Tamashek

Tamashek, also known as Tamajaq, is a Berber language spoken by the Tuareg people in Mali, Niger, and Algeria. It is estimated that there are 1.2 million Tamashek speakers. The Tuareg are a nomadic people who have traditionally been known as the "Blue People" because of the indigo-dyed cloth they wear. The Tuareg language is a branch of the Berber languages, which also includes the Tamashek language. The Tuareg people have their own alphabet, which is called Tifinagh. Tamashek is written in the Latin script, however, due to French colonial influence. Tamashek is a tonal language, which means that the meaning of a word can change depending on the pitch of the voice. For example, the word "ke" can mean "yes" or "no", depending on the pitch. The Tamashek language has a rich oral tradition and is known for its beautiful poetry. Tamashek is also the language of the Tuareg people's traditional music, which is called "assouf".