Chechen (Нохчийн, Noxçiyn, [ˈnɔxt͡ʃĩː]) is a Northeast Caucasian language, spoken primarily by the Chechen people, native to the Russian republic of Chechnya, as well as its neighbouring republics. With approximately 1.8 million speakers, it is also spoken by members of the Chechen diaspora throughout Russia and the rest of the world.