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It was superseded by the corresponding entry in the 15th edition (2005).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: VEP
ISO 639-2: fiu
| Population | 2,320 speakers (1979 census) out of 13,500 in the ethnic group (1989 census). The remaining persons speak Russian as first language. Other reports indicate the number of speakers is higher. |
| Region | Among Russian speakers, on the boundary between St. Petersburg and Vologda oblasts and in Karelian Republic. Half reportedly went to Finland during World War II. |
| Alternate names | VEPSIAN, 'CHUDY', 'CHUHARI', 'CHUKHARI' |
| Dialects | SOUTHERN VEPS, CENTRAL VEPS, PRIONEZH (NORTH VEPS). |
| Classification | Uralic, Finno-Ugric, Finno-Permic, Finno-Cheremisic, Finno-Mordvinic, Finno-Lappic, Baltic-Finnic. |
| Comments | Bilingualism in Russian. Few children speakers. A growing sense of ethnic identity and desire to revive Veps. Dictionary. Grammar. Taught in some primary schools, but not compulsory. Book of poems, school primers for grades 1-3. Poetry, newspapers, radio programs, TV. Christian. Bible portions 1992-1996. |
