Editing Circassian languages

{{Short description|Subdivision of the Northwest Caucasian language family}}
{{Infobox language family
|name        = Circassian
|altname     = Cherkess
|ethnicity   = [[Circassians]], [[Cherkesogai]]
|region      = [[North Caucasus]]
|familycolor = Caucasian
|protoname   = [[Proto-Circassian language|Proto-Circassian]]
|child1      = [[Adyghe language|Adyghe]]
|child2      = [[Kabardian language|Kabardian]]
|glotto      = circ1239
|glottorefname=Circassian
|map         = Caucasic languages.svg
|mapcaption  = {{legend|#D9196D|Circassian}}
|fam1=[[Northwest Caucasian languages|Northwest Caucasian]]}}

'''Circassian'''{{Efn|({{IPAc-en|s|ɜːr|ˈ|k|æ|ʃ|ən}})}} ({{Langx|ady|Адыгабзэ}}; {{Langx|kbd|Адыгэбзэ}}), also known as '''Cherkess''' ({{IPAc-en|tʃ|ɜːr|ˈ|k|ɛ|s}} {{respelling|chur|KESS}}), is a subdivision of the [[Northwest Caucasian languages|Northwest Caucasian]] language family, spoken by the [[Circassians|Circassian people]]. There are two main variants of the Circassian language, defined by their literary standards, [[Adyghe language|Adyghe]] ({{lang|ady|кӀахыбзэ}}; also known as West Circassian) and [[Kabardian language|Kabardian]] ({{lang|kbd|къэбэрдейбзэ}}; also known as East Circassian). The languages are highly [[Mutual intelligibility|mutually intelligible]] with one another, but differ to a degree where they would be considered clear-cut dialects. The earliest extant written records of the Circassian language are in the [[Arabic script]], recorded by the Turkish traveller [[Evliya Çelebi]] in the 17th century,<ref name="refMuratpapşualfabe">Papşu, Murat (2006)."[http://www.circassianworld.com/TR/Adige_Yazisi.pdf Çerkes-Adığe yazısının tarihçesi] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214161014/http://www.circassianworld.com/TR/Adige_Yazisi.pdf |date=December 14, 2013 }}". ''Nart, İki Aylık Düşün ve Kültür Dergisi'', Sayı 51, Eylül-Ekim 2006. {{in lang|tr}}</ref> although the [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] and [[Georgian scripts|Georgian]] alphabets were adapted for them in ancient and medieval times.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://circassianweb.com/page/33|title=The Circassian Alphabet|website=circassianweb.com|publisher=Circassian Family Tree|access-date=24 March 2024}}</ref>

There is consensus among the linguistic community about the fact that Adyghe and Kabardian are typologically distinct languages.<ref name="Kuipers">{{cite book|last1=Kuipers|first1=Aert H.|title=Phoneme and morpheme in Kabardian (eastern Adyghe)|date=1960|publisher=Mouton & Co.|location=The Hague|page=7|ref=Kuipers}}</ref><ref name="Smeets">{{cite book|last1=Smeets|first1=Henricus Joannes|title=Studies in West Circassian phonology and morphology|date=1984|publisher=The Hakuchi Press|location=Leiden|isbn=90-71176-01-0|page=41|ref=Smeets}}</ref><ref name="Hewitt05">{{cite journal|last1=Hewitt|first1=George|title=North West Caucasian|journal=Lingua|date=2005|volume=115|issue=1–2|page=17|doi=10.1016/j.lingua.2003.06.003|url=https://zenodo.org/record/968232|access-date=16 April 2017|ref=Hewitt05}}</ref> However, the local terms for these languages refer to them as dialects. The Circassian people call themselves {{lang|mis|адыгэ}} <!-- Kabardian and Adyghe --> ({{Transliteration|mis|adyge}}; English: Adyghe) in their native language. In the southwestern part of European Russia, there is also a [[Federal Subject]] called [[Adygea]] ({{langx|ru|Адыгея}}, {{Transliteration|ru|Adygeya}}), enclaved within [[Krasnodar Krai]], which is named after the Circassian [[endonym]]. In the [[Russian language]], the Circassian subdivision is treated as a group of languages and called {{lang|ru|адыгские}} ({{Transliteration|ru|adygskie}}, meaning the Adyghe languages), whereas the Adyghe language is called {{lang|ru|адыгейский}} ({{Transliteration|ru|adygeyskiy}}, meaning the language of those in [the Republic of] Adygea). The terms ''Circassian'' and ''Cherkess'' are sometimes used in several languages as synonyms for the [[Northwest Caucasian languages]] in general or the Adyghe language in particular.

