Sakha

Notes

• Sakha is usually divided into two dialects, an eastern 'a' dialect and a western 'o' dialect. The 'a' and 'o' refer to whether or not rounding harmony was historically applied progressively or regressively, e.g.
  • proto-form *xatun 'woman'
  • a-Dialect: xatïn
  • o-Dialect: xotun
• The literary dialect is based on the o-Dialect as spoken in Yakutsk.
• Dolgan is a similar variety with its own literary standard. It is sometimes considered a dialect of Yakut. If so, it falls into the o-Dialect group.