Karata (кӏкӏирлӏи) is an Andic language of the Northeast Caucasian language family spoken in southern Dagestan, Russia by 9,549 Karata in 2020. There are ten towns in which the language is traditionally spoken: Karata, Anchix, Tukita, Rachabalda, Lower Inxelo, Mashtada, Archo, Chabakovo, Racitl, and formerly Siux. Speakers use Avar as their literary language.

Dialects

The language has two dialects, Karata and Tukita, which slightly differ in phonetics and morphology but are mutually intelligible. Tukita is sometimes considered a separate language, on the basis of lexicostatistics. There are also four subdialects; Anchikh, Archi, Ratsitl and Rachabalda, named after their respective villages.

Phonology

Consonants

Karata has 45 consonants.

Vowels

Karata has 18 vowels.