Kwakwala

A language of Canada

Kwagiutl, Kwakiutl, Kwakwaka’wakw

Kwakwala

170 in Canada (FPCC 2014). 500 semi-speakers (FPCC 2014). Ethnic population: 7,310 (FPCC 2014). Total users in all countries: 350.

Location

British Columbia province: north Vancouver Island and adjacent mainland.

Language Status

8a (Moribund). Language of recognized indigenous peoples: Campbell River, Cape Mudge, Da’naxda’xw, Dzawada’enuxw, Gwa’Sala-Nakwaxda’xw, Gwawaenuk Tribe, Klahoose, Kwakiutl, Kwiakah, Kwikwasut’inuxw Haxwa’mis, Kwikwetlem, Mamalilikulla, Namgis, Qualicum, Quatsino, Tlatlasikwala, Tlowitsis Tribe.

Classification

Wakashan, Northern Wakashan, Kwakiutlan

Dialects

Gwawaenuk, Nakwala, Gutsala, Tlatlasikwala, Likwala (Liq’wala), Kwakwala. Related to Haisla [has] and Heiltsuk [hei].

Language Use

Older adults only. Shifted to English [eng].

Language Development

Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. Bible portions: 1882–1900.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Kwakwala

Writing

Latin script [Latn].