==Circassian languages==
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Circassia throughout XV-XIX centuries.jpg|250px|thumb|[[Circassia]] throughout XV-XIX centuries. '''I:''' Borders of [[Circassia]] in XV-XVI centuries. '''II:''' Borders of [[Circassia]] in 1763-1797. '''III:''' Borders of [[Circassia]] in 1830.]] -->
{{cladogram
| cladogram = {{clade
  | label1 = Proto-Circassian
  | 1 =
    {{clade
    | label1 = East Circassian
    | 1 =
      {{clade
      | 1 = [[Kabardian language|Kabardian]]
      | 2 = [[Besleney Kabardian dialect|Besleney]]
      }}
    | label2 = West Circassian (Adyghe)
    | 2 =
      {{clade
      | label1 = Kuban river
      | 1 =
        {{clade
        | 1 = [[Temirgoy]]
        | 2 = [[Abzakh dialect|Abzakh]]
        | 3 = [[Bzhedugh dialect|Bzhedugh]]
        }}
      | label2 = Black Sea coast
      | 2 =
        {{clade
        | 1 = [[Shapsug Adyghe dialect|Shapsug]]
        | 2 = [[Natukhai#Language|Natkhuaja]]
        }}
      }}
    }}
  }}
  | caption = A Circassian dialects family tree.
}}
[[File:WIKITONGUES- Yinal speaking Adyghe and Kabardian.webm|thumb|Yinal speaking Adyghe and Kabardian]]

{{tree list}}
*'''Circassian languages'''
**[[Adyghe language]]
***The Black Sea coast dialects
****[[Zhaney]] dialect
****[[Natukhai#Language|Natukhai dialect]] ({{langx|ady|Нэтӏхъуаджэбзэ}}; {{Transliteration|ady|Netʼx́uajebze}})
****[[Shapsug Adyghe dialect|Shapsug dialect]] ({{langx|ady|Шапсыгъабзэ}}; {{Transliteration|ady|Shapsyǵabze}})
*****North Shapsugs, Great Shapsugs, Kuban Shapsugs dialect ({{langx|ady|Шапсыгъэ шху}}; {{Transliteration|ady|Shapsyǵ shyxu}})
*****Temirgoy-Shapsugs, Pseuşko accent ({{langx|ady|Кӏэмгуе-шапсыгъ}}; {{Transliteration|ady|Chʼemgueý-shapsyǵ}})
*****South Shapsugs, Small Shapsugs, Coastal Shapsugs Black Sea Shapsugs ({{langx|ady|Шапсыгъэ-цӏыкӏу}}; {{Transliteration|ady|Shapsyǵe-tsʼykʼu}}) dialect.
*****[[Kfar Kama Adyghe dialect|Kfar Kama dialect]] ({{langx|ady|Кфар Камэм ишапсыгъэбзэ}}; {{Transliteration|ady|Kfar Kamem ishapsyǵebze}}): Shapsug dialect spoken by the villagers of [[Kfar Kama]] in [[Israel]].
*****[[Hakuchi Adyghe dialect|Hakuchi dialect]] ({{langx|ady|ХьакӀуцубзэ, Къарацхаибзэ}}; {{Transliteration|ady|Hakʼutsubze, Qaratsxaibze}})
***The Kuban river dialects
****[[Bzhedug Adyghe dialect|Bzhedug dialect]] ({{langx|ady|Бжъэдыгъубзэ}}; {{Transliteration|ady|Bɀedyǵubze}}) : Spoken by the Circassians in [[Republic of Adygea]] and [[Biga, Çanakkale|Biga]].
****[[Temirgoy]] ({{langx|ady|КӀэмыгуябзэ, КӀэмгуибзэ}}; {{Transliteration|ady|Chʼemıguıyabze, Chʼemguibze}}) : Literary Adyghe. Also spoken by the Circassians in [[Republic of Adygea]].
****[[Abzakh Adyghe dialect|Abzakh dialect]] ({{langx|ady|Aбдзэхабзэ}}; {{Transliteration|ady|Abźaxabze}}) : Spoken by the Circassians in [[Rehaniya]] in [[Israel]] and the Circassians in Syria from Golan Heights.
****[[Mamkhegh]] dialect
****[[Yegeruqway]] dialect
****[[Hatuqwai]] dialect
****[[Makhosh]] dialect
**[[Kabardian language]]<ref name="Kuipers" />
***Kabardian
****West Kabardian
*****Kuban
*****Kuban-Zelenchuk ([[Cherkes]]s)
**** Central Kabardian
*****Baksan (Basis for the literary language)
*****Malka
**** Eastern Kabardian
*****Terek
*****Mozdok
**** North Kabardian
*****Mulka
*****Zabardiqa (1925 until 1991 ''Soviet Zaparika'')
*** [[Besleney Kabardian dialect|Baslaney dialect]] ({{langx|ady|Бэслъыныйбзэ}}; {{Transliteration|ady|Besłınıýbze}})
{{tree list/end}}

