ABSTRACT
The Akhvakhs live in the Daghestan ASSR, the majority in the Akhvakh Region (rajon), but some also in the Sovietsky region. The Akhvakh language (ashval'i mits'ts'i) belongs to the AvaroAndi-Didoi group (Andi sub-group) of the North-East Caucasian languages. It is close to Avar. It has two dialects, a northern and a southern; the differences between them are considerable, making it almost impossible for speakers of the one to comprehend speakers of the other. Avar is used both as the common literary language and the means of verbal communication between the two groups. However, there has been a local newspaper in Akhvakh (which dialect is not known) since 1932/3. It is entitled Zaman ('Time'). It appears to still exist, though its language is now sometimes identified as 'Avar'.
