Gitxsan language facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gitxsan |
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|---|---|
| Gitxsanimaax, Gitxsanimx | |
| Native to | Canada |
| Region | Skeena region, British Columbia |
| Ethnicity | 5,680 Gitxsan |
| Native speakers | 1,020 (2016 census) |
| Language family |
Tsimshianic
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The Gitxsan language, also called Gitxsanimaax, is a special language. It is spoken by the Gitxsan people in northwestern British Columbia, Canada. This language is part of the Tsimshianic languages family.
Gitxsan is an endangered language. This means that fewer and fewer people are speaking it fluently. It is closely related to the Nisga'a language. However, the Gitxsan and Nisga'a people consider their languages to be separate. In 2016, about 1,020 people spoke Gitxsan.
The name "Gitxsan" means "People of the Skeena River". The Skeena River is called Ksan in the Gitxsan language.
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Gitxsan Language Dialects
The Gitxsan language has two main groups of dialects. These are called Geenix (Eastern) and Gyeets (Western) Gitxsan. Even though there are these two main groups, each village has its own way of speaking.
Eastern and Western Villages
The Geenix, or Eastern, villages include Kispiox (Ansbayaxw), Glen Vowell (Sigit'ox), and Hazelton (Git-an'maaxs). The Gyeets, or Western, villages are Kitwanga (Gjtwjngax), Gitanyow (Git-antaaw), and Kitseguecla (Gijigyukwhla).
The biggest differences between these dialects are in how vowels sound. There are also some differences in how certain "stop" sounds are used. These sound changes are mostly found in the Eastern dialects. The largest differences in language and culture are between the Eastern and Western Gitxsan groups. These differences are bigger than those between individual villages.
Efforts to Keep Gitxsan Alive
Many people are working hard to keep the Gitxsan language from disappearing. They want to make sure future generations can learn and speak it.
Teaching the Language
The University of Northern British Columbia and the Siiwiixo'osxwim Wilnataahl Gitksan Society are helping. They created a special program at Northwest Community College. This program is offered in Hazelton, British Columbia.
The program helps people learn to teach the Gitxsan language and culture. Those who finish the program can teach in elementary and high schools in their communities. This helps bring the language back to life.
Gitxsan Dictionary App
In 2018, a new online dictionary app was launched. This app was made with the help of Gitxsan Nation members and researchers from the University of British Columbia. The app includes different Gitxsan dialects. It also has audio recordings from various villages, so you can hear how words are pronounced.
Besides being a dictionary, the app offers flashcards, stories, and historical information. It is based on a printed dictionary that was made in 1973. When it first came out, the app was very popular. It was one of the top education apps on Google Play and had about 500 downloads in its first week.
