Alternate Names: Dimili, Dimli, Southern Zaza, Zaza, Zazaca
Dialects: Dersimki, Dumbuli (Dumbeli), Eastern Zazaki (Central Zazaki), Hazzu (Hazo), Kori, Motki (Moti), Sivereki. Dialects differ slightly, but mutually intelligible. A member of macrolanguage Zaza ,.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 1,500,000 (Paul 1998), decreasing. A few elderly monolinguals. Ethnic population: 3,000,000 (Paul 1998).
Language Use: In urban areas children still learn only L1 at home. Home, neighborhood, friends. All ages. Increasingly positive attitudes. 20% also use Northern Kurdish [kmr]. 80% also use Turkish [tur]. Used as L2 by Northern Kurdish [kmr].
Language Development: Poetry. Magazines. Newspapers. New media. Radio programs. Films. TV. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions.
Typology: SOV; noun head initial; numerals, demonstratives, and quantifiers precede head; 2 genders; 3 cases: nominative, oblique, vocative; content-question word position in situ; split ergative system.
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Turkey
Other Comments: Muslim (Sunni).