Tsez

Tsez is a Northeast Caucasian language spoken by the Tsez people in the Tsuntinsky District of Dagestan, Russia. It belongs to the Tsezic branch of the Northeast Caucasian language family, which also includes languages like Hunzib and Bezhta. Tsez is also known by several other names, including Dido, Zanada, and Tsa'ada.

The number of Tsez speakers is estimated to be around 13,000, though precise figures can vary. The language is primarily spoken in rural mountain villages, with many speakers also residing in other parts of Dagestan and beyond. Tsez is an endangered language, and its vitality is threatened by the dominance of Russian and Avar, the most widely spoken language in Dagestan.

Tsez has a complex phonological system, including ejectives and pharyngeals. Its grammar is characterized by an ergative-absolutive alignment, a rich case system, and a verb system that marks for tense, aspect, mood, and person. There are several dialects of Tsez, which can differ in pronunciation and vocabulary.

Traditionally, Tsez has been an unwritten language, with Avar and Russian serving as languages of wider communication and education. However, efforts have been made in recent years to document and revitalize Tsez, including the development of alphabets and educational materials. Despite these efforts, the language continues to face significant challenges in its transmission to younger generations.