Mohawk
PrintPrimary tabs
A language of Canada
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Kanien’kehaka
Autonym
Kanien’kéha
Population
990 (2016 census). Ethnic population: 24,000 (1999 SIL). Total users in all countries: 4,090 (as L1: 3,990; as L2: 100).
Location
Ontario province: Six Nations Reserve, Tyendinaga Reserve on Bay of Quinte near Kingston, and a small settlement at Wahta Mohawk Territory east of Georgian Bay; Quebec province: Caughnawaga and Oka near Montreal.
Language Maps
Language Status
6b (Threatened). Language of recognized indigenous peoples: Bay of Quinte Mohawk, Lower Mohawk, Mohawks of Akwesasne, Mohawks of Kahnawá:ke, Mohawks of Kanesatake, Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Six Nations of the Grand River, Upper Mohawk, Wahta Mohawk, Walker Mohawk.
Classification
Language Use
Mostly older adults but a few children are native speakers. Also use English [eng].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 75%–100%. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 1787–2004. Immersion schools in Caughnawaga, Oka, on the Six Nations Reserve (Golla 2007).
Language Resources
Writing
Latin script [Latn], used since 1993.
Kanien’kehaka is name for Mohawk people.