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Republic of Turkey, Turkiye Cumhuriyeti. 68,893,918. Population includes both Europe and Asia sections. National or official language: Turkish. Literacy rate: 76% to 90%. Also includes refugees from Central Asia (50,000). Information mainly from T. Sebeok 1963, 1970; O. Jastrow 1971, 1988; A. Nakano 1986; B. Comrie 1987; P.A. Andrews 1989; M. Izadi 1993. Blind population: 38,178. Deaf population: 316,839. Deaf institutions: 12. The number of languages listed for Turkey is 36. Of those, 34 are living languages and 2 are extinct.

Turkey - Asia

Also see Turkey in Europe for a listing of languages in Europe. Also includes Assyrian Neo-Aramaic, Avar, Chaldean Neo-Aramaic, Chechen (8,000), Dargwa, Lak (300), Lezgi (1,200), Mesopotamian Spoken Arabic (100,000), North Levantine Spoken Arabic (500,000), Northern Uzbek, Western Farsi (500,000). The number of languages listed for Turkey (Asia) is 24. Of those, 23 are living languages and 1 is extinct.

Living languages

Abaza

[abq] 10,000 in Turkey (1995).  Alternate names: Abazin, Tapanta, Abazintsy, Ahuwa.  Dialects: Tapanta, Ashkaraua (Ashkar), Bezshagh.  Classification: North Caucasian, West Caucasian, Abkhaz-Abazin 

Abkhaz

[abk] 4,000 in Turkey (1980). Ethnic population: 39,000 in Turkey (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk). Coruh in northeast Turkey, and some in northwest. Mainly villages in Bolu and Sakarya provinces. Alternate names: Abxazo.  Dialects: Bzyb, Abzhui, Samurzakan.  Classification: North Caucasian, West Caucasian, Abkhaz-Abazin 

Adyghe

[ady] 277,900 in Turkey (2000). 6,409 monolinguals (1965 census). Ethnic population: 130,000 in Turkey (1965 census). Villages in Kayseri, Tokat, Karaman Maras, and many other provinces in central and western Anatolia. Alternate names: Adygey, Circassian, Cherkes.  Classification: North Caucasian, West Caucasian, Circassian 

Arabic, North Mesopotamian Spoken

[ayp] 400,000 in Turkey (1992). Mardin and Siirt provinces. Alternate names: Syro-Mesopotamian Vernacular Arabic.  Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic 

Azerbaijani, South

[azb] 530,000 in Turkey. Kars Province. Alternate names: Azeri.  Dialects: Kars.  Classification: Altaic, Turkic, Southern, Azerbaijani 

Crimean Turkish

[crh]  It is not known how many still speak it in Turkey, though there are definitely some Crimean Tatar villages, such as Karakuyu in Polatli District of Ankara Province. Alternate names: Crimean Tatar.  Dialects: Northern Crimean (Crimean Nogai, Steppe Crimean), Central Crimean, Southern Crimean.  Classification: Altaic, Turkic, Southern 

Dimli

[diq] 1,000,000 in Turkey (1999 WA). Between 1.5 and 2.5 million speakers (including all dialects) (1998 Paul). East central, mainly in Elazig, Bingol, and Diyarbakir provinces, upper courses of the Euphrates, Kizilirmaq, and Murat rivers. Also spoken in Germany. Alternate names: Dimili, Zazaki, Southern Zaza, Zaza.  Dialects: Sivereki, Kori, Hazzu (Hazo), Motki (Moti), Dumbuli (Dumbeli). Several dialects. Related to Gurani group.  Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Zaza-Gorani 

Georgian

[kat] 40,000 in Turkey (1980). 4,042 monolinguals (1965 census). Ethnic population: 91,000. Villages in Artvin, Ordu, Sakarya, and other provinces of north and northwest Anatolia. Alternate names: Kartuli, Gruzin.  Dialects: Imerxev.  Classification: Kartvelian, Georgian 

Hértevin

[hrt] 1,000 (1999 H. Mutzafi). Originally Siirt Province. They have left their villages, most emigrating to the West, but some may still be in Turkey. Dialects: Hértevin Proper (Arton), Umraya, Jinet. Considerable differences from other Northeastern Aramaic varieties, and not intelligible with any or most of them.  Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, Aramaic, Eastern, Central, Northeastern 

Kabardian

[kbd] 550,000 in Turkey (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk). Most around Kayseri. 1,000 villages of Kabardian and Adyghe in Turkey. Classification: North Caucasian, West Caucasian, Circassian 

Kazakh

[kaz] 600 in Turkey (1982). Salihli town in Manisa Province, and an unknown number in Istanbul city; 308 in Kayseri Province; refugees from Afghanistan, now Turkish citizens. Alternate names: Kazakhi, Qazaqi, Kazax, Kosach, Kaisak.  Classification: Altaic, Turkic, Western, Aralo-Caspian 

Kirghiz

[kir] 1,137 in Turkey (1982). Van and Kars provinces. Classification: Altaic, Turkic, Western, Aralo-Caspian 

