, 50 percent; Ust-Orda Buryat AO, 32 percent 5) Central and western zones of the Buriat Republic; the whole territory of the Aga-Buryat AO; the whole territory of the Ust-Orda Buryat AO; isolated areas in North-western Ust-Orda Buryat AO in coastal zones and others near the Baikal lake (Irkutsk Oblast) 6) Cyrillic

CHAMALAL

1) Camalal, Chamalin 2) Caucasian family, northeastern subgroup, Dagestani subgroup, Avar-Andi-Dido subgroup, Andi subgroup 3) 4,000-5,500 4) Vid. Avar 5) West central border areas of the Dagestan Republic near the Chechen Republic border 6) Agraphic language, literature in Avar 7) It is often included as a variant of Avar. The Bagulal linguistic group is now undergoing an assimilation process into the Avar language.

CHECHEN

1) PrN: Nokhchiy; Galancho 2) Caucasian family, North-Central group or Vakh 3) 730,000-790,000 TP: 900,000-950,000 4) Chechen Republic, 79-86 percent 5) Center and South of the Chechen Republic 6) Cyrillic 7) The armed conflict has caused important movements of the Chechen population throughout the last years.

CHERKESS

2) Caucasian family, Northwestern group, Circassian subgroup 3) 46,000-47,000 4) Karachay-Cherkessia Republic, 10-11 percent 5) Northeastern areas of the Karachay-Cherkessia Republic 6) Cyrillic 7) It is often referred to as a language equal to Kabardian.

CHUKOT

1) Chukcha, Luoravetlan 2) Chukchee-Kamchadal family, northern group, Chukot subgroup 3) 10,000; TP: 15,000-16,000 4) Chukchee AO, 7 percent 5) Northern Kamchadal peninsula (Koryak AO); nearly the whole territory of the Chukchee AO; in the very northeast of the Yakut Republic; mid-Kolima river (Yakutia Republic) 6) Cyrillic

CHULYM

1) Melets; tá tar melets 2) Altaic family, Turkish group, Northern subgroup 3) Very few 4) None 5) Right hand bank of Chulym river, in eastern Asino town, in southernmost Tomsk region very near to Kemerovo Oblast 6) Nearly agraphic language, Cyrillic

CHUVAN

2) Uralic-Yukaghir family, Yukaghir group 3) 320; TP: 1,400 4) None 5) Isolated area in the southern center of Chukchee AO 6) Agraphic language 7) The Chuvan linguistic group is undergoing an assimilation process into the Russian language.

CHUVASH

1) Búlgar 2) Altaic family, Turkish group, Volga subgroup 3) 1,400,000; TP: 1,800,000 4) Chuvash Republic, 66 percent 5) The whole territory of the Chuvash Republic; isolated areas in northern and north eastern Ulyanovsk region, southern Tatarstan Republic, north, west and east of the Samara region, south western Perm region, northwestern Orenburg region and south, center and west of the Bashkir Republic; isolated zone in the left hand bank of Oka river, in southern Zima city (Irkutsk Oblast) 6) Cyrillic

DARGWA

1) PrN: Dargua; Khiurkilinskii 2) Caucasian family, northeastern group, Dagestani subgroup, Lak-Dargwa subgroup 3) 282,000 4) Dagestan Republic, 14 percent 5) Several areas in central and northern Dagestan Republic 6) Cyrillic 7) Both Kubachi and Kaidak languages are often included within Dargwa.

DIDO

1) PrN: Tsez; Cez, Tsutin 2) Caucasian family, northeastern group, Dagestani subgroup, Avar-Andi-Dido subgroup, Dido subgroup 3) 7,000 4) Vid. Avar 5) West central zone of the Dagestan Republic near the Georgian border 6) Agraphic language; literature in Avar 7) It is often referred to as a variant of Avar. The Dido linguistic group is now undergoing an assimilation process into the Avar language.

DOLGAN

1) PrN: Tya-kikhi, Sakha 2) Altaic family, Turkish group, Northern subgroup 3) 5,000; TP: 7,000 4) Taymyr AO, 7 percent 5) Upper basin and all the right hand bank of Kheta river up to the boundaries of Taymyr AO; isolated area in north eastern Tartar Republic, in the left hand bank of Kamza river, in southern Yelabuga city 6) Agraphic language, literature in Russian and Yakut

ENETS

1) PrN: Enete; Samoiedo ienisseic 2) Uralic family, Samoyed group, northern subgroup 3) 90-100; TP: 200 4) None 5) Low course of Yenissey River in northern Krasnojarsk territory and the western area of Taymyr AO 6) Agraphic language, literature in Nenets and in Russian 7) The Enets linguistic group is now undergoing an assimilation process into Nenets, Selkup and Dolgan languages.

