Shoshoni

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A language of United States

ISO 639-3
shh
Alternate Names
Shoshone
Population

1,000 (Golla 2007). Also 1,000 speakers who are not fluent. Ethnic population: 7,000 (1977 SIL).

Location

Central to northeast Nevada; Idaho, Fort Hall Reservation. Northern Shoshoni dialect: Wind River Reservation, Wyoming; Gosiute dialect: west Utah.

Language Maps
Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Classification
Uto-Aztecan, Northern Uto-Aztecan, Numic, Central, Shoshoni-Goshiute
Dialects

Gosiute (Goshute), Northern Shoshoni, Western Shoshoni. Wind River Shoshoni is a subdialect of Northern Shoshoni, spoken at Wind River Reservation. Similar to Comanche [com] and Timbisha [par], which are not inherently intelligible of Shoshoni.

Language Use

Mostly adults 50 and older but a few children learn the language as L1 in Duck Valley and Gusiute communities. Also use English [eng].

Language Development
Strong interest in revitalization but efforts are scattered with little coordination. Idaho State University offers a 2-year language program (2007). Literacy is increasing. Dictionary. Bible portions: 1986.
Writing
Latin script.