Hantza/Dialects

This article details the specifics of Hantza dialects, all of which are mutually intelligible with one another.

Hantza is spoken in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Afghanistan. Four main dialectal divisions are usually made. As of yet, there is no standard form of the language.

As one would expect, there are phonological, lexical and grammatical difference between dialects. For example, the terms for compass points differ according to linguistic setting.

Turkmenistan

Karakum

With some 85,000 speakers, the Karakum dialect is the largest and most conservative dialect of Hantza. It is spoken in central and western Turkmenistan.

This is also the most studied Hantza dialect.

Balkan

The Balkan dialect is also spoken in western Turkmenistan but has considerably fewer speakers (6,000) than the Karakum dialect. It is notable for its integration of loan words and smaller mode (tense-aspect-mood) system.

Uzbekistan

Predominant in Uzbekistan, the Qarshi dialect of Hantza is spoken by around 41,000 people.

There is a second, small dialect found in Uzbekistan which has only 2,000 or so speakers. This dialect is known as Ospik.

In both dialects the most common value for /r/ is the uvular [ʁ].

Afghanistan

The so-called Afghan dialect of Hantza is a collection of five smaller sub-dialects, each one having between 4,000 and 7,000 speakers.

1. Batzo - 7,000 speakers (spoken in Badakhshan and Takhar Province)
2. Hafa - 5,500 (Herat and Farah Province)
3. Balak - 5,250 (Balkh Province)
4. Soton - 5,000 (Badakhshan Province)
5. Kobol - 4,250 (Kabul Province)

All Afghan dialects possess an aspirated-voiceless distinction in plosives rather than a voiceless-voiced distinction. They are also characterised by the presence of /ɣ/ or /k/ (which contrasts with /kʰ/) in place of /h/. It is not known whether this feature is innovative or conservative.

These are the least studied dialects.