Evenki

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A language of China

ISO 639-3
evn
Alternate Names
Ewenk, Ewenke, Ewenki, Khamnigan, Owenke, Solon, Solong, Sulong, Suolun
User Population

11,000 in China (Salminen 2007). Ethnic population: 30,900 (2010 census). Total users in all countries: 15,800.

Location

Heilongjiang province: Nale prefecture; a few in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region; Nei Mongol Autonomous Region: Hulunbuir banners in Arong, Chen Bargu, Ergune East, Ewenki, Huisuomu, Moriadawa, Oronchon.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality: Ewenki.

Classification
Tungusic, Northern, Evenki
Dialects

Haila’er, Aoluguya (Olguya), Chenba’erhu (Old Bargu), Morigele (Mergel), Huihe (Hoy). Standard dialect is Huihe. Dialectal differences within Evenki are small and the case for regarding Evenki and Orochen as separate languages is weak (Salminen 2007).

Language Use

Other speakers in the area also use Evenki. All domains. Some young people, all adults. Very few children except among the Khamnigan. Positive attitudes. Also use Mandarin Chinese [cmn]. Written Chinese used as literary languages. Farmers use Chinese. Also use Daur [dta]. Also use Oroqen [orh]. Also use Peripheral Mongolian [mvf]. Written Mongolian used as literary language. Herdsmen use Mongolian as L2. Used as L2 by Daur [dta], Oroqen [orh].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 96%, literacy in any language (2000 census, Ewenki nationality). Radio. TV. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible portions: 1995.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Evenki
Writing

Cyrillic script [Cyrl], used since 1937, small-scale use in Russia. Latin script [Latn], used in Russia between 1931–1937, limited use in a few publications in China and on internet from 1983.

Other Comments

Traditional religion, Buddhist.

Also spoken in:

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