Northern Athabaskan languages facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Northern Athabaskan |
|
|---|---|
| Ethnicity: | Dene |
| Geographic distribution: |
Alaska, Yukon |
| Linguistic classification: | Dené–Yeniseian?
|
| Subdivisions: |
—
|
 |
|
Northern Athabaskan languages are a group of languages spoken by indigenous peoples in the northern parts of North America. You can find these languages mainly in Alaska, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories. There are 31 different Northern Athabaskan languages. They are grouped into seven main areas.
Contents
What Are Northern Athabaskan Languages?
These languages are part of a bigger language family called Athabaskan. This family includes many languages spoken across North America. Northern Athabaskan languages are spoken by people often called Dene. They have lived in these northern regions for a very long time.
Where Are These Languages Spoken?
Northern Athabaskan languages are found in different regions. Each region has its own unique languages. These areas stretch across vast lands. They include parts of Alaska and Canada.
Languages of Southern Alaska
In southern Alaska, you can find languages like Ahtna and Dena’ina.
- Ahtna is also known as Copper River. It has different ways of speaking, like Central and Lower Copper River Ahtna.
- Dena’ina is sometimes called Tanaina. It is spoken in areas like the Lower Inlet and Upper Inlet.
Languages of Central Alaska and Yukon
This large area has many languages. They are often grouped by their main regions.
Koyukon Group
- Deg Xinag is also known as Deg Hit'an. People speak it along the Lower Yukon River.
- Holikachuk is another language in this group.
- Koyukon is a widely spoken language. It has Lower, Central, and Upper forms.
Tanana–Tutchone Group
- Upper Kuskokwim is sometimes called Kolchan.
- Tanana languages include Lower Tanana, Tanacross, and Upper Tanana. These are spoken in different communities.
- Tutchone languages are found in the Yukon. They include Southern Tutchone and Northern Tutchone.
Kutchin–Han Group
- Gwich’in is also known as Kutchin. It is spoken in both Alaska and Canada.
- Hän is a language found near the Yukon River.
Languages of Northwestern Canada
This region also has several groups of languages.
Cordillera Group
- Tagish, Tahltan, and Kaska are closely related. They are sometimes called the Tahltan-Tagish-Kaska group.
- Sekani and Danezaa (also known as Beaver) are also part of this group.
Mackenzie Group
- Slavey–Hare includes several dialects. These are Slavey, Mountain, Bearlake, and Hare.
- Dogrib is another important language in this area. It is also called Tłįchǫ.
Chipewyan Group
- Dene Suline is widely known as Chipewyan. It is spoken by the Dene people.
Tsetsaut Language
- Tsetsaut is a language from this region. It is also known as Ts’ets’aut.
Languages of Central British Columbia
- Babine-Witsuwit’en is a complex language. It includes dialects like Babine and Witsuwit’en.
- Dakelh is commonly called Carrier. It has Central and Southern forms.
- Chilcotin is also known as Tsilhqot’in.
- Nicola was a language spoken here. Sadly, it is now extinct.
Sarsi Language
- Sarsi is also known as Tsuut’ina. It is spoken by the Tsuut’ina Nation.
Kwalhioqua–Tlatskanai Language
- Kwalhioqua-Clatskanie is another language group. It includes dialects like Willapa and Clatskanie.
See also
In Spanish: Lenguas atabascanas septentrionales para niños
