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Míkmaq language facts for kids

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Mi'kmaq
Míkmawísimk
Native to Canada, United States
Region Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Gaspé Peninsula, the island of Newfoundland, northern Maine, Boston, Massachusetts
Ethnicity 14,200 Mi'kmaq (1998)
Native speakers 8,300  (2010 & 2011 censuses)e18
Language family
Recognised minority language in New Brunswick
Nova Scotia
Prince Edward Island

The Mi'kmaq language is a special language spoken by the Mi'kmaq people. It is part of the Algonquian language family. Most Mi'kmaq speakers live in Canada, with some also in the United States.

About 9,000 people speak Mi'kmaq in Canada. Another 1,200 speakers live in the United States. The total number of Mi'kmaq people is around 40,000. The word Míkmaq means 'my friends' in the language. Its native name is Míkmawísimk or Míkmwei.

How Mi'kmaq Is Written

The Mi'kmaq language is written using the Roman alphabet. This writing system uses letters like the ones you read in English. Missionaries created this system in the 1800s.

Before that, the Mi'kmaq people used a different way of writing. It was called Míkmaq hieroglyphic writing. This was a unique system that came partly from their own culture.

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See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Idioma micmac para niños

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