Koyukon

Primary tabs

A language of United States

ISO 639-3

koy

Alternate Names

Ten’a

Autonym

Denaakk’e

User Population

65 (2015 census). Ethnic population: 2,300 (Golla 2007).

Location

Alaska: Koyukuk and middle Yukon rivers.

Language Maps

United States of America, Alaska and Hawaii

Language Status

8a (Moribund). Recognized language (2014, Official Languages of Alaska Law as amended, Alaska Statute 44.12.310). Language of registered tribe: Allakaket Village, Beaver Village, Evansville Village (aka Bettles Field), Galena Village (aka Louden Village), Hughes Village, Huslia Village, Koyukuk Native Village, Manley Hot Springs Village, Native Village of Ruby, Native Village of Stevens, Native Village of Tanana, Nulato Village, Rampart Village, Village of Kaltag.

Classification

Eyak-Athabaskan, Athabaskan, Northern Athabaskan

Dialects

Upper Koyukon, Central Koyukon, Lower Koyukon. Reportedly similar to Holikachuk [hoi].

Language Use

Older adults only. Most shifted to English [eng].

Language Development

Literature. Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible portions: 1974–1982.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Koyukon

Writing

Latin script [Latn].