Kirmanjki

[kiu] 140,000 in Turkey. Population includes 100,000 in 182 villages in Tunceli Province, 40,000 in 13 or more villages in Erzincan Province (1972). Tunceli Province, Tunceli Merkez, Hozat, Nazmiye, Pülümür, and Ovacik subprovinces; Erzincan Province, Erzincan and Cayirli subprovinces; 8 or more villages in Elazig Province, Elazig Merkez and Karakoqan subprovinces; 3 villages in Bingöl Province, Kigi and Karkiova subprovinces; 46 villages in Mush Province, Varto Subprovince; 15 or more villages in Sivas Province, Zara, Imranli, Kangal, and Divrigi subprovinces; 11 or more villages in Erzerum Province, Hinis and Tekman subprovinces; and in many major cities of Turkey. Also spoken in Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom. Alternate names: Zaza, Northern Zaza, Zazaki, Alevica, Dimilki, Dersimki, So-Bê, Zonê Ma.  Dialects: Tunceli, Varto. Closest to Dimli. Lexical similarity 70% with Dimli.  Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Zaza-Gorani 

Kumyk

[kum]  A few villages. Alternate names: Kumuk, Kumuklar, Kumyki.  Dialects: Khasav-Yurt, Buinak, Khaidak.  Classification: Altaic, Turkic, Western, Ponto-Caspian 

Kurdish, Northern

[kmr] 3,950,000 in Turkey (1980). Population total all countries: 9,113,505. Ethnic population: 6,500,000 in Turkey (1993 Johnstone). The majority are in provinces of Hakkari, Siirt, Mardin, Agri, Diyarbakir, Bitlis, Bingol, Van, Adiyaman, and Mus. Also in Urfa, Kars, Tunceli, Malatya, Erzurum, Marash, Sivas, and other provinces. Communities in central Turkey (Cankiri, Cihanbeyli, near Konya). Many live in large cities in western Turkey (including Istanbul, Adana, Ankara, Izmir). Also spoken in Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Netherlands, Norway, Russia (Europe), Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Turkmenistan, United Kingdom, USA. Alternate names: Kurmanji, Kurmancî, Kirmancî, Kermancî, Kurdi, Kurdî.  Dialects: Boti (Botani), Marashi, Ashiti, Bayezidi, Hekari, Shemdinani. Differences in speaking among dialects, but all use the same written form.  Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Kurdish 

Laz

[lzz] 30,000 in Turkey (1980). Population total all countries: 33,000. Ethnic population: 92,000 in Turkey (1980). Rize in northeast, towns of Kemer, Atin, Artasen, Vitse, Arkab, Hopa, Sarp; and villages in Artvin, Sakarya, Kocaeli, and Bolu provinces. Also spoken in Belgium, France, Georgia, Germany, USA. Alternate names: Lazuri, Laze, Chan, Chanzan, Zan, Chanuri.  Dialects: Officially considered to be a single language with Mingrelian, called 'Zan', although linguists recognize that they are not inherently intelligible with each other.  Classification: Kartvelian, Zan 

Osetin

[oss]  The Digor dialect is reported to be in Bitlis and another small town in the west. Iron dialect in cities or towns of Sarikamis and Erzerum. Also in Mugla, Kars, Antalya. May also be in Syria. Alternate names: Ossete.  Dialects: Digor, Tagaur, Kurtat, Allagir, Tual, Iron.  Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Eastern, Northeastern 

Turkish

[tur] 46,278,000 in Turkey (1987). Population total all countries: 50,625,794. Spoken throughout Turkey as first or second language. Also spoken in Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, El Salvador, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Netherlands, Romania, Russia (Asia), Serbia and Montenegro, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, USA, Uzbekistan. Alternate names: Türkçe, Türkisch, Anatolian.  Dialects: Danubian, Eskisehir, Razgrad, Dinler, Rumelian, Karamanli, Edirne, Gaziantep, Urfa. Danubian is western; other dialects are eastern.  Classification: Altaic, Turkic, Southern, Turkish 

Turkish Sign Language

[tsm]   Classification: Deaf sign language 

Turkmen

[tuk] 925 in Turkey (1982). Tokat Province. Alternate names: Trukhmen.  Classification: Altaic, Turkic, Southern, Turkmenian 

Turoyo

[tru] 3,000 in Turkey (1994 Hezy Mutzafi). Population total all countries: 84,000. Ethnic population: 50,000 to 70,000 (1994). Southeastern Turkey, Mardin Province (originally). Also spoken in Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Iraq, Lebanon, Netherlands, Sweden, Syria, USA. Alternate names: Suryoyo, Syryoyo, Turani, Süryani.  Dialects: Midyat, Midin, Kfarze, `Iwardo, Anhil, Raite. Related to Northeastern Aramaic varieties. Turoyo subdialects exhibit a cleavage between Town Turoyo (Midyat Turoyo), Village Turoyo, and Mixed (Village-Town) Turoyo. The latter is spoken mainly by the younger generation outside Tur `Abdin, Turkey, the language’s original location, and is gaining ground throughout the Jacobite diaspora in other countries.  Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, Aramaic, Eastern, Central, Northwestern 