ESTONIAN

1) PrN: Eestlased 2) Uralic family, Finno-Ugric group, Finnish subgroup, Northern-Baltic subgroup 3) TP: 46,000 4) Ext: Republic of Estonia 5) In a zone near the Estonian border in the western end of Pskov region, an isolated area in the basin of Chulym river, in eastern Asino city (Tomsk Oblast) 6) Latin

EVEN

1) PrN: Lamut; Ilqan 2) Altaic family, Tungus group, northern subgroup 3) 7,000; TP: 13,000 4) None 5) Zones in central Kamchatka peninsula (Kamchatka Oblast); in the east, in scattered zones from western Koriak AO and AO Txuktxi, up to the Lena river course in the west, covering the Northeastern part of the Yakut Republic, and in northeastern coastal areas of the Magadan Oblast 6) Cyrillic. Almost agraphic language, literature in Russian and Yakut 7) The Even linguistic group is often considered as part of Evenki.

EVENKI

1) Chapogir, Avanki, Solon, Khamnigan 2) Altaic family, Tungus group, Northern subgroup 3) 9,000; TP: 30,000 4) Evenk AO, 12 percent 5) A vast contiguous zone, which includes the whole territory of the Evenk AO, north and north eastern zones of the Republic of Buratya, northern area of Irkutsk Oblast, northern and northwestern areas of the Republic of Yakutia, western zones of the Chita and Amur regions, and in central and northern zones of Khabarovsk Kray 6) Cyrillic. Almost agraphic language, literature in Russian 7) The Evenki linguistic group is developing an assimilation process into the Burati, Yacut and Russian languages.

FINNISH

1) PrN: Suomalaiset; Suomi 2) Uralic family, Finno-Ugric group, Finnish subgroup, Northern-Baltic subgroup 3) 23,000-32,000; TP: 47,000 4) Ext: Republic of Finland 5) Isolated areas in the Leningrad region, between Ladoga Lake and the Finland gulf; western zone of the Kola peninsula (Murmansk Oblast) 6) Latin

GERMAN

2) Indo-European family, Germanic group, Western subgroup 3) TP: 842,000 4) Ext: Federal Republic of Germany; Republic of Austria; Helvetic Confederation; Autonomous Province of Bozen (Italy) 5) Western zone of the Republic of Kalmykia, between the city of Gorodovikovsk and the river Manyc; many zones in the area close to the border with Kazakhstan, from Samara and Orenburg up to Omsk and Barnaul (Chelyabinsk, Kurja, Volgograd, Orenburg Samara, Tyumen, Omsk, Novosibirsk and Altai Kray regions); isolated zone in west Ufa (Bashkir Republic) 6) Latin

GHODOBERI

1) PrN: Ghibdiri Adomi 2) Caucasian family, northeastern group, Dagestani subgroup, Avar-Andi-Dido subgroup, Andi subgroup 3) 2,000-3,000 4) Vid. Avar 5) Mountain area of west-central Dagestan Republic near the Chechen border 6) Agraphic language; literature in Avar 7) It is often referred to as a variant of Avar. The Ghodoberi linguistic group is now undergoing an assimilation process into the Avar language.

GREEK

1) PrN: Ellenoi 2) Indo-European family, Hellenic group 3) TP: 92,000 4) Ext: Republic of Greece; Republic of Cyprus 5) Isolated areas in the coastal Black Sea and Azov Sea regions of the Krasnodar territory; isolated zones in southern Stavropol territory 6) Greek

HIGH MARI

1) Cheremiso; Alto Mari; Hill Mari; Mari dels boscos, Mari occidental 2) Uralic family, Finno-Ugric group, Finnish subgroup, Volga subgroup 3) 40,000-60,000; TP: vid. Mari Olyk 4) Vid. Mari Olyk 5) Western area of Mari Republic 6) Cyrillic

HINUKH

1) Hinux, Ginukh, Ginukhtsy 2) Caucasian family, northeastern group, Dagestani subgroup, Avar-Andi-Dido subgroup, Dido subgroup 3) 200 4) Vid. Avar 5) Mountain areas in west central Dagestan Republic near the Georgian border 6) Agraphic language, literature in Avar 7) It is often referred to as a variant of Avar. The Ginuk linguistic group is now undergoing an assimilation process into the Avar language.

