Tsimshian

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A language of Canada

ISO 639-3
tsi
Alternate Names
Chimmezyan, Maritime Tsimshianic, Tsimpshean, Zimshian
Autonym
Sm’algyax
Population

160 in Canada, all users. L1 users: 110 in Canada (FPCC 2014). 1 speaker of Southern Tsimshian; the rest speak Coast Tsimshian (Golla 2007). L2 users: 50 (2000). Ethnic population: 6,880 (FPCC 2014). Total users in all countries: 200 (as L1: 150; as L2: 50).

Location

British Columbia province: north coast, on coast at Klemtu.

Language Maps
Language Status

8a (Moribund). Language of recognized indigenous peoples: Gitga’at, Gitxaala, Kitasoo, Kitselas, Kitsumkalum, Lax Kw’alaams, Metlakatla.

Classification
Tsimshian
Dialects

Southern Tsimshian (Old Klemtu, Sguxs, Sgüüx̣s, Skiixs), Coast Tsimshian (Sm’algyax).

Typology

SOV; prepositions; genitives, adjectives before noun heads.

Language Use

Older adults only. Also use English [eng]. Used as L2 by Nisga’a [ncg].

Language Development

Taught in school programs and through University of Northern British Columbia (Golla 2007). Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 1885–1898.

Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Tsimshian
Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Other Comments

Southern dialect very divergent.

Also spoken in:

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