A Grammar of Tamashek (Tuareg of Mali)

Chapter 1

Introduction

1.1 Tuareg and Berber linguistics

The Berber family is part of the Afro-Asiatic (or Hamito-Semitic) phylum (1).

(1) Afro-Asiatic Phylum

a. Semitic

b. Berber

c. Egyptian

d. Cushitic

e. Omotic

f. Chadic

A rough classification of Berber, based on but not identical to a 2004 on-

line Ethnologue version, is (2).

(2) Berber Languages and Locations

a. Northern Berber

Tamazight

Tachilhit

Tarifit

Chenoua

Kabyle

Shawiya (Chaouia)

Mzab-Ouargla

Nafusi

Ghadames

b. Eastern Berber

Siwi

c. Southern Berber

Tuareg (Touareg)

d. other

Zenaga

Guanche

Morocco (Middle Atlas range)

Morocco (southwest)

Morocco (Rif range in north)

Algeria (Cherchell area)

Algeria (northeast)

Algeria (Aures range)

Algeria

Libya and Tunisia

Libya (Ghadames)

Egypt (Siwa oasis in west)

Algeria, Mali, Niger (Sahara)

Mauritania

Canary Islands (extinct)