HUNZIB

1) Gunzib, Xunzal, Khunzaly, Enzeb 2) Caucasian family, Northeastern group, Dagestani subgroup, Avar-Andi-Dido subgroup, Dido subgroup 3) 400-2,000 4) Vid. Avar 5) Mountain area of west-central Dagestan Republic near the Georgian border 6) Agraphic language, literature in Avar 7) It is often considered a variant of Avar. The Hunzib linguistic group is now undergoing an assimilation process into the Avar language.

INGRIAN

1) PrN: Karjalainen; Izhor; Karjalan keelin; Izoran keeli 2) Uralic family, Finno-Ugric group, Finnish subgroup, Northern-Baltic subgroup 3) 300 4) None 5) Western zone of the Leningrad region, along the Finland Gulf coast 6) Agraphic language, literature in Russian 7) It is sometimes considered equal to the Finnish language. The Ingrian linguistic group is now undergoing an assimilation process into the Russian language.

INGUSH

1) PrN: Ghalghai 2) Caucasian family, North-central or Vakh group 3) 197,000-230,000; TP: 235.000 4) Ingushetia Republic, 70 percent 5) The whole territory of the Ingushetia Republic and in zones bordering North Osetia 6) Cyrillic

ITELMEN

1) Kamtxadal 2) Chukchee-Kamchadal family, Southern group 3) 100-500; TP: 2,000 4) None 5) Central zones (Kamchatka Oblast) and west (Koryak AO) of the Kamchatka peninsula 6) Agraphic language, literature in Russian 7) The Kamchaladi variant has been included. The Itelm linguistic group is now undergoing an assimilation process into the Russian language.

KABARDIAN

1) PrN: Adigue, Keberdei; Alto Adigue, Kabardino, Beslenei, Alt circasiá 2) Caucasian family, Northwestern group, Circassian subgroup 3) 380,000-385,000; TP: 397,000 4) Kabardino-Balkaria Republic, 46 percent 5) Central and eastern zones of the Kabardino-Balkaria Republic 6) Cyrillic 7) Cherkess is often included in it and it is often considered equal to Abazi.

KALMYK-OIRAT

1) PrN: Khalmy; Kalmuk 2) Altaic family, Mongolian group 3) 157,000; TP: 174,000 4) Republic of Kalmykia, 44 percent 5) Vast central and eastern zones of the Republic of Kalmykia 6) Cyrillic

KARACHAY

1) PrN: Qarachaily; Karacaylar 2) Altaic family, Turkish group, western subgroup 3) 150,000-155,000; TP: 162,000 4) Karachay-Cherkess Republic, 30 percent 5) Southern and eastern areas of Karachay-Cherkess Republic 6) Cyrillic

KARAGAS

1) Tofa 2) Altaic family, Turkish group, Northern subgroup 3) 300-600; TP: 700 4) None 5) South eastern tip of Irkutsk region, near the Tyva Republic border 6) Agraphic language, literature in Russian

KARATA

1) PrN: Kirtle; Karata, Qarata, Kirdi 2) Caucasian family, Northeastern group, Dagestani subgroup, Avar-Andi-Dido subgroup, Andi subgroup 3) 5,000-6,000 4) Vid. Avar 5) Mountain areas of west central Dagestan Republic near the Chechen border 6) Agraphic language, literature in Avar 7) It is often referred to as a variant of Avar. The Karata linguistic group is currently undergoing an assimilation process into the Avar language.

KARELIAN

1) Karjala, Korela 2) Uralic family, Finno-Ugric group, Finnish subgroup, Northern Baltic subgroup 3) 60,000-70,000. TP: 125,000 4) Republic of Karelia, 5 percent 5) Wide compact area in the central and northern Republic of Karelia and southern Kola peninsula (Murmansk Oblast); isolated zones in the regions of Leningrad (southeast), Novgorod (south), Vologda (northwest) Tver (south and northeast) 6) Almost agraphic language. Both Latin and Cyrillic scripts have been used 7) The dialectal variant called Olonets/Aunus/Livvi is often included, though it is sometimes referred to as a differentiated language.

