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Ethnologue > Web version > Country index > Americas > Canada > Gwich’in

Gwich’in

A language of Canada

ISO 639-3: gwi

Population  500 in Canada. Population total all countries: 800.
Region  Northwest Territories: Aklavik, Inuvik, Tsiigehtchic, Fort McPherson. Also in United States.
Language map  Canada, reference number 1
Alternate names   Kutchin, Loucheux, Tukudh
Dialects  Fort Yukon Gwich’in, Arctic Village Gwich’in, Western Canada Gwich’in (Takudh, Tukudh, Loucheux), Arctic Red River.
Classification  Na-Dene, Nuclear Na-Dene, Athapaskan-Eyak, Athapaskan, Canadian, Han-Kutchin
Language use  In Northwest Territories. Vigorous in a few communities. Mainly adults. Also use English.
Language development  Literacy rate in L1: 1%–5%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1898.
Writing system  Latin script.

Also spoken in:

United States

Language name   Gwich’in
Population  300 in United States (Krauss 1995), decreasing. Ethnic population: 1,100 (Krauss 1995); 614 (2000 census).
Region  Northeast Alaska on Yukon River and tributaries: Fort Yukon, Chalkyitsik, Birch Creek, Venetie, and Arctic village.
Language map  United States of America, Alaska and Hawaii
Alternate names  Kutchin
Dialects  Fort Yukon Gwich’in, Arctic Village Gwich’in, Western Canada Gwich’in (Takudh, Tukudh, Loucheux), Arctic Red River.
Language use  Greater use in isolated communities. Mainly older adults. Most children only speak English.
Language development  Literacy rate in L1: 1%–5%. Literacy rate in L2: 75%–100%.