Míkmaq language facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mi'kmaq |
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| 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 |
Algic
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| Recognised minority language in | New Brunswick Nova Scotia Prince Edward Island |
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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.
Images for kids
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A stop sign in the Miꞌkmaq language in Elsipogtog First Nation.
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An old Bible translated into the Miꞌkmaq language.
See also
In Spanish: Idioma micmac para niños
