Okanagan
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A language of Canada
ISO 639-3
Alternate Names
Colville-Okanagan, Nselxcin, Okanagan-Colville, Okanagon, Okanogan, Syilx
Autonym
Nsyilxcən
Population
190 (FPCC 2014), increasing. Except for 12 fluent speakers on Westbank Reserve, the other reserves each have at least 50 speakers of varying fluency, Vernon Reserve perhaps 100 (Golla 2007). 170 semi-speakers (FPCC 2014). Ethnic population: 5,180 (FPCC 2014). Total users in all countries: 420.
Location
British Columbia province: 7 reserves: Douglas Lake, Hedley, Keremeos, Oliver, Penticton, Vernon, Westbank; east of Fraser Valley and west of Kootenai.
Language Maps
Language Status
7 (Shifting). Language of recognized indigenous peoples: Lower Similkameen, Okanagan, Osoyoos, Penticton, Upper Nicola, Upper Similkameen, Westbank.
Classification
Dialects
Sanpoil, Southern Okanogan.
Language Use
Speakers 30 and older. Also use English [eng].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 50%. Dictionary. Grammar. Substantial revitalization efforts (Golla 2007).
Language Resources
Writing
Latin script [Latn].