North Straits Salish language facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North Straits Salish |
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| SENĆOŦEN / Malchosen / Siʔneməš / Lekwungen / Semiahmoo / T’Sou-ke | |
| Region | Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada; Washington, United States |
| Native speakers | 105 (2016 census) |
| Language family |
Salishan
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| Dialects |
Samish
Semiahmoo
Sooke
Songhees
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Coast Salish linguistic distribution in the early to mid 1800s. The Northern Straits area is in the center in light red
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North Straits Salish is a special language spoken by Indigenous peoples in parts of Canada and the United States. It's part of the larger Salish language family. This language is actually a group of different ways of speaking, called dialects.
Even though these dialects are similar enough for speakers to understand each other, they are often thought of as separate languages. There isn't one single name that covers all of them in their own language.
Contents
What is North Straits Salish?
North Straits Salish is a language that belongs to the Coast Salish group. This group is part of the bigger Salishan language family. Think of it like different branches on a family tree.
Its Family Tree
North Straits Salish is very closely related to another language called Klallam. Together, they form a smaller branch known as Straits Salish. While they are close relatives, speakers of North Straits Salish and Klallam usually can't understand each other without learning the other language.
Different Ways of Speaking (Dialects)
North Straits Salish includes several different dialects. Each dialect is spoken by a specific community or nation. Here are some of the main ones:
- Lummi: Also known by names like W̱lemi and Xwlemiʼchosen.
- Saanich: Often called Senćoten or sənčáθən.
- Samish: Known as Siʔneməš.
- Semiahmoo (Semyome): Sometimes called Tah-tu-lo. This dialect is no longer actively spoken.
- T'sou-ke or Sooke: Also known as Z̓owc. This dialect is also no longer actively spoken.
- Songhees: Known as Lək̓ʷəŋín̓əŋ or Lekwungen. In 2011, there were only three speakers of this dialect.
Where is it Spoken?
The North Straits Salish language is traditionally spoken in areas around Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It is also spoken in parts of Washington in the United States. These regions are home to the Indigenous communities who speak these dialects.
How Many Speakers?
According to a 2016 census, there are about 105 people who speak North Straits Salish. This number shows that it is a critically endangered language. This means very few people still speak it, and there is a risk of it disappearing if efforts are not made to keep it alive. Organizations like UNESCO work to identify and protect languages that are in danger.
