Tamashek

Tamashek, also called Tamasheq or Tamajaq, is a Berber language of the Northern Tuareg subgroup within the Afroasiatic language family. It is spoken by Tuareg communities across the central Sahara, with major concentrations in Niger, Mali, and Algeria, and smaller communities in Libya, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria. The language comprises several regional varieties that share a core grammar but differ in pronunciation and lexicon.

Classification and varieties: Tamashek is part of the Berber (Tamazight) branch of Afroasiatic, within the Northern Berber group and the Tuareg language cluster. It is one of the primary Tuareg languages that collectively form a continuum across the Sahara, with dialects that are often labeled by region.

Writing systems: Tamashek is written in the Tifinagh script in modern use, particularly for signage and educational materials. Latin script is used in some publications and online content, while Ajami (Arabic script) has historical attestations and local use in certain periods.

Speakers, status, and transmission: Estimates of speaker numbers vary, but the language remains a primary means of daily communication for many Tuareg people in its heartland. Language vitality varies by region: in some areas it is transmitted to children and used in daily life, while in others it competes with official or regional linguae francae such as French or indigenous languages. Government policies and education programs in Niger, Mali, and Algeria influence its status.

Linguistic features: Like other Berber languages, Tamashek employs a root-and-pattern morphology with affixes to mark grammatical categories such as number and gender. It features a rich vowel system and consonant inventory that includes emphatics and uvulars common to Berber languages.