What is zaza?

Zaza is an Indo-European language spoken primarily in eastern Turkey. It belongs to the Zaza–Gorani branch of the Northwestern Iranian languages, which also includes Gorani and Shabaki.

• Geographic Distribution: The Zaza-speaking region mainly covers parts of the provinces of Tunceli, Bingöl, Elazığ, Erzincan, and Sivas. Geographic Distribution is a key factor in the language's development and dialects.

• Linguistic Classification: Zaza is classified as part of the Northwestern Iranian languages. Its relationship with other Iranian languages, especially Kurdish, has been a subject of debate among linguists. See Linguistic Classification for more detailed information.

• Number of Speakers: Estimates vary, but it's believed that there are between 150,000 and 300,000 Zaza speakers. However, accurate figures are difficult to obtain. The number of Speakers is declining.

• Dialects: Zaza has several dialects that differ from each other in terms of phonology, morphology, and vocabulary. Important dialects include: Northern Zaza, Central Zaza and Southern Zaza. Learn more about Zaza Dialects.

• Writing System: Historically, Zaza did not have a standardized writing system. Today, it is written using a modified Latin alphabet. Development of a Writing System is crucial for language preservation.

• Language Status: Zaza is considered a vulnerable language due to factors like language shift toward Turkish and limited use in education and official domains. Language Status and preservation efforts are important.