Arikara
PrintPrimary tabs
A language of United States
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Arikaree, Arikari, Arikaris, Ree, Ris, Sáhniš
Population
10 (Golla 2007), decreasing. Ethnic population: 94 (2000 census).
Location
North Dakota: Fort Berthold Reservation, mostly Parshall and White Shield.
Language Maps
Language Status
8b (Nearly extinct). Language of registered tribe: Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation.
Classification
Typology
SOV; polysynthetic language; tonal.
Language Use
Shifting to English [eng]. Elderly only.
Language Development
Dictionary. Grammar. Texts. The annual Mandan-Hidatsa-Arikara Summer Institute (MHASI) supports Arikara language teachers and encourages new teachers to help in revitalization efforts. Agency: Mandan-Hidatsa-Arikara Language Project.
Language Resources
Writing
Unwritten [Qaax].
Reportedly a group Lewis and Clark met in 1804 in North Dakota. 30,000 were reduced to 6,000 due to smallpox.