Upper Kuskokwim language facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Upper Kuskokwim |
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|---|---|
| Dinakʼi | |
| Native to | United States |
| Region | Alaska (middle Yukon River, Koyukuk River) |
| Ethnicity | 160 Upper Kuskokwim (2007) |
| Native speakers | <5 (2020) |
| Language family |
Dené–Yeniseian?
|
| Writing system | Latin (Northern Athabaskan alphabet) |
| Official status | |
| Official language in |  Alaska |
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The Upper Kuskokwim language, also known as Dinak'i, is a special language spoken by a group of people called the Upper Kuskokwim people. It is part of the larger Athabaskan language family, which includes many languages spoken by Indigenous peoples in North America. This language is very old and has a rich history.
The Upper Kuskokwim language is spoken in the state of Alaska, in the United States. You can find its speakers in villages along the Upper Kuskokwim River. These villages include Nikolai, Telida, and McGrath.
Who Speaks Upper Kuskokwim?
In 2007, there were about 160 Upper Kuskokwim people, also known as Dichinanek’ Hwt’ana. Sadly, only a very small number of them still speak the language today. In 2020, fewer than 5 people were fluent speakers. This means the language is critically endangered, which means it is at a high risk of disappearing forever.
How the Language Was Written Down
For a long time, the Upper Kuskokwim language was mostly spoken, not written. But in 1964, a person named Raymond Collins started working to create a way to write it down. This written system is called an orthography. It helps people learn and preserve the language.
Later, in the 1990s, a linguist from Russia named Andrej Kibrik also helped to document the language. Documenting a language means recording its words, grammar, and how it is used. This work is very important for keeping the language alive for future generations.
Links
See also
In Spanish: Idioma dinak'i para niños
