The Tsezic languages (also called Didoic languages) form one of the seven main branches of the Northeast Caucasian language family. It branches into Tsez–Hinukh and Bezhta–Hunzib–Khwarshi, according to research published in 2009.The Languages of the Caucasus, by Wolfgang Schulze (2009) They were formerly classified geographically into East Tsezic (Hinukh and Bezhta) and West Tsezic (Tsez, Khwarshi and Hunzib). The Avar language serves as the literary language for speakers of Tsezic languages.
Internal branching Schulze (2009) gives the following family tree for the Tsezic languages:
Tsezic languages Tsez–Hinukh Tsez (15,400) Hinukh (550) Bezhta–Hunzib–Khwarshi Bezhta (6200) Hunzib (1840) Khwarshi (1870)
Figures retrieved from Ethnologue.Ethnologue
Kassian and Testelets (2015) do not consider Tsez and Hinukh to form a distinct subgroup.Алексей Касьян, Яков Тестелец. Филогения цезской языковой группы: лексикостатистика и грамматические инновации. X традиционные чтения памяти С. А. Старостина, РГГУ, Москва, 27 марта 2015 г.
References
See also Languages of the Caucasus