Kutenai

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A language of Canada

ISO 639-3
kut
Alternate Names
Kootenai, Kootenay
Autonym
Ktunaxa
Population

25 in Canada (FPCC 2014). 20 semi-speakers (FPCC 2014). Ethnic population: 1,150 (FPCC 2014). Total users in all countries: 245.

Location

British Columbia province: Columbia Lake, Saint Mary’s, Tobacco Plains (Upper Kutenai dialect); British Columbia province: Lower Kutenai at Creston (Lower Kutenai dialect).

Language Maps
Language Status

8a (Moribund). Language of recognized indigenous peoples: Chiniki, Lower Kootenay, Stoney, Tobacco Plains, Wesley.

Classification
Language isolate
Dialects

Lower Kutenai, Upper Kutenai.

Typology

Polysynthetic language; 21 consonants and 6 vowels (3 long, 3 short); obviative third person pronoun.

Language Use

Shifting to English [eng]. Older adults only.

Language Development
Dictionary. Grammar. Kutenai is offered as L2 course (1991). Retention efforts underway in most locations (Golla 2007).
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Kutenai
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Also spoken in:

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