Mískito

A language of Nicaragua

Marquito, Miskuto, Mosquito, Mísquito

Mískitu

114,000 in Nicaragua (2009 UNSD). Ethnic population: 121,000 (2005 census). Total users in all countries: 143,000.

Jinotega department; North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region and South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region; Bihmuna, Bocana de Paiwas, Bonanza, Karawala, Leimus, Prinzapolka, Puerto Cabeza city, Rosita, San Carlos (Río Coco), Sangnilaya, Sisin, Siuna, Tronquera, Wasla, Waspam; Río Coco area and Pearl lagoon to Black river coast and lowlands.

Language Maps

Nicaragua

El Salvador and Honduras

Language Status

6b (Threatened). Recognized language (1993, Official Language Use, Atlantic Autonomous Regions, Law No. 162, Article 4).

Classification

Misumalpan

Dialects

Honduran Mískito (Mam), Tawira (Tauira), Baymuna (Baldam, Baymunana), Wanki (Wangki), Cabo (Kabo). Reportedly most similar to Mayangna [yan]. Wanki dialect spoken in Puerto Cabeza area; other dialects in settlements southwest.

Typology

SOV; articles, relatives after noun heads, word order distinguishes subject and object; verb affixes mark person and number; ergative; passive; CVC; nontonal.

Language Use

Some young people, all adults. Also use English [eng]. Also use Nicaragua English Creole [bzk]. Also use Spanish [spa]. Used as L2 by Mayangna [yan], Spanish [spa], Ulwa [ulw].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L1: 52%–58%. Taught in primary schools. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1999.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Mískito

Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Educational materials in Wanki. Christian.