==Alphabets==

* [[Adyghe language]] (also known as '''West Circassian''', {{langx|ady|КӀахыбзэ}}; {{Transliteration|ady|Kʼaxıbzə}}, {{langx|ru|Адыгейский язык}}) — The language of the west Circassian tribes: [[Shapsug]], [[Abzakh]], [[Natukhai people|Natukhai]], [[Bzhedug]], [[Temirgoy]]. The Alphabet is based on the [[Temirgoy]] dialect. The Circassian alphabet was created in 1918 by the Kabardian linguist [[Naguma Shora]].

{| class="wikitable"
|+Adyghe alphabet
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | А а <br/> {{IPAblink|aː}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Б б <br/> {{IPAblink|b}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | В в <br/> {{IPAblink|v}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Г г <br/> {{IPAblink|ɣ}} or {{IPAblink|ɡ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Гу гу <br/> {{IPAblink|ʷ|ɡʷ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Гъ гъ <br/> {{IPAblink|ʁ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Гъу гъу <br/> {{IPAblink|ʷ|ʁʷ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Д д <br/> {{IPAblink|d}}
|-
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Дж дж <br/> {{IPAblink|d͡ʒ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Дз дз <br/> {{IPAblink|d͡z}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Дзу дзу <br/> {{IPAblink|ʷ|d͡zʷ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Е е <br/> [ja/aj]
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Ё ё <br/> [jo]
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Ж ж <br/> {{IPAblink|ʒ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Жъ жъ <br/> {{IPAblink|ʐ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Жъу жъу <br/> {{IPAblink|ʷ|ʒʷ}} or {{IPAblink|ʷ|ʐʷ}}
|-
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Жь жь <br/> {{IPAblink|ʑ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | З з <br/> {{IPAblink|z}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | И и <br/> [jə/əj]
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Й й <br/> {{IPAblink|j}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | К к <br/> {{IPAblink|k}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Ку ку <br/> {{IPAblink|ʷ|kʷ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Къ къ <br/> {{IPAblink|q}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Къу къу <br/> {{IPAblink|ʷ|qʷ}}
|-
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Кӏ кӏ <br/> {{IPAblink|t͡ʃʼ|t͡ʃʼ/kʼ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Кӏу кӏу <br/> {{IPAblink|ʷ|kʷʼ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Л л <br/> {{IPAblink|ɮ}} or {{IPAblink|l}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Лъ лъ <br/> {{IPAblink|ɬ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Лӏ лӏ <br/> {{IPAblink|ɬʼ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | М м <br/> {{IPAblink|m}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Н н <br/> {{IPAblink|n}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | О о <br/> [aw/wa]
|-
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | П п <br/> {{IPAblink|p}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Пӏ пӏ <br/> {{IPAblink|pʼ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Пӏу пӏу <br/> {{IPAblink|ʷ|pʷʼ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Р р <br/> {{IPAblink|r}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | С с <br/> {{IPAblink|s}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Т т <br/> {{IPAblink|t}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Тӏ тӏ <br/> {{IPAblink|tʼ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Тӏу тӏу <br/> {{IPAblink|ʷ|tʷʼ}}
|-
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | У у <br/> {{IPAblink|w|w/əw}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Ф ф <br/> {{IPAblink|f}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Х х <br/> {{IPAblink|x}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Ху ху <br/> {{IPAblink|ʷ|xʷ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Хъ хъ <br/> {{IPAblink|χ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Хъу хъу <br/> {{IPAblink|ʷ|χʷ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Хь хь <br/> {{IPAblink|ħ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Ц ц <br/> {{IPAblink|t͡s}}
|-
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Цу цу <br/> {{IPAblink|ʷ|t͡sʷ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Цӏ цӏ <br/> {{IPAblink|t͡sʼ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Ч ч <br/> {{IPAblink|t͡ʃ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Чӏ чӏ <br/> {{IPAblink|t͡ʂʼ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Чъ чъ <br/> {{IPAblink|t͡ʂ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Ш ш <br/> {{IPAblink|ʃ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Шъ шъ <br/> {{IPAblink|ʂ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Шъу шъу <br/> {{IPAblink|ʷ|ʃʷ}} or {{IPAblink|ʷ|ʂʷ}}
|-
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Шӏ шӏ <br/> {{IPAblink|ʃʼ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Шӏу шӏу <br/> {{IPAblink|ʷ|ʃʷʼ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Щ щ <br/> {{IPAblink|ɕ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Ъ ъ <br/> {{IPAblink|ˠ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Ы ы <br/> {{IPAblink|ə}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Ь ь <br/> {{IPAblink|ʲ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Э э <br/> {{IPAblink|a}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Ю ю <br/> [ju]
|-
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Я я <br/> [jaː]
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | ӏ <br/> {{IPAblink|ʔ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | ӏу <br/> {{IPAblink|ʷ|ʔʷ}}
|}

