Aqusha dialect


Aqusha is a dialect of North Dargwa spoken by over 42,000 Dargins. It is the basis for the literary Dargwa language, along with Urakhi, as was developed in the 1930s. Speakers of Aqusha number the most among Dargwa linguistic groups.

Geographical distribution

Aqusha is most commonly found in the Akushinsky and Levashinsky Districts. There is a significant diaspora of Aqusha speakers in southern European Russia.

Dialects

Aqusha is divided into 2 dialects, Aqusha and Levashi. According to, the differences in the Aqusha dialect are hardly noticeable and insignificant.

Phonology

Aqusha, and dialects of its type, lack the fortis and lenis contrast that is found in dialects of the Tsudaqar type. Vowel length and labialization are also absent. Glottalized and occur, and the case indicator is lost after prefixes.

Comparison with standard Dargwa