Nez Perce

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A language of United States

ISO 639-3
nez
Alternate Names
Nuumiipuutimt, Nuumiipuutímt
Population

200 (1997 H. Aoki), decreasing. Spoken fluently only by a handful of elders on Nez Perce and Colville Reservations. 30–40 semispeakers, mostly in Idaho (Golla 2007). Ethnic population: 2,700 (1997 H. Aoki); 612 (2000 census).

Location

Upriver dialect: North central Idaho, Nez Perce Reservation, Kamiah and Lapwai; eastern Washington, Colville Reservation. Downriver dialect: Oregon, Umatilla Reservation.

Language Maps
Language Status

8a (Moribund).

Classification
Sahaptian
Dialects

Downriver, Upriver.

Language Use

Shifting to English [eng]. Older adults.

Language Development
A class in Nez Perce is taught on Umatilla Reservation. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 1845–1876.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Nez Perce
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Conversational Nez Perce taught in Nespelem, Washington. There is a formal program of Nez Perce language instruction at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho as well as an independent program run by the tribe itself on the Idaho reservation, in Lapwai, Kamiah, and Orofino, Idaho.