* [[Kabardian language]] (also known as '''East Circassian''', {{langx|ady|Къэбэрдейбзэ}}; {{Transliteration|ady|Qeberdeýbze}}, {{langx|ru|Кабардино-черкесский}}) — The language of the east Circassian tribes : [[Kabarday]] and [[Baslaney]]. The Alphabet is based on the [[Kabardian language|Kabardian]] dialect.

{| class="wikitable"
|+Kabardian alphabet
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | А а <br/> {{IPAblink|aː}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Э э <br/> {{IPAblink|a}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Б б <br/> {{IPAblink|b}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | В в <br/> {{IPAblink|v}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Г г <br/> {{IPAblink|ɣ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Гу гу <br/> {{IPAblink|ʷ|ɡʷ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Гъ гъ <br/> {{IPAblink|ʁ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Гъу гъу <br/> {{IPAblink|ʷ|ʁʷ}}
|-
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Д д <br/> {{IPAblink|d}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Дж дж <br/> {{IPAblink|d͡ʒ}} or {{IPAblink|ɡ|ɡʲ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Дз дз <br/> {{IPAblink|d͡z}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Е е <br/> [ja/aj]
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Ё ё <br/> [jo]
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Ж ж <br/> {{IPAblink|ʒ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Жь жь <br/> {{IPAblink|ʑ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | З з <br/> {{IPAblink|z}}
|-
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | И и <br/> [jə/əj]
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Й й <br/> {{IPAblink|j}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | К к <br/> {{IPAblink|k}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Ку ку <br/> {{IPAblink|ʷ|kʷ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Къ къ <br/> {{IPAblink|q}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Къу къу <br/> {{IPAblink|ʷ|qʷ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Кхъ кхъ <br/> {{IPAblink|q͡χ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Кхъу кхъу <br/> {{IPAblink|ʷ|q͡χʷ}}
|-
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Кӏ кӏ <br/> {{IPAblink|t͡ʃʼ|t͡ʃʼ}} or {{IPAblink|k|kʲʼ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Кӏу кӏу <br/> {{IPAblink|ʷ|kʷʼ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Л л <br/> {{IPAblink|ɮ}} or {{IPAblink|l}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Лъ лъ <br/> {{IPAblink|ɬ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Лӏ лӏ <br/> {{IPAblink|ɬʼ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | М м <br/> {{IPAblink|m}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Н н <br/> {{IPAblink|n}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | О о <br/> [aw/wa]
|-
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | П п <br/> {{IPAblink|p}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Пӏ пӏ <br/> {{IPAblink|pʼ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Р р <br/> {{IPAblink|r}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | С с <br/> {{IPAblink|s}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Т т <br/> {{IPAblink|t}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Тӏ тӏ <br/> {{IPAblink|tʼ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | У у <br/> {{IPAblink|w|w/əw}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Ф ф <br/> {{IPAblink|f}}
|-
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Фӏ фӏ <br/> {{IPAblink|fʼ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Х х <br/> {{IPAblink|x}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Ху ху <br/> {{IPAblink|ʷ|xʷ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Хъ хъ <br/> {{IPAblink|χ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Хъу хъу <br/> {{IPAblink|ʷ|χʷ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Хь хь <br/> {{IPAblink|ħ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Ц ц <br/> {{IPAblink|t͡s}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Цӏ цӏ <br/> {{IPAblink|t͡sʼ}}
|-
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Ч ч <br/> {{IPAblink|t͡ʃ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Ш ш <br/> {{IPAblink|ʃ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Щ щ <br/> {{IPAblink|ɕ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Щӏ щӏ <br/> {{IPAblink|ɕʼ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Ъ ъ <br/> {{IPAblink|ˠ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Ы ы <br/> {{IPAblink|ə}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Ь ь <br/> {{IPAblink|ʲ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Ю ю <br/> [ju]
|-
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Я я <br/> [jaː]
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | ӏ <br/> {{IPAblink|ʔ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | ӏу <br/> {{IPAblink|ʷ|ʔʷ}}
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+Dialectal letters
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Гь гь <br/> {{IPAblink|ɡ|ɡʲ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Кь кь <br/> {{IPAblink|k|kʲ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Кӏь кӏь <br/> {{IPAblink|kʼ|kʲʼ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Сӏ сӏ <br/> {{IPAblink|sʼ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | Чу чу <br/> {{IPAblink|ʷ|t͡ʃʷ}}
| style="width:5em; text-align:center; padding: 3px;" | ӏь <br/> {{IPAblink|ʲ|ʔʲ}}
|}

