Chilcotin

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A language of Canada

Alternate Names
Nenqayni Ch’ih, Tsilhqút’ín, Tzilkotin
Autonym
Tŝinlhqot’in
User Population

860 (FPCC 2014). 760 semi-speakers (FPCC 2014). 100 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 4,350 (FPCC 2014).

Location

British Columbia province: west of Williams Lake. 7 reserve communities: Alexandria, Anahim, Nemiah, Redstone, Stone, Toosey, Ulkatcho.

Language Maps
Language Status

7 (Shifting). Language of recognized indigenous peoples: Alexis Creek, Tl’etinqox Government, Toosey, Xeni Gwet’in First Nations Government, Yunesit’in Government.

Typology

SOV.

Language Use

Preferred by adults. Adolescents to elderly. Most children prefer English [eng]. Grandparents pass the language to some children. Many decry the perceived loss of Chilcotin among the younger generation. A small number of English speakers (mostly missionaries) have made attempts to learn Chilcotin. The Chilcotin Language Committee oversees teaching of Chilcotin in schools and encourages language and cultural awareness activities. Shifting to English [eng]. Some also use Southern Carrier [caf].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 25%. Literacy rate in L2: 25%–50%. Taught as subject in primary schools. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 1993. Agency: Chilcotin Language Committee.

Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Christian.