KAZAKH

1) Kazajo 2) Altaic family, Turkish group, Central subgroup 3) TP: 636,000 4) Ext: Republic of Kazakhstan 5) Northern end of Altai Republic, near the Kazakhstan border, China and Mongolia; isolated zones in the south of the Omsk region; isolated zones in southern Chelyabinsk region; isolated zones in the southern and southeastern ends of the Orenburg region; isolated zones near the Kazakhstan border in the Astrakhan, Volgograd and Saratov regions; areas surrounding the Volga delta (Astrakhan Oblast) 6) Cyrillic

KEREK

1) 2) Chukchee-Kamchadal family, Northern group, Koriak-Aliutor subgroup 3) Nearly extinct 4) None 5) Coastal zone of Chukchee AO, in southern Beringovskyi city 6) Agraphic language

KET

1) Imbatski, Ostiac ienisseic 2) Yenisei family 3) 500-900; TP: 1,100-1,200 4) None 5) Scattered zones by the mid-course of Yenissei river (Krasnojarsk Krai) 6) Agraphic language, literature in Russian 7) The Ket linguistic group is currently undergoing an assimilation process into the Russian, Evenki and Khakas languages.

KHAIDAQ

1) PrN: Khaidag, Kaidaqan; Kaitag 2) Caucasian family, Northeastern group, Dagestani subgroup, Avar-Andi-Dido subgroup, Lak-Dargwa subgroup 3) 25,000-30,000 4) Vid. Dargwa5) Central and southern areas of Dagestan Republic 6) Agraphic language, literature in Dargwa. 7) It is often referred to as a variant of Dargwa. The Kaidak linguistic group is currently undergoing an assimilation process into the Dargwa language.

KHAKAS

1) PrN: Kha´as, Minusinsk; tá tar d'Abakan; Kamasio; tá tar ienisseic 2) Altaic family, Turkish group, Northern subgroup 3) 60,000-65,000; TP: 80,000 4) Khakassia Republic, 10 percent 5) Central and southwestern areas of the Khakassia Republic 6) Cyrillic

KHANTY

1) Vogul, Ostyak, Xanty 2) Uralic family, Finno-Ugric group, Ugric subgroup 3) 12,000-14,000; TP: 21,000 4) Khanti-Mansi AO, 1 percent 5) Scattered areas in northern, central and eastern Khanti-Mansi AO and areas in the boundaries of southwestern Yamalo-Nenets AO and northwestern Tomsk region 6) Cyrillic

KHVARSHI

1) PrN: Khvani, Khvarshal; Xvarashi 2) Caucasian family, Northeastern group, Dagestani subgroup, Avar-Andi-Dido subgroup, Dido subgroup 3) 800-1,800 4) Vid. Avar 5) Mountain zones in the west center of the Dagestan Republic close to the Chechen and Georgian borders 6) Agraphic language, literature in Avar 7) It is often included as a variant of Avar. The Kuvarsi linguistic group is currently undergoing an assimilation process into the Avar language.

KOMI-PERMYAK

1) PrN: Komi, Voityr 2) Uralic family, Finno-Ugric group, Finnish subgroup, and Permian subgroup. 3) 105,000-120,000; TP: 150,000. 4) Komi-Permian AO, 48-50 percent. 5) The whole territory of the Komi-Permian AO. 6) Cyrillic. 7) Komi languages are sometimes considered as the same language.

KOMI-ZYRIAN

1) PrN: Komi, Voityr; Zirié 2) Uralic family, Finno-Ugric group, Finnish subgroup, Permian subgroup 3) 250,000-265,000; TP: 345,000 4) Komi Republic, 18-20 percent. 5) The whole territory of the Republic of Komis; and in zones bordering Yamalo-Nenets and Nenets AOs; eastern zone of the Kola peninsula (Murmansk Oblast) 6) Cyrillic 7) Both Komi languages are sometimes considered the same language.

KOREAN

2) Altaic family, Korean-Japanese group 3) TP: 108,000 4) Ext: North and South Korean Republics 5) Zones in southern Sakhalin Island 6) Chinese-Korean

KORYAK

1) Nymylan 2) Chukchee-Kamchadal family, Northern group, Koryak-Aliutor subgroup 3) 3,500-4,800; TP: 9,000 4) Koryak AO, 12 percent 5) Isolated areas in northeastern Kamchatka Oblast; practically the whole AO Koriak territory 6) Cyrillic

KUBACHI

1) PrN: Urbugh; Qubachi 2) Caucasian family, Northeastern group, Dagestani subgroup, Avar-Andi-Dido subgroup, Lakh-Dargwa subgroup. 3) 3,000. 4) Vid. Dargwa. 5) Upper central zone of Dagestan Republic. 6) Agraphic language, literature in Dargwa. 7) It is often included as a variant of Dargwa. The Kubachi linguistic group is currently undergoing an assimilation process into the Dargwa language.