== Sound changes ==
[[File:CircassianDialectsDifferencesEnglish3.jpg|250px|thumb|The major differences in the Circassian dialects]]
{{See also|Proto-Circassian language}}
Sound changes between Adyghe (Temirgoy) and Kabardian:<ref>[https://www.academia.edu/27977779/%C3%87ERKES_D%C4%B0YALEKTLER%C4%B0 Aydın, Şamil Emre (2015), Çerkes Diyalektleri], {{ISBN|9786056569111}}</ref>
*Adyghe '''a ↔ э''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|адыгабзэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|aдыгэбзэ}}'' (Adyghe); ''{{lang|ady|бае}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|бей}}'' (rich); ''{{lang|ady|аслъан}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|аслъэн}}'' (lion); ''{{lang|ady|къэплъан}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|къаплъэн}}'' (tiger); ''{{lang|ady|дунай}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|дуней}}'' (world); ''{{lang|ady|тхьакӀумэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|тхьэкӀумэ}}'' (ear); ''{{lang|ady|хьарыф}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|хьэрф}}'' (letter); ''{{lang|ady|тхьаркъо}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|тхьэрыкъуэ}}'' (pigeon); ''{{lang|ady|Ӏае}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|Ӏей}}'' (ugly); ''{{lang|ady|хьамлыу}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|хьэмбылу}}'' (worm); ''{{lang|ady|хьау}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|хьэуэ}}'' (no)
*Adyghe '''ы ↔ э''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|ны}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|анэ}}'' (mother)
*Adyghe '''э ↔ ы''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|хъэдэн}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|хъыдан}}'' (lilac)
*Adyghe '''а ↔ ы''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|Ӏахьыл}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|Ӏыхьлы}}'' (cloth)
*Adyghe '''и ↔ ы''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|мэлэӀич}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|мэлэӀыч}}'' (angel)
*Adyghe '''ы ↔ и''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|сабый}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|сабий}}'' (child)
*Adyghe '''ы ↔ е''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|жъэжъый}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|жьэжьей}}'' (kidney); ''{{lang|ady|дэжъый}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|дэжьей}}'' (hazelnut)
*Adyghe '''ц ↔ дз''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|цэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|дзэ}}'' (tooth); ''{{lang|ady|цыгъо}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|дзыгъуэ}}'' (mouse); ''{{lang|ady|пцэжъый}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|бдзэжьей}}'' (fish); ''{{lang|ady|уцы}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|удзы}}'' (grass)
*Adyghe '''цу ↔ в''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|цу}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|вы}}'' (ox); ''{{lang|ady|цуакъэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|вакъэ}}'' (shoe); ''{{lang|ady|цунды}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|вынд}}'' (raven); ''{{lang|ady|цунды}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|вынд}}'' (raven); ''{{lang|ady|цуабзэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|вабдзэ}}'' (ploughshare)
*Adyghe '''ч ↔ ж''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|чэмы}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|жэм}}'' (cow); ''{{lang|ady|чъыгы}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|жыг}}'' (tree); ''{{lang|ady|чэщы}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|жэщ}}'' (night); ''{{lang|ady|чылэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|жылэ}}'' (village, settlement); ''{{lang|ady|пчъын}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|бжын}}'' (to count); ''{{lang|ady|чъэн}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|жэн}}'' (to run)
*Adyghe '''ч ↔ дж''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|чэтыу}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|джэду}}'' (cat); ''{{lang|ady|чэты}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|джэд}}'' (chicken); ''{{lang|ady|апч}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|абдж}}'' (glass)
*Adyghe '''ч ↔ щ''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|пачъыхь}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|пащтыхь}}'' (king); ''{{lang|ady|гъучӏы}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|гъущӏ}}'' (iron); ''{{lang|ady|упчӏэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|упщӏэ}}'' (question); ''{{lang|ady|чыӏу}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|щӏыӏу}}'' (button); ''{{lang|ady|чъыӏэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|щӏыӏэ}}'' (cold); ''{{lang|ady|пчэдыжьы}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|пщэдджыжь}}'' (morning)
*Adyghe '''дз ↔ з''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|хъырбыдз}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|хъарбыз}}'' (watermelon)
*Adyghe '''дж ↔ ж''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|баджэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|бажэ}}'' (fox); ''{{lang|ady|лъэмыдж}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|лъэмыж}}'' (arch, bridge); ''{{lang|ady|аджал}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|ажал}}'' (death); ''{{lang|ady|хьаджыгъэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|хьэжыгъэ}}'' (flour); ''{{lang|ady|лъэгуанджэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|лъэгуажьэ}}'' (knee); ''{{lang|ady|къуаджэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|къуажэ}}'' (village)
