Pawnee

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A language of United States

ISO 639-3
paw
User Population

10 (Golla 2007). Ethnic population: 2,500 (Golla 2007).

Location

Oklahoma: north central.

Language Maps
Language Status

8b (Nearly extinct). Language of registered tribe: Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma.

Classification
Caddoan, Northern Caddoan, Kitsai-Proto-Pawnee, Proto-Pawnee
Dialects

South Band, Skiri (Skidi). Reportedly similar to Arikara [ari], but not inherently intelligible with it. Kitsai [kii] is somewhat similar to Wichita [wic], but reportedly more similar to Pawnee.

Typology

8 consonants and 8 vowels (4 long, 4 short).

Language Use

Elderly only. Shifted to English [eng].

Language Development

Grammar. Texts. Pawnee Nation is developing teaching materials for the local high school and adult education (Golla 2007).

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Pawnee
Other Comments

Extensive documentary materials archived at American Indian Studies Research Institute.