KUMYK

1) Qumuq, Kumuklar 2) Altaic family, Turkish group, Western subgroup 3) 275,000-280,000 4) Dagestan Republic, 12 percent 5) West central zone of Dagestan near the Caspian Sea coast, around Makhachkala 6) Cyrillic

LAK

1) PrN: Liak, Kazakumuk 2) Caucasian family, Northeastern group, Dagestani subgroup, Lak-Dargwa subgroup 3) 110,000; TP: 118,000 4) Dagestan Republic, 5 percent 5) Isolated zones in inner and coastal Dagestan 6) Cyrillic

LEZGI

1) Lezguian, Kiurinsty 2) Caucasian family, Northeastern group, Dagestani subgroup, Lezgian subgroup 3) 255,000 4) Dagestan Republic, 13 percent 5) Southern Dagestan near the Azerbaijani border 6) Cyrillic

LOW MARI

1) Cheremiso, Bajo Mari; Meadow Mari; Mari de les praderes; Mari oriental 2) Uralic family, Finno-Ugric group, Finnish subgroup, Volga subgroup 3) 500,000-525,000; TP: 670,000 4) Mari Republic, 36 percent 5) Central and eastern Mari Republic and border zones near the Kirov region; isolated areas in northwestern Bashkir Republic; isolated zones in the southeastern end of Sverlodsk region, very near to the Bashkir Republic and Perm region borders 6) Cyrillic

LUDIAN

1) Lyudikovian, Lyudic 2) Uralic family, Finno-Ugric group, Finnish subgroup, Northern-Baltic subgroup 3) 5,000 4) None 5) Southeastern Karelian Republic, north of Petrozadovsk city 6) Agraphic language, literature in Russian 7) The Ludian language sometimes appears as a variant of Karelian.

MANSI

1) Vogul, Gogulich 2) Uralic family, Finno-Ugric group, Ugric subgroup 3) 3,000; TP: 8,500 4) Khanty-Mansi AO, <1 percent 5) Western area of Khanty-Mansi AO 6) Cyrillic, literature in Russian

MOLDAVIAN

2) Indo-European family, Romance group 3) TP: 172,000 4) Ext: Republic of Moldova 5) Some coastal zones in the Azov Sea region in Krasnodar territory, and near Rostov in the Rostov region 6) Latin 7) Language closely related to Rumanian.

MONGOLIAN

1) Khalka; Halh 2) Altaic family, Mongolian group 3) 1,700-2,600 4) Ext: Republic of Mongolia 5) Zones in Tuva and Buryat Republics and in the Chita region, near the Mongolian border 6) Mongolian 7) The Mongolian linguistic group in Russia has a tendency to assimilate with the Buriat language.

MORDVIN-ERZYA

2) Uralic family, Finno-Ugric group, Finnish subgroup, Volga subgroup 3) 400,000-625,000; TP: 1,200,000 4) Mordovia Republic, 23 percent, together with Moksha 5) Western half of the Mordovia Republic and border areas close to Niznij-Novgorod, Ulyanovsk regions and the Chuvash Republic; isolated areas in southern and western Ulyanovsk region and near the border between this and the Penza region; isolated areas in northwest Orenburg region and near the border between this and the Bashkir and Tartar Republics, as well as the Samara region; one isolated area in the northern end of the border between Samara and Ulyanovsk regions 6) Cyrillic

MORDVIN-MOKSHA

1) Maksha, Mordov 2) Uralic family, Finno-Ugric group, Finnish and Volga subgroup 3) 250,000-425,000; TP: vid. Erzya 4) Mordovia Republic, 23 percent, together with Erzya 5) Western half of the Mordovia Republic and nearby zones bordering with the Niznij-Novgorod, Ryazan, Tambov and Penza regions; isolated area in the Penza region, southeast of the capital; isolated areas in the southwest of the Tartar Republic and near the border between this and the Ulyanovsk region; isolated zones around the city of Samara, in the region under the same name 6) Cyrillic

NANAI

1) Gold, Hezhen, Heche 2) Altaic family, Tungus group, Southern group 3) 5,000-6,000; TP: 12,000 4) None 5) Several isolated zones by the mid-low course of Amur river (Khabarovsk Krai) 6) Cyrillic; practically agraphic language, literature in Russian

NEGIDAL

1) PrN: El´kan Beyenin 2) Altaic family, Tungus group, Northern subgroup 3) 100-170; TP: 500 4) None 5) Isolated zone in the valley of Amguri river (Khabarovsk Krai) 6) Agraphic language, literature in Russian 7) The Negidal linguistic group is sometimes considered as part of Evenki. Assimilation process into Nanai and Russian.

