Page Type: languageMískito | Ethnologue

MIQ ISO 639-3

Mískito

Mískitu Autonym

A language of Nicaragua

ISO 639
miq
Alternate Names
Marquito, Miskuto, Mosquito, Mísquito
Autonym
Mískitu
Population
114,000 in Nicaragua (2009 UNSD). Ethnic population: 121,000 (2005 census). Total users in all countries: 143,000.
Location:
Jinotega department; North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region and South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region; Bihmuna, Bocana de Paiwas, Bonanza, Karawala, Leimus, Prinzapolka, Puerto Cabeza city, Rosita, San Carlos (Río Coco), Sangnilaya, Sisin, Siuna, Tronquera, Wasla, Waspam; Río Coco area and Pearl lagoon to Black river coast and lowlands.
Language Status
6b (Threatened). Recognized language (1993, Official Language Use, Atlantic Autonomous Regions, Law No. 162, Article 4).
Classification
Misumalpan
Dialects
Honduran Mískito (Mam), Tawira (Tauira), Baymuna (Baldam, Baymunana), Wanki (Wangki), Cabo (Kabo). Reportedly most similar to Mayangna [yan]. Wanki dialect spoken in Puerto Cabeza area; other dialects in settlements southwest.
Typology
SOV; articles, relatives after noun heads, word order distinguishes subject and object; verb affixes mark person and number; ergative; passive; CVC; nontonal.
Language Use
Some young people, all adults. Also use English [eng]. Also use Nicaragua English Creole [bzk]. Also use Spanish [spa]. Used as L2 by Mayangna [yan], Spanish [spa], Ulwa [ulw].
Language Development
Literacy rate in L1: 52%–58%. Taught in primary schools. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible: 1999.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Mískito
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Educational materials in Wanki. Christian.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Mískito
User Population
29,000 in Honduras (Rivas 1993). Ethnic population: 80,000 (2013 census).
Location
Colón department; Gracias a Dios and Olancho departments, south, Coco river watershed; coastal area, and northwest from Puerto Lempira.
Language Status
5 (Developing)
View other languages of Honduras

Map

Location: Jinotega department; North Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region and South Caribbean Coast Autonomous Region; Bihmuna, Bocana de Paiwas, Bonanza, Karawala, Leimus, Prinzapolka, Puerto Cabeza city, Rosita, San Carlos (Río Coco), Sangnilaya, Sisin, Siuna, Tronquera, Wasla, Waspam; Río Coco area and Pearl lagoon to Black river coast and lowlands.