Kumandin language


The Kumandin language is a Turkic language spoken in the Altai Republic in Russia, spoken by the Kumandins, who name themselves "Kumandi-Kiji". It was formerly counted as a dialect of Altai, but it is more modernly seen as a separate language, with differing curricula from it and Chelkan, which also comprises the Northern Altai language.

Classification

Kumandin is classed in the Siberian Turkic branch of the Turkic languages. It is considered as a dialect of Northern Altai. The Kumandin subgroup of the Altai can understand Tubalar and Chelkan, aside from Kumandin.

Phonology

Consonants

Vowels

Orthography

During the Latinisation period in the Soviet Union, a Latin-based script was developed for the Kumandin language. It was used from 1932 to 1939, when teaching in Kumandin was stopped.
In recent years, the Kumandin language is being written again. The orthography below was created in 2005, when it was published for use by children.

Grammar

Pronouns

The pronouns of Kumandin are as follows:
SingularPlural
1st person
2nd person
3rd person