Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • A Uralic language: Udmurt is a Finnic language belonging to the Uralic language family. It is spoken primarily by the Udmurt people in the Udmurt Republic, located in eastern European Russia.
   • A member of an ethnic group: Udmurt can also refer to a member of the Udmurt people, a Finno-Ugric ethnic group indigenous to the region of Udmurtia.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun (Language):
  • Udmurt uses the Cyrillic script for its writing system.
  • She is conducting research on the grammar of Udmurt.
• Proper noun (Ethnic group member):
  • He is an Udmurt who now lives in Moscow.
  • The Udmurt have a rich tradition of folklore and music.

Advanced Usage

• "Udmurt language": This phrase is often used for clarity to specify the language, though "Udmurt" alone is sufficient.
  • The preservation of the Udmurt language is a key cultural issue.

Variants and Related Words

• Udmurtia (Proper noun): The name of the republic in Russia where most Udmurt speakers live.
  • Izhevsk is the capital city of Udmurtia.
• Votyak (Proper noun, historical/alternate): An older or alternative name for the Udmurt people or language, now less commonly used.
• Finno-Ugric (Adjective): Relating to the language family that includes Udmurt, Finnish, Hungarian, and others.
  • Udmurt is a Finno-Ugric language.

Synonyms

• Votyak (for the language or people, historical context).

Notes on Meaning

The word "Udmurt" functions primarily as a proper noun. Its two core meanings are intrinsically linked: it names the language spoken by the Udmurt ethnic group. The context of the sentence usually makes it clear whether the reference is to the language or the people.

Noun

1. the Finnic language spoken by the Votyak
2. a member of the Finno-Ugric-speaking people living in eastern European Russia