Zuni

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A language of United States

ISO 639-3
zun
Alternate Names
Ashiwi, Shiwi, Zuñi
Autonym
Shiwi’ma
User Population

9,620 (2015 census), increasing. Few, if any, monolinguals (2000).

Location

New Mexico: south McKinley County Reservation, south of Gallup.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened). Language of registered tribe: Zuni Tribe of the Zuni Reservation.

Classification
Language isolate
Language Use

Some children raised to speak the language (1998). Slowly shifting to English [eng] (Golla 2007). Home, traditional tribal council meetings, all religious ceremonies, and occasionally in religious services. Some young people, all adults. Positive attitudes. Most also use English [eng].

Language Development

Literacy rate in L2: 75%–100%. Schools in English [eng]. Taught as subject in primary schools. Radio. Videos. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 1941–2007. The Zuni Tribe has collaborated with the public school district in developing a literacy program to help preserve the written language (Golla 2007).

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Zuni
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Traditional religion.