*Adyghe '''жь ↔ з''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|ежь}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|езы}}'' (him, itself)
*Adyghe '''жъ ↔ жь''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|жъы}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|жьы}}'' (old); ''{{lang|ady|бжъэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|бжьэ}}'' (bowl, horn, slander); ''{{lang|ady|жъэн}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|жьэн}}'' (to fry, to grill)
*Adyghe '''ж ↔ жь''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|бжыхьэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|бжьыхьэ}}'' (autumn); ''{{lang|ady|жакӀэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|жьакӀэ}}'' (beard); ''{{lang|ady|бжыдзэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|бжьыдзэ}}'' (flea); ''{{lang|ady|жэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|жьэ}}'' (mouth)
*Adyghe '''жъу ↔ в''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|жъуагъо}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|вагъо}}'' (star); ''{{lang|ady|зэжъу}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|зэвы}}'' (narrow); ''{{lang|ady|ӏужъу}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|ӏувы}}'' (wide); ''{{lang|ady|гъэжъон}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|гъэвэн}}'' (to boil)
*Adyghe '''ш ↔ щ''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|нашэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|нащэ}}'' (melon)
*Adyghe '''щ ↔ ш''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|щэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|шэ}}'' (milk); ''{{lang|ady|щай}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|шай}}'' (tea); ''{{lang|ady|щыгъу}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|шыгъу}}'' (salt); ''{{lang|ady|ахъщэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|ахъшэ}}'' (fund, money); ''{{lang|ady|щэбзащ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|шабзэ}}'' (arrow); ''{{lang|ady|щыды}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|шыд}}'' (donkey); ''{{lang|ady|щынагъо}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|шынагъуэ}}'' (fear); ''{{lang|ady|щыбжьый}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|шыбжий}}'' (black pepper); ''{{lang|ady|щэджагъо}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|шэджагъуэ}}'' (noon)
*Adyghe '''шъ ↔ щ''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|шъабэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|щабэ}}''; ''{{lang|ady|шъхьэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|щхьэ}}'' (head); ''{{lang|ady|шъынэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|щынэ}}'' (lamp); ''{{lang|ady|дышъэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|дыщэ}}'' (gold); ''{{lang|ady|пшъашъэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|пщащэ}}'' (girl); ''{{lang|ady|мышъэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|мыщэ}}'' (bear); ''{{lang|ady|псэушъхь}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|псэущхьэ}}'' (animal); ''{{lang|ady|шъэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|ща}}'' (100)
*Adyghe '''шӀ ↔ щӀ''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|шӀын}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|щӀын}}'' (to do); ''{{lang|ady|шӀэн}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|щӀэн}}'' (to know); ''{{lang|ady|гъашӀэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|гъащӀэ}}'' (life); ''{{lang|ady|пшӀы}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|пщӀы}}'' (ten)  
*Adyghe '''кӀ ↔ щӀ''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|кӀэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|щӀэ}}'' (new); ''{{lang|ady|кӀалэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|щӀалэ}}'' (young-man); ''{{lang|ady|мэгыкӀэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|мэгыщӀэ}}'' (to launder, to wash); ''{{lang|ady|тӀэкӀын}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|тӀэщӀын}}'' (to go off on); ''{{lang|ady|икӀыӀу}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|ищӀыӀу}}'' (above); ''{{lang|ady|макӀэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|мащӀэ}}'' (few); ''{{lang|ady|хьакӀэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|хьэщӀэ}}'' (guest); ''{{lang|ady|ӀункӀыбзэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|ӀунщӀыбз}}'' (key)
*Adyghe '''шъу ↔ ф''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|шъоу}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|фо}}'' (honey); ''{{lang|ady|шъуз}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|фыз}}'' (wife); ''{{lang|ady|ешъон}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|ефэн}}'' (to drink); ''{{lang|ady|уашъо}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|уафэ}}'' (sky); ''{{lang|ady|уцышъо}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|удзыфэ}}'' (green); ''{{lang|ady|къашъо}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|къафэ}}'' (dance); ''{{lang|ady|шъо}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|фэ}}'' (color, skin, you (plural)); ''{{lang|ady|шъо}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|фэ}}'' (color, skin, you (plural)); ''{{lang|ady|нэшъу}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|нэф}}'' (blind)
