43 Wakashan Languages
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T̕łat̕łaḵuł Patricia Rosborough
Abstract
This chapter provides a sketch of the Wakashan language family intended to serve as a resource for those engaged in community-based language reclamation. The seven languages of the Wakashan family (qʷi·qʷi·diččaq, diitiidʔaaʔtx̣, nuučaan̓uɬ, ‘Uik̓ ala, Híɫzaqvḷa, X̄a’islak̓ ala-X̄enaksialak̓ ala, and Kwak̕wala) are spoken in the Pacific Northwest Coast from qʷi·qʷi·diččaq territory on the Olympic Peninsula extending north across Vancouver Island to Híɫzaqvḷa and X̄a’islak̓ ala territories bordering Tsimshian lands. Communities throughout Wakashan territory are actively engaged in language reclamation and revitalization efforts: they report a growing population of more than 2000 active learners, with many Elder first-language speakers engaged in a range of activities related to language reclamation. Extensive written and recorded documentation and description of Wakashan languages reaches back to early contact with outsiders. The work of many community-based language researchers to interpret these materials has made portions of it useful and accessible in community language and cultural revitalization. Community-based scholars working within language and culture programs have likewise contributed many useful documentation and pedagogical materials. We highlight some of the grammatical features, research, and understandings of these languages that are of particular interest to learners, teachers, and scholars working on language reclamation and revitalization.
Abstract
This chapter provides a sketch of the Wakashan language family intended to serve as a resource for those engaged in community-based language reclamation. The seven languages of the Wakashan family (qʷi·qʷi·diččaq, diitiidʔaaʔtx̣, nuučaan̓uɬ, ‘Uik̓ ala, Híɫzaqvḷa, X̄a’islak̓ ala-X̄enaksialak̓ ala, and Kwak̕wala) are spoken in the Pacific Northwest Coast from qʷi·qʷi·diččaq territory on the Olympic Peninsula extending north across Vancouver Island to Híɫzaqvḷa and X̄a’islak̓ ala territories bordering Tsimshian lands. Communities throughout Wakashan territory are actively engaged in language reclamation and revitalization efforts: they report a growing population of more than 2000 active learners, with many Elder first-language speakers engaged in a range of activities related to language reclamation. Extensive written and recorded documentation and description of Wakashan languages reaches back to early contact with outsiders. The work of many community-based language researchers to interpret these materials has made portions of it useful and accessible in community language and cultural revitalization. Community-based scholars working within language and culture programs have likewise contributed many useful documentation and pedagogical materials. We highlight some of the grammatical features, research, and understandings of these languages that are of particular interest to learners, teachers, and scholars working on language reclamation and revitalization.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Preface V
- Table of contents VII
-
VII Language revitalization
- 32 Reviving languages: Outcomes of a Mentor-Apprentice style learning study 717
- 33 Child and child-directed speech in North American languages 741
- 34 Decolonizing Indigenous language pedagogies: Additional language learning and teaching 767
- 35 Digital tools for language revitalization 789
- 36 Using archival materials for language reclamation 807
- 37 Changing notions of fieldwork 823
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VIII Language families and isolates
- 38 Inuit-Yupik-Unangan: An overview of the language family 843
- 39 Dene – Athabaskan 875
- 40 Algonquian 931
- 41 Michif 951
- 42 Tsimshianic 985
- 43 Wakashan Languages 1013
- 44 Salish 1053
- 45 Chinookan family, with special reference to Kiksht and notes on Chinuk Wawa 1115
- 46 Sahaptian 1139
- 47 Karuk 1169
- 48 Wáˑšiw 1201
- 49 Pomoan 1223
- 50 California languages: Isolates and other languages 1247
- 51 Chumashan 1275
- 52 Yuman 1303
- 53 Uto-Aztecan 1333
- 54 Kiowa-Tanoan 1361
- 55 Caddoan 1407
- 56 Sketch of the Siouan Language Family 1447
- 57 Chitimacha 1519
- 58 Tunica 1545
- 59 Muskogean 1577
- 60 Iroquoian 1601
- 61 Unclassified languages 1627
- List of Authors 1649
- Index of languages 1673
- Index of names 1685
- Index of subjects 1695
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Preface V
- Table of contents VII
-
VII Language revitalization
- 32 Reviving languages: Outcomes of a Mentor-Apprentice style learning study 717
- 33 Child and child-directed speech in North American languages 741
- 34 Decolonizing Indigenous language pedagogies: Additional language learning and teaching 767
- 35 Digital tools for language revitalization 789
- 36 Using archival materials for language reclamation 807
- 37 Changing notions of fieldwork 823
-
VIII Language families and isolates
- 38 Inuit-Yupik-Unangan: An overview of the language family 843
- 39 Dene – Athabaskan 875
- 40 Algonquian 931
- 41 Michif 951
- 42 Tsimshianic 985
- 43 Wakashan Languages 1013
- 44 Salish 1053
- 45 Chinookan family, with special reference to Kiksht and notes on Chinuk Wawa 1115
- 46 Sahaptian 1139
- 47 Karuk 1169
- 48 Wáˑšiw 1201
- 49 Pomoan 1223
- 50 California languages: Isolates and other languages 1247
- 51 Chumashan 1275
- 52 Yuman 1303
- 53 Uto-Aztecan 1333
- 54 Kiowa-Tanoan 1361
- 55 Caddoan 1407
- 56 Sketch of the Siouan Language Family 1447
- 57 Chitimacha 1519
- 58 Tunica 1545
- 59 Muskogean 1577
- 60 Iroquoian 1601
- 61 Unclassified languages 1627
- List of Authors 1649
- Index of languages 1673
- Index of names 1685
- Index of subjects 1695
