Tsimshian

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A language of Canada

ISO 639-3
tsi
Alternate Names
Chimmezyan, Maritime Tsimshianic, Tsimpshean, Zimshian
Population

280 in Canada (2011 census). 1 speaker of Southern Tsimshian; the rest speak Coast Tsimshian (Golla 2007). 2001 Canada census lists 505 in Canada. Population total all countries: 350. Ethnic population: 6,780 (Golla 2007).

Location

North coast British Columbia. Southern Tsimshian at southern end on coast at Klemtu. Also in United States.

Language Maps
Language Status

7 (Shifting).

Classification
Tsimshian
Dialects

Coast Tsimshian (Sm’algyax), Southern Tsimshian (Old Klemtu, Sguxs).

Typology

SOV; prepositions; genitives, adjectives before noun heads

Language Use

Speakers 50 and older. Also use English [eng].

Language Development
Taught in school programs and through University of Northern British Columbia. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 1885–1898.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Tsimshian
Writing
Latin script.
Other Comments

Southern dialect very divergent.

Also spoken in:

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