Lezgic languages

The languages of minor Lezgic peoples demonstrate a distinct convergence toward the standardized Lezgin literary language. Lezgin, Aghul, Rutul, Tabasaran, Tsakhur and Udi are literary languages. Khinalug may either be Lezgic or an independent branch of the Northeast Caucasian family. • in DagestanPeripheral: Archi – 1,700 speakers • Samur (Nuclear Lezgic) • Eastern Samur • Aghul – 33,200 speakers • Tabasaran – 87, 214 speakers • Southern Samur • Kryts – 5,000 speakers • Budukh – 200 speakers • Jek – 1,500 speakers • Western Samur • Rutul – 36,400 speakers • Tsakhur – 22,300 speakers ==The voicing of ejective consonants==

The Lezgic languages are relevant to the glottalic theory of Indo-European, because several have undergone the voicing of ejectives that have been postulated but widely derided as improbable in that family. The correspondences have not been well worked out (Rutul is inconsistent in the examples), but a few examples are: • Non-Lezgic: Avar ; Lezgic: Rutul , Tsakhur 'name' • Non-Lezgic: Archi , Lak ; Lezgic: Rutul , Tabassaran , Aɡul 'beard' • Non-Lezgic: Avar ; Lezgic: Tabassaran 'moon' A similar change has taken place in non-initial position in the Nakh languages. == Vocabulary comparison ==