CREE, PLAINS: a language of Canada

The following is the entry for this language as it appeared in the 14th edition (2000).
It was superseded by the corresponding entry in the 15th edition (2005). See also the corresponding entry in the current edition of Ethnologue.

SIL code: CRP

ISO 639-2: cre

Population	34,000 or more in Canada. Population total both countries 35,000 or more speakers out of 53,000 or more population (1982 SIL).
Region	North central Manitoba westward across Saskatchewan and central Alberta to the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Also spoken in USA.
Alternate names	WESTERN CREE
Dialects	PLAINS CREE, WESTERN YORK CREE.
Classification	Algic, Algonquian, Central, Cree-Montagnais-Naskapi.
Comments	Language complex or dialect continuum within Cree-Montagnais-Naskapi. Nonpalatalized y-dialect. Bilingualism in English. All ages. Vigorous. Grammar. Literacy rate in first language: 1% to 5%. Literacy rate in second language: 75% to 100%. Cree syllabary, western finals. Bible 1861-1908.

Also spoken in:

USA

Language name	CREE, PLAINS
Population	1,070 speakers (1990 census).
Alternate names	WESTERN CREE
Comments	Language complex or dialect continuum within Cree-Montagnais-Naskapi. Nonpalatalized y-dialect. Bilingualism in English. Most or all speakers in the USA are middle-aged or older. Grammar. Literacy rate in first language: 1% to 10%. Literacy rate in second language: 50% to 75%. Cree syllabary. Bible 1861-1908. See main entry under Canada.