Thompson

A language of Canada

ISO 639: thp
Alternate Names: Nklapmx, Nle’kepmxcín, Ntlakapamux, Ntlakapmuk, Thompson Salish
Population: 130 (FPCC 2014). 340 semi-speakers (FPCC 2014). Ethnic population: 6,140 (FPCC 2014).
Location:: British Columbia province: Fraser River north of Yale, lower Thompson River and tributaries.
Language Status: 8a (Moribund). Language of recognized indigenous peoples: Ashcroft, Boothroyd, Boston Bar, Coldwater, Cook’s Ferry, Kanaka Bar, Lower Nicola, Lytton, Nicomen, Nooaitch, Oregon Jack Creek, Seabird Island, Shackan, Siska, Skuppah, Spuzzum, Yale.
Classification: Salish, Interior, Northern
Language Use: Older adults only. All shifted to English [eng].
Language Development: No standard orthography. Dictionary. Grammar. Language preservation efforts not strong although Nlakapmx Tribal Council in Lytton started a language education program and is developing a teaching curriculum (Golla 2007).
Other Comments: Nicola and Coldwater are tribal bands.

Location: British Columbia province: Fraser River north of Yale, lower Thompson River and tributaries.