Ottawa

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A language of Canada

ISO 639-3
otw
Alternate Names
Odawa, Ojibway, Ojibwe
Autonym
Daawaamwin, Nishnaabemwin
User Population

150 in Canada (2016 census). Nishnaabemwin is an emergent language, fusion of Ottawa and Eastern Ojibwa [ojg], having a couple thousand speakers (Golla 2007). Ethnic population: 60,000. Total users in all countries: 7,360.

Location

Ontario province: Lake Huron area islands, Manitoulin Island; Walople Island Reserve. West of a north south line through Bruce Peninsula (Rhodes 1976).

Language Maps
Language Status

7 (Shifting). Language of recognized indigenous peoples: Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, Aundeck-Omni-Kaning, Beausoleil, Caldwell, Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point, Chippewas of Nawash, Chippewas of the Thames, M’Chigeeng, Mattagami, Nipissing, Sagamok Anishnawbek, Saugeen, Shawanaga, Sheguiandah, Sheshegwaning, Walpole Island, Wasauksing, Whitefish River, Wikwemikong, Zhiibaahaasing.

Classification
Algic, Algonquian, Ojibwa-Potawatomi
Dialects

A member of macrolanguage Ojibwa [oji].

Language Use

Dying out in many areas. Still vigorous on Manitoulin Island. Adults only. Most shifting to English [eng].

Language Development

Taught as subject in primary and secondary schools. Dictionary. Bible portions: 1841–1844.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Ottawa
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Called Eastern Ojibwa in Bloomfield’s (1957) grammar. In southern Ontario also called Chippewa.

Also spoken in:

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