DAKOTA: a language of USA

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It was superseded by the corresponding entry in the 15th edition (2005).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: DHG

ISO 639-2: dak

Population	15,355 speakers in USA including 31 monolinguals (1990 census). Population total both countries 20,355.
Region	Northern Nebraska, southern Minnesota, North and South Dakota, northeastern Montana. Also spoken in Canada.
Alternate names	SIOUX
Dialects	DAKOTA (DAKHOTA, SANTEE, SANTEE-SISSETON), NAKOTA (NAKODA, YANKTON, YANKTON-YANKTONAIS).
Classification	Siouan, Siouan Proper, Central, Mississippi Valley, Dakota.
Comments	Some children are being raised speaking the language in the northern Plains (1998). Many younger ones prefer English or do not speak the language. Bible 1879.

Also spoken in:

Canada

Language name	DAKOTA
Population	5,000 in Canada (1991 M. Dale Kinkade).
Alternate names	SIOUX
Dialects	DAKOTA (SANTEE), NAKOTA (YANKTON).
Comments	83% to 86% lexical similarity with Stoney, 89% to 94% with Assiniboine, 90% to 95% among dialects. All ages in some communities. Vigorous in some communities. In some communities children and young adults may not speak Dakota or may prefer English. Literacy rate in first language: Below 1%. Literacy rate in second language: 50% to 75%. Bible 1879. See main entry under USA.