NENETS

1) Nentsy, Yurak 2) Uralic family, Samoyed group, Northern subgroup 3) 27,000; TP: 35,000 4) Nenets AO, 11 percent; Yamalo-Nenets AO, 4 percent; Taymyr AO, 8 percent 5) Vast contiguous zone including the whole Nenets AO territory, central and northern areas of Yamalo-Nenets AO, western area of Taymir AO and north and north eastern areas of Khanty-Mansi AO 6) Cyrillic; practically agraphic language, literature in Russian

NGANASAN

1) PrN: Nya; Tavgi samoied 2) Uralic family, Samoyed group, Northern subgroup 3) 500-1,000; TP: 1,300 4) None 5) Three villages in southern Taymyr peninsula: Ust-Avam, Volochanka and Novaya, as well as scattered throughout the rest of the peninsula (Taymyr AO) 6) Agraphic language, literature in Nenets and Russian

NIVHKI

1) Gilyak 2) Isolated language 3) 400-1,000; TP: 4,700 4) None 5) Isolated zones in northern Sakhalin Island and around the Amur River mouth (Khabarovsk Kray) 6) Cyrillic; almost agraphic language, literature in Russian

NOGAI

1) Noghai, Nogalar 2) Altaic family, Turkish group, Central subgroup 3) 67,000; TP: 75,000 4) Dagestan Republic, 2 percent 5) Zones in northern Dagestan; border areas between the Stavropol territory and Dagestan and the Krasnodar territory; northern Karachay-Cherkess area bordering with Krasnodar and Stavropol; North eastern Republic of Chechnya bordering with Dagestan 6) Cyrillic

NORWEGIAN

2) Indo-European family, Germanic group, Northern subgroup 3) Very few 4) Ext: Kingdom of Norway 5) Upper Kola Peninsula 6) Latin

OROCH

1) Orochi 2) Altaic family, Tungus group, Southern subgroup 3) 100-200; TP: 1,000-2,000 4) None 5) Two small coastal zones in Kjabarovsk Kray, in northern Sovetskaja Gavan city 6) Agraphic language, literature in Russian 7) Eventually assimilated to Nanai.

OROK

1) Ulta 2) Altaic family, Tungus group, Southern subgroup 3) 30-90; TP: 200-300 4) None 5) Small coastal area in northeastern Sakhalin Island 6) Agraphic language, literature in Russian 7) Eventually assimilated to Nanai.

OSSET

1) PrN: Iron, Digor 2) Indo-European family, Iranic group 3) 400,000 4) North Osetia Republic, 55 percent 5) All central and southern territories of the North Osetia Republic; isolated area near the north of the Osetia Republic in the Stavropol territory 6) Cyrillic

RUSSIAN

1) PrN: Russkie 2) Indo-European family, Slavic group, Eastern subgroup 3) 141,000,000 4) Russian Federation, 88 percent 5) The whole territory 6) Cyrillic

RUTUL

1) Mykhanidy, Chal, Mukhad 2) Caucasian family, Northeastern group, Dagestanic subgroup, Lezgian subgroup 3) 14,000-20,000 4) Dagestan Republic, 1 percent 5) Mountain areas in southern Dagestan Republic near the Azerbaijan border 6) Agraphic language, literature in Russian, Azerbaijani and Lezgian 7) The Rutul linguistic group is currently undergoing an assimilation process into the Lezgian language.

SAAMI

1) Lapón 2) Uralic family, Finno-Ugric group, Finnish subgroup, Northern-Baltic subgroup 3) 700-1,800 4) None 5) In several zones of the Kola peninsula (Murmansk Oblast) 6) Practically agraphic in Russia, though some variants have made use of both Latin and Cyrillic scripts; literature in Russian 7) Kildin, Skolt, Ter and Akkala dialects, which are sometimes considered as different languages, are included.