*Adyghe '''шӀу ↔ фӀ''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|шӀу}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|фӀы}}'' (well, good); ''{{lang|ady|машӀо}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|мафӀэ}}'' (fire); ''{{lang|ady|шӀуцӀэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|фӀыцӀэ}}'' (black); ''{{lang|ady|шӀомыкӀы}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|фӀамыщӀ}}'' (coal); ''{{lang|ady|ошӀу}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|уэфӀ}}'' (weather); ''{{lang|ady|ӏэшӀу}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|ӏэфӀ}}'' (sweet); ''{{lang|ady|шӀошӏын}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|фӀэщын}}'' (sweet)
*Adyghe '''ф ↔ ху''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|фыжьы}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|хужьы}}'' (white); ''{{lang|ady|Ӏофы}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|Ӏуэху}}'' (work, job); ''{{lang|ady|мафэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|махуэ}}'' (day); ''{{lang|ady|гъэмафэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|гъэмахуэ}}'' (summer); ''{{lang|ady|цӀыфы}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|цӀыху}}'' (person); ''{{lang|ady|фабэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|хуабэ}}'' (hot); ''{{lang|ady|фае}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|хуей}}'' (want, need); ''{{lang|ady|фэд}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|хуэд}}'' (like); ''{{lang|ady|нэфы}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|нэху}}'' (light); ''{{lang|ady|нартыф}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|нартыху}}'' (maize); ''{{lang|ady|фэгъэгъун}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|хуэгъэгъун}}'' (to forgive); ''{{lang|ady|фэгъэгъун}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|хуэгъэгъун}}'' (to forgive); ''{{lang|ady|бжьыныф}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|бжьыныху}}'' (garlic); ''{{lang|ady|бзылъфыгъэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|бзылъхугъэ}}'' (woman)
*Adyghe '''хь ↔ хъ''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|нахь}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|нэхъ}}'' (more); ''{{lang|ady|шынахьыкӏ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|шынэхъыщӏ}}'' (younger brother); ''{{lang|ady|шынахьыжъ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|шынэхъыжь}}'' (older brother)
*Adyghe '''къ ↔ кхъ''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|къэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|кхъэ}}'' (grave)
*Adyghe '''къу ↔ кхъу''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|къуае}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|кхъуей}}'' (cheese); ''{{lang|ady|къужъы}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|кхъужь}}'' (pear); ''{{lang|ady|къухьэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|кхъухь}}'' (ship)
*Adyghe '''т ↔ д''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|тэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|дэ}}'' (we); ''{{lang|ady|тамэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|дамэ}}'' (shoulder); ''{{lang|ady|тамыгь}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|дамыгъэ}}'' (stamp, letter); ''{{lang|ady|тыгъужъы}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|дыгъужь}}'' (wolf); ''{{lang|ady|тыгъуас}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|дыгъуасэ}}'' (yesterday); ''{{lang|ady|ты}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|адэ}}'' (father); ''{{lang|ady|тыжьыны}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|дыжьын}}'' (silver); ''{{lang|ady|такъикъ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|дакъикъэ}}'' (minute); ''{{lang|ady|атакъэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|адакъэ}}'' (rooster, cock); ''{{lang|ady|хатэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|хадэ}}'' (garden); ''{{lang|ady|псычэт}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|псыджэд}}'' (duck); ''{{lang|ady|тхьаматэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|тхьэмадэ}}'' (leader, boss)
*Adyghe '''п ↔ б''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|панэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|банэ}}'' (thorn); ''{{lang|ady|пытэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|быдэ}}'' (hard); ''{{lang|ady|пчэны}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|бжэн}}'' (goat); ''{{lang|ady|пыи}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|бий}}'' (enemy); ''{{lang|ady|непэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|нобэ}}'' (today); ''{{lang|ady|пчъын}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|бжын}}'' (to count)
*Adyghe '''м ↔ н''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|мамун}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|номин}}'' (monkey)
*Adyghe '''н ↔ Ø''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|гъунджэ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|гъуджэ}}'' (mirror)
*Adyghe '''-Ø ↔ -р''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|Ӏехы}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|Ӏехыр}}''; ''{{lang|ady|сӀехы}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|сӀехыр}}''; ''{{lang|ady|тӀехы}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|тӀехыр}}'' 
*Adyghe '''-Ø ↔ -щ''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|тӀыгъ}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|тӀыгъщ}}'' 
*Adyghe '''Ø- ↔ и-''' Kabardian: ''{{lang|ady|джыри}} ↔ {{lang|kbd|иджыри}}'' (yet)

