Gitxsan

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A language of Canada

ISO 639-3
git
Alternate Names
Giklsan, Gitksan, Gitxsen, Gityskyan, Hazelton, Nass-Gitksan
Autonym
Gitsenimx
User Population

350 (FPCC 2014). 490 semi-speakers (FPCC 2014). Ethnic population: 7,600 (FPCC 2014).

Location

West central British Columbia, Gitxsan, middle Skeena river.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened). Language of recognized indigenous peoples: Gitanmaax, Gitanyow, Gitsegukla, Gitwangak, Glen Vowell, Kispiox, Lax Kw’alaams, Takla Lake.

Classification
Tsimshian, Nass-Gitksan
Dialects

Gitxsan (Eastern Gitxsan), Gitsken (Western Gitsken). High comprehension of Nisga’a [ncg].

Typology

VSO; prepositions; genitives after noun heads; articles, adjectives, numerals before noun heads; relatives without noun heads; question word initial in sentence; 3 or 4 prefixes, 1 inflectional suffix; word order distinguishes subjects, objects, indirect objects, given and new information, topic and comment; verb affixes mark person and number of subject and object unless obscured by phonological rule; pronominal system is fully ergative; morphological passives, but not by construction; direct causatives indicated by suffixes, indirect (jussive) by prefix; CVC; nontonal.

Language Use

Small number of families in which children and young people are fluent speakers. Taught in public schools in some communities and at the University of Northern British Columbia (Golla 2007). Some of all ages. Positive attitudes. All also use English [eng]. All also use Nisga’a [ncg].

Language Development

Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 1906.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Gitxsan
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Christian.