Page Type: languageOttawa | Ethnologue

OTW ISO 639-3

Ottawa

Daawaamwin, Nishnaabemwin Autonym

A language of Canada

ISO 639
otw
Alternate Names
Odawa, Ojibway, Ojibwe
Autonym
Daawaamwin, Nishnaabemwin
Population
150 in Canada (2016 census). Nishnaabemwin is an emergent language, fusion of Ottawa and Eastern Ojibwa [ojg], having a couple thousand speakers (Golla 2007). Ethnic population: 60,000. Total users in all countries: 7,360.
Location:
Ontario province: Lake Huron area islands, Manitoulin Island; Walople Island Reserve. West of a north south line through Bruce Peninsula (Rhodes 1976).
Language Status
7 (Shifting). Language of recognized indigenous peoples: Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, Aundeck-Omni-Kaning, Beausoleil, Caldwell, Chippewas of Kettle and Stony Point, Chippewas of Nawash, Chippewas of the Thames, M’Chigeeng, Mattagami, Nipissing, Sagamok Anishnawbek, Saugeen, Shawanaga, Sheguiandah, Sheshegwaning, Walpole Island, Wasauksing, Whitefish River, Wikwemikong, Zhiibaahaasing.
Classification
Algic, Algonquian, Ojibwa-Potawatomi
Dialects
A member of macrolanguage Ojibwa [oji].
Language Use
Dying out in many areas. Still vigorous on Manitoulin Island. Adults only. Most shifting to English [eng].
Language Development
Taught in primary schools. Dictionary. Bible portions: 1841–1844.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Ottawa
Writing
Latin script [Latn].
Other Comments
Called Eastern Ojibwa in Bloomfield’s (1957) grammar. In southern Ontario also called Chippewa.

Also Spoken in

Language Name
Ottawa
User Population
7,210 in United States (2010 census). 310 Ottawa, 6,900 Ojibwa. 10 monolinguals. Ethnic population: 8,910 (2000 census). 560 Ottawa, 8,350 Ojibwa.
Location
Michigan: near Sault Sainte Marie and elsewhere.
Language Status
7 (Shifting)
View other languages of United States

Map

Location: Ontario province: Lake Huron area islands, Manitoulin Island; Walople Island Reserve. West of a north south line through Bruce Peninsula (Rhodes 1976).