== Ergative–absolutive ==
In the following example, we demonstrate an ergative–absolutive case marking system while using the same verb "break" in both intransitive and transitive forms:
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="7" align="center" | Ergative language
|-
! Sentence:
| colspan="2" | ''ӏанэр мэкъутэ.''
|     
| colspan="3" | ''Лӏым ӏанэр екъутэ.''
|-
! Word:
| ӏанэ<span style="color:#008000">'''-р'''</span>
| мэкъутэ
|     
| Лӏы<span style="color:#800000">'''м'''</span>
| ӏанэ<span style="color:#008000">'''р'''</span>
| екъутэ
|-
! Gloss:
| The table<span style="color:#008000">'''-<small>ABS</small>'''</span>
| breaks
|     
| The man<span style="color:#800000">'''-<small>ERG</small>'''</span>
| the table<span style="color:#008000">'''-<small>ABS</small>'''</span>
| breaks
|-
! Function:
| <span style="color:#008000">'''S'''</span>
| VERB<sub>intrans</sub>
|     
| <span style="color:#800000">'''A'''</span>
| <span style="color:#008000">'''O'''</span>
| VERB<sub>trans</sub>
|-
! Translation:
| colspan="2" | "The table breaks."
|     
| colspan="3" | "The man breaks the table."
|}
Here, "table" has the absolutive case mark -р /-r/ while "man" has the ergative case mark -м /-m/. We also have the verb "break" in intransitive form "мэкъутэ" and transitive form "екъутэ". In the example above, we specifically used SOV order, but Circassian allows any order.

== Loanwords ==
Circassian languages contain "many loan-words from [[Arabic language|Arabic]], [[Turkish language|Turkish]], [[Persian language|Persian]] (particularly in the area of religion) and [[Russian language|Russian]]".{{sfn|Reza|Hirtenstein|Gholami|2021}}

==See also==
{{wikivoyage|Circassian phrasebook}}
* [[Circassia]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
==Sources==
* {{Encyclopaedia Islamica|last1= Reza | first1= Enayotallah|last2=Hirtenstein|first2=Stephen|last3=Gholami|first3=Rahim|title=Cherkess (Circassian)|year=2021|url=https://doi.org/10.1163/1875-9831_isla_COM_05000081}}

==Literature==
{{refbegin}}
* [https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.b3917316;view=1up;seq=225 A Dictionary of the Circassian Language, in Two Parts]. By Dr. [[Louis Loewe|L. Loewe]].
* Кумахов М. А. Адыгские языки // Языки мира. Кавказские языки. М., 1999. (in Russian)
{{refend}}
{{Northwest Caucasian languages}}
{{Languages of the Caucasus}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Northwest Caucasian languages]]
[[Category:Circassian culture]]