Riffian
The Berber variety of the Rif region in northern Morocco. Heavily distinct from other Tamazight varieties in phonology, including a strong final-vowel reduction.
Kabyle
Also known as: Taqbaylit
The Berber variety of the Kabylie region in northern Algeria. The most documented and standardised Algerian Tamazight, with a strong written literary tradition.
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Frequently asked questions
What language is Kabyle?
Kabyle is a dialect of the Tamazight language.
Where is Kabyle spoken?
Kabyle is primarily spoken in Algeria.
Which region is Kabyle associated with?
Kabyle is part of the North Africa region on DialectAtlas.
Is Kabyle known by other names?
Yes — Kabyle is also referred to as Taqbaylit.
What are the other dialects of Tamazight?
Tamazight also includes Tarifit, Tashelhit, Tamasheq, Central Atlas Tamazight, Siwi, Nafusi. Each variety has its own vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural context.
Other Tamazight dialects
See on the atlas →Shilha · Soussian Berber
The Berber variety of the southern Atlas and Souss valley in Morocco. The most numerous Tamazight variety, with a literary tradition going back centuries.
Tuareg Berber
The Berber variety of the Tuareg confederations across the central Sahara. Written historically in the Tifinagh script, which Tuareg communities have preserved continuously.
Tamazight · Beraber
The Berber variety of the Middle Atlas mountains in central Morocco. Roughly 2.5 million speakers; the basis of much of the standardised Moroccan Tamazight taught in schools.
Siwa Berber
The easternmost surviving Berber language, spoken in the Siwa Oasis of western Egypt. Heavily restructured by Arabic contact; the only Tamazight variety inside Egypt.
Nafusi Berber · Jebel Nafusa
The Berber variety of the Nafusa mountains in north-western Libya. Around 200,000 speakers; one of the few surviving Berber languages inside Libya.
Nearby dialects
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The Catalan minority variety of Alghero on the island of Sardinia, rooted in medieval Catalan settlement and long separated from the main Catalan-speaking territories. It survives as a local heritage language in intense contact with Italian and Sardinian.