SELKUP

1) Ostiac samoied 2) Uralic family, Samoyed group, Northern subgroup 3) 1,500-1,700; TP: 3,000-3,500 4) None 5) Areas in northern Tomsk region; southeastern zone of Yamalo-Nenets AO and northern border zones by the north easternmost tip of Khanti-Mansi AO and the northwestern fringe of Krasnoyarsk Kray 6) Agraphic language, literature in Russian

SHOR

1) PrN: Shor-kizhi, Abat-kizhi; Aba, Tá tar kondoma 2) Altaic family, Turkish group, northern subgroup 3) 9,600; TP: 16,000 4) None 5) Southern tip of Kemerovo regions, bordering the Khakassia and Altai Republics 6) Cyrillic

TABASSARAN

1) Tabasarano, Ghumghum 2) Caucasian family, northeastern group, Dagestanic subgroup, Lezgian subgroup 3) 80,000-95,000 4) Dagestan Republic, 4 percent 5) North-central zone in inner Dagestan 6) Cyrillic

TATAR

2) Altaic family, Turkish group, Western subgroup 3) 4,550,000-4,580,000; TP: 5,500,000 4) Tatarstan Republic, 45 percent 5) The largest contiguous area comprises the whole territory of the Tatarstan Republic, plus central and western Bashkir Republic; several isolated areas around this nucleus in eastern Niznij Novgorod region, the east of the Mari Republic, southern Kirov region, and southern Udmurtia Republic, center and southern Perm region, central and western Mordovia Republic, central and eastern Penza region, central and northern Uljanovsk region, northern Samara region, the whole territory of Orenburg region, western and northern Chelyabinsk region, south western Kurgan region and south western Sverlodvsk region; isolated areas in Volga's delta, in southern Astrakhan region; isolated zone in eastern Volgograd city; isolated zones near the Kazakhstan border in eastern Saratov region; isolated zones in the coastal region of the Krasnodar territory; northeastern area in Stavropol territory; isolated zones in northern Kemerovo region; isolated zone in eastern Tomsk city; isolated zones in central Krasnoyarsk territory; the area corresponding to Siberian Tartar is placed in the mid-course of Irtys river and its confluence with Tobol including central and northern Tyumen region and northern Omsk region; there are isolated zones in southern Tomsk region, northwestern Kemerovo region and west central Novosibirsk region 6) Latin and Cyrillic 7) It includes different Tatar variants such as Siberian Tatar or Crimean Tatar.

TAT

1) Hebrew tat, Dzhuhuriz, Chufut, Juwri, Juhuri, Bik 2) Indo-European family, Iranic group 3) 7,000-15,000 4) None 5) Scattered villages in Dagestan and Kabardino-Balkaria mountains 6) Agraphic language, literature in Azerbaijani and Russian

TINDI

1) Tindal 2) Caucasian family, Northeastern group, Dagestanic subgroup, Avar-Andi-Dido subgroup, Andi subgroup 3) 5,000 4) Vid. Avar 5) Mountain areas in west central Dagestan Republic near the Chechen and Georgian Republics 6) Agraphic language, literature in Avar 7) It is often included as a variant of Avar. The Kuvarsi linguistic group is currently undergoing an assimilation process into the Avar language.

TSAKHUR

1) PrN: Yikhi; Tsakhur, Caxur 2) Caucasian family, Northeastern group, Dagestanic subgroup, Lezgian subgroup 3) 6,000-7,000 4) Dagestan Republic, <1 percent 5) Mountain area in southwestern Dagestan republic near the Azerbaijani border 6) Agraphic language, literature in Russian, Azerbaijani and Lezgian 7) The Tsakhur linguistic group is currently undergoing an assimilation process into the Lezgian language.

TURKMEN

1) Turkmeno 2) Altaic family, Turkish group, Northern subgroup 3) TP: 38,000 4) Ext: Republic of Turkmenistan 5) Northeastern zone of Stavropol territory 6) Cyrillic

TUVIN

1) PrN: Tuva; Tuvano, Soyot, Uriankhai, Diba 2) Altaic family, Turkish group, Northern subgroup 3) 205,000 4) Tuva Republic, 63 percent 5) The whole Tuva republic territory; Tuvalar variants are spoken in the northeastern tip of the Altai Republic, near the Kemerovo region and the Khakassia Republic 6) Cyrillic 7) It includes the Tuvalar language and other variants of northern Turkish, spoken in the northeastern tip of the Altai Republic, near the Kemerovo region and the Khakassia Republic.

