Name |
Dido |
Height |
5' 7 |
Naionality |
British |
Date of Birth |
25 December 1971 |
Place of Birth |
London, England, UK |
Famous for |
|
The self-designation of the Dido is tsez. In the other Caucasian languages they are known as tsunti. Both designations derive from the words denoting an eagle (in Dido tsez, in Andi tsun, in Akhvakh tsul). The name dido which is more frequently used in academic literature, has come from the Georgian language. There is no clear explanation for the self-designation. The Dido language belongs to the northwestern group of Dagestan languages (Avar-Ando-Dido), and has a high degree of inner differentiation (five dialects: the Kidero, Shaitl, Asakh, Shapikh and Sagada). The Sagada dialect is notable for its difference from the others. There is no written language, and instead the Avar language is used. The Avar language operates also as a lingua franca, with Dido mainly confined to domestic use. The first printed materials dealing with the Dido language date back to the 18th--19th century (P. S. Pallas, I. A. Gyldenstedt, I. von Klaproth). More serious research work was carried out at the beginning of the 20th century, becoming particularly intensive during the 1920s and 1930s (A. Dirr, E. Bokarev, D. Imnaishvili).