Tarhmert

Tarhmert is a Berber (Amazigh) language spoken in Algeria, specifically in the Mzab region. It is part of the Zenati group of Berber languages and is closely related to other languages spoken in the area, such as Ghardaia Berber. Tarhmert is spoken primarily by the Mozabite people who reside in the five fortified villages of the Mzab valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The language plays a crucial role in the cultural identity and heritage of the Mozabite community.

The vitality of Tarhmert is considered to be relatively strong compared to some other Berber languages, although it still faces challenges from the dominance of Arabic and French in Algerian society. Efforts are underway to preserve and promote the language, including the development of teaching materials and the use of Tarhmert in local media. Linguistic research on Tarhmert is ongoing, aiming to document its grammar, vocabulary, and sociolinguistic context. The language's phonetic and phonological features are distinct within the Berber language family.