Ho-Chunk
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A language of United States
Alternate Names
Hocąk, Hocak Wazijaci, Hocank, Hochank, Hochunk, Hocák, Winnebago
Autonym
Hoocąk
User Population
250 (Golla 2007). 230 reported in 1997 (1997 V. Zeps). Ethnic population: 1,650 (2000 census).
Location
Iowa: south of Sioux City, east bank, Missouri river; Nebraska: Winnebago Reservation; Wisconsin: central, scattered.
Language Maps
Language Status
8a (Moribund). Language of registered tribe: Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin, Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.
Dialects
Wisconsin, Nebraska.
Language Use
Language maintenance efforts underway since 1990 (Golla 2007). Older adults only. Most shifted to English [eng].
Language Development
Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 1907. Agency: Ho-Chunk Culture Committee.
The name is written with a hook under the ‘a’ of Hocák, representing a nasalized vowel. The official name for the people is Hocák Nation.