According to this article, many of Russia's minority languages are endangered. This is particularly true in the North Caucasus region near Sochi where more than 40 languages are spoken. I had no idea! One of them, Ubykh, which gave Sochi its name (Sochi is Ubykh for "seaside"), is already extinct.

The languages in the Caucasus region sound quite complex:

quote:

All the Caucasian languages are highly complex in grammar and syntax, with up to 81 consonants, sounds articulated in many different parts of the mouth (the Dagestani languages use 11 parts of the mouth as opposed to the usual five), and widely varied case systems, according to McMaster University linguist John Colarusso, who has been studying them since the ’60s.

Eleven parts of the mouth, compared to five? I am trying to figure out the five parts.

The Caucasian languages also remain very unique, rather than developing similar attributes which languages from neighboring regions usually do (referred to as "areal linguistics").

It's a very interesting read, particularly with the Olympics in Sochi.

Agul is spoken in Dagestan, and it is one of the few languages to have epiglottal consonants.

Interesting thread! I found some 'epiglottal consonants' pronounced here:
voiced epiglottal fricative
b vd epiglottal plosive

quote:

I found some 'epiglottal consonants' pronounced here:voiced epiglottal fricativeb vd epiglottal plosive

Do not be concerned. I have called for Rescue for that choking man.

Great links, Bethree! It's so hard to read about the sounds; you really need to hear them.

Russia's endangered knickers: http://www.theindychannel.com/...-underwear-trade-ban

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Russia's endangered knickers: http://www.theindychannel.com/...-underwear-trade-ban

If Russia is so concerned with gays, why are men complaining that the lacy underwear is not available, too? Is cross-dressing the next subject for legislative action?

quote:

Originally posted by bethree5:
Interesting thread! I found some 'epiglottal consonants' pronounced here:
voiced epiglottal fricative

The info for this video says this sound is found in Arabic, but it isn't. I'm not convinced that the audio matches the IPA in the video.