Gwich’in | Ethnologue

A language of Canada

ISO 639: gwi
Alternate Names: Kutchin, Loucheux, Takudh, Tukkuthkutchin, Tukudh
Autonym: Dinju Zhuh K’yuu
Population: 260 in Canada (2016 census). Ethnic population: 1,900 (Krauss 2007). Total users in all countries: 560.
Location:: Northwest Territories: Aklavik, Inuvik, Tsiigehtchic, Fort McPherson; Yukon Territory: Old Crow.
Language Status: 7 (Shifting). Statutory language of provincial identity in NWT (1988, NWT Official Languages Act, Chapter 56 (Supplemented), Section 4). Language of recognized indigenous peoples: Gwichya Gwich’in, Inuvik Native, Tetlit Gwich’in, Vuntut Gwitchin.
Classification: Eyak-Athabaskan, Athabaskan, Northern Athabaskan
Dialects: Fort Yukon Gwich’in, Arctic Village Gwich’in, Western Canada Gwich’in (Loucheux, Takudh, Tukudh), Arctic Red River.
Language Use: Still vigorous in a few communities. Taught in school at Old Crow since 1970s (Golla 2007). Adults only. All shifting to English [eng].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 1%–5%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%. Literature. Dictionary. Bible: 1898.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Gwich’in
Writing: Latin script [Latn].

United States

Location: Alaska: Arctic village, Birch Creek, Chalkyitsik, Circle, Fort Yukon, and Venetie; on Yukon river and tributaries.
Dialects: Arctic Red River, Arctic Village Gwich’in, Fort Yukon Gwich’in, Western Canada Gwich’in (Loucheux, Takudh, Tukudh).
Language Status: 7 (Shifting)
Other Comments: Non-indigenous.

Location: Northwest Territories: Aklavik, Inuvik, Tsiigehtchic, Fort McPherson; Yukon Territory: Old Crow.