UDIHE

1) PrN: Udes, Udegeitzis; Udege 2) Altaic family, Tungus group, Northern subgroup 3) 100-500; TP: 2,000 4) None 5) Isolated inner zones near the boundaries between Khabarovsk Kray and Primorye Kray 6) Agraphic language, literature in Russian 7) Very often assimilated to Nanai

UDMURT

1) Votyak 2) Uralic family, Finno-Ugric group, Finnish subgroup, Permian subgroup 3) 500,000-550,000; TP: 750,000 4) Udmurtia Republic, 23 percent 5) The whole territory of the Udmurtia Republic, except for the southeastern tip and some adjacent zones near the Tartar border; isolated zones in northeastern Bashkir Republic; isolated zones in eastern Kirov region; isolated zone in northeastern Krasnojarsk 6) Cyrillic

UKRAINIAN

1) PrN: Ukraintsy 2) Indo-European family, Slavic group, Eastern subgroup 3) TP: 4,363,000 4) Ext: Republic of Ukraine 5) Coastal zones of Krasnodar territory; border zones near Ukraine, by the Don river (Belgorod and Voronezh regions); isolated zones aïllades in western Saratov, by the Medveditsa river (Saratov and Volgograd regions); isolated zones near the Kazakhstan border in Samara, Orenburg, Chelyabinsk, Novosibirsk and Altai Kray regions; isolated zones in eastern Abakan, in southern Krasnoyarsk territory 6) Cyrillic

ULCH

1) Ulchi, Olch, Hoche 2) Altaic family, Tungus group, Northern subgroup 3) 500-1,000; TP: 3,200 4) None 5) Six small areas in the lower course of Amur River, near Bogorodsk (Khabarovsk Kray) 6) Agraphic language, literature in Russian 7) It is sometimes considered as part of Nanai.

VEPSIAN

1) PrN: Lyudinikad; Chuhari; Veps 2) Uralic family, Finno-Ugric group, Finnish subgroup, Northern-Baltic subgroup 3) 6,000-7,000; TP: 12,000 4) None 5) Zones surrounding the Onega lake in Vologda (northwestern zone), Leningrad (north eastern zone) and Karelian Republic (south eastern tip) regions 6) Practically agraphic language; Latin and Cyrillic scripts have been used; literature in Russian

VOTIAN

1) PrN: Vodes, Vod´d´alaiset; Vod, Votic 2) Uralic family, Finno-Ugric group, Finnish subgroup, Northern-Baltic subgroup 3) 20-30; Nearly extinct 4) None 5) Western tip of the Leningrad region, near the Estonian border 6) Agraphic language, literature in Russian 7) The Votian group is currently undergoing an assimilation process into the Russian language.

YAKUT

1) PrN: Saha 2) Altaic family, Turkish group, Northern subgroup 3) 358,000-363,000; TP: 382,000 4) Yakutia Republic, 30 percent 5) Isolated zone in the upper course of Kolima river (Magadan Oblast); nearly all the territory of the Yakutia Republic; zones of Taymyr AO and Evenki AO bordering with Yakutia; North eastern zone of Irkutsk Oblast bordering with Yakutia; East central zone of Khabarovsk Kray 6) Cyrillic

YIDDISH

1) Hebreu Askenazí, Judeo-alemany 2) Indo-European family, Germanic group, Western subgroup 3) TP: 537,000 4) Birobidzan AO, <2 percent 5) Birobidzan city surrounding areas 6) Latin

YUGH

2) Yenisei family 3) Nearly extinct 4) None 5) Left hand bank of Yenissei river, in its mid-basin between Yeloguy and Sym rivers (Krasnoyarsk Kray) 6) Agraphic language

YUKAGHIR

1) Odul, Kolyma Tundra 2) Uralic-Yukaghir family, Yukaghir group 3) 350-400; TP: 1,100 4) None 5) North eastern tip of the Yakutia Republic 6) Agraphic language, literature in Russian and Yakut

YUPIK

1) PrN: Inuit; Yoit, Yuk, Esquimal asiá tic 2) Eskimo-Aleut family, Eskimo group 3) 350-400; TP: 1,500-1,900 4) None 5) Two isolated zones in the northeastern coast of Chukchee AO 6) Agraphic language, literature in Russian and Chukchee 7) It includes Central Siberian and Naukan dialects.

Source: Minority Languages of the Russian Federation, Perspectives for a ratification of the European Charter of Regional and Minority Languages, by Eduardo J. Ruiz Vieytez, Universidad de Deusto, Mercator web page http://www.troc.es/ciemen/mercator/index-gb.htm, Working Papers, Minority Languages of the Russian Federation.

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