Uyghur

[uig] 500 in Turkey (1981). Kayseri city, and an unknown number in Istanbul. Possibly in Iran. Alternate names: Uighur, Uygur, Uigur.  Classification: Altaic, Turkic, Eastern 

Uzbek, Southern

[uzs] 1,981 in Turkey (1982). Hatay, Gaziantep, and Urfa provinces. Also possibly in Germany. Classification: Altaic, Turkic, Eastern 

Extinct languages

Syriac

[syc] Extinct. Turkey, Iraq, and Syria. Also spoken in Iraq. Alternate names: Classical Syriac, Ancient Syriac, Suryaya, Suryoyo, Lishana Atiga.  Dialects: Western Syriac, Eastern Syriac. The Syrian churches: Eastern (Nestorian), Syrian Orthodox (Jacobite), Syrian Catholic (Melkite, Maronite) developed a vast literature based on the Edessa (currently Sanliurfa, southeastern Turkey) variety of the Syrian dialect. The Assyrian group (see Assyrian Neo-Aramaic in Iraq and elsewhere) separated denominationally from the Chaldean (see Chaldean Neo-Aramaic in Iraq) and Jacobite (see Turoyo in Turkey and Syria) in the Middle Ages. Neo-Eastern Aramaic languages spoken by Christians are often dubbed 'Neo-Syriac', although not directly descended from Syriac.  Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, Aramaic, Eastern 

Turkey – Europe

Also see Turkey in Asia for a listing of languages in Asia. The number of languages listed for Turkey (Europe) is 12. Of those, 11 are living languages and 1 is extinct.

Living languages

Albanian, Tosk

[als] 15,000 in Turkey (1980). 1,075 monolinguals (1965 census). Ethnic population: 65,000 in Turkey. Scattered in western Turkey. Classification: Indo-European, Albanian, Tosk 

Armenian

[hye] 40,000 in Turkey (1980). 1,022 monolinguals (1965 census). Ethnic population: 70,000 in Turkey (1980). Many in Istanbul, and a few scattered across eastern Turkey. The Hemshin (Hamshen) are Armenian Muslims, living near the Laz. Alternate names: Haieren, Somkhuri, Ermenice, Armjanski.  Dialects: Eastern Armenian.  Classification: Indo-European, Armenian 

Balkan Gagauz Turkish

[bgx] 327,000 in Turkey (1993 Johnstone). Population includes 7,000 Surguch (1965) and 320,000 Yuruk. Population total all countries: 331,000. Yuruk dialect on the west coast in Macedonia. Also spoken in Greece, Macedonia. Alternate names: Balkan Turkic.  Dialects: Gajol, Gerlovo Turks, Karamanli, Kyzylbash, Surguch, Tozluk Turks, Yuruk (Yoruk, Konyar).  Classification: Altaic, Turkic, Southern, Turkish 

Bulgarian

[bul] 300,000 in Turkey (2001 Johnstone and Mandryk). Population includes refugees from Bulgaria. Scattered in Edirne and other western provinces. Alternate names: Pomak.  Dialects: Pomak.  Classification: Indo-European, Slavic, South, Eastern 

Domari

[rmt] 28,461 in Turkey (2000 WCD). Mainly in western Turkey, some in eastern Turkey. Alternate names: Middle Eastern Romani, Tsigene, Gypsy.  Dialects: Karachi, Beludji, Marashi.  Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Dom 

Greek

[ell] 4,000 in Turkey (1993). Istanbul city. Classification: Indo-European, Greek, Attic 

Ladino

[lad] 8,000 in Turkey (1976). Ethnic population: 15,000. Mainly in Istanbul; some in Izmirin. Alternate names: Dzhudezmo, Judeo Spanish, Sefardi, Judezmo, Hakitia, Haketia, Spanyol.  Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Castilian 

Pontic

[pnt] 4,535 in Turkey (1965 Mackridge). Northest Turkey, easternmost part of Pontic-speaking region. Classification: Indo-European, Greek, Attic 

Romani, Balkan

[rmn] 25,000 Arlija in Turkey.  Dialects: Arlija (Erli).  Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Central zone, Romani, Balkan 

Serbian

[srp] 20,000 in Turkey (1980). 2,345 monolinguals (1965 census). Ethnic population: 61,000. Scattered in western Turkey. Alternate names: Bosnian.  Classification: Indo-European, Slavic, South, Western 

Tatar

[tat]  Istanbul and perhaps other places. Classification: Altaic, Turkic, Western, Uralian 

Extinct languages

Ubykh

[uby] Extinct. Haci Osman village, near the Sea of Marmara, near Istanbul. Alternate names: Ubyx, Pekhi, Oubykh.  Classification: North Caucasian, West Caucasian, Ubyx 

courtesy of Gordon, Raymond G., Jr. (ed.), 2005. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Fifteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International. Online version: http://www.ethnologue.com/