TSI ISO 639-3
Tsimshian
Sm’algyax Autonym
A language of Canada
- ISO 639
- tsi
- Alternate Names
- Chimmezyan, Maritime Tsimshianic, Tsimpshean, Zimshian
- Autonym
- Sm’algyax
- Population
- 160 in Canada, all users. L1 users: 110 in Canada (FPCC 2014). 1 speaker of Southern Tsimshian; the rest speak Coast Tsimshian (Golla 2007). L2 users: 50 (2000). Ethnic population: 6,880 (FPCC 2014). Total users in all countries: 200 (as L1: 150; as L2: 50).
- Location:
- British Columbia province: north coast, on coast at Klemtu.
- Language Status
- 8a (Moribund). Language of recognized indigenous peoples: Gitga’at, Gitxaala, Kitasoo, Kitselas, Kitsumkalum, Lax Kw’alaams, Metlakatla.
- Classification
- Tsimshian
- Dialects
- Southern Tsimshian (Old Klemtu, Sguxs, Sgüüx̣s, Skiixs), Coast Tsimshian (Sm’algyax). Southern dialect very divergent.
- Typology
- SOV; prepositions; genitives, adjectives before noun heads.
- Language Use
- Older adults only. All shifted to English [eng]. Used as L2 by Nisga’a [ncg].
- Language Development
- Taught in school programs and through University of Northern British Columbia (Golla 2007). Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 1885–1898.
- Language Resources
- OLAC resources in and about Tsimshian
- Writing
- Latin script [Latn].
Also Spoken in
- Location
- Alaska: Annette island, New Metlakatla, on panhandle tip; Ketchikan.
- Language Status
- 8a (Moribund) View other languages of United States
Language Name
Tsimshian
User Population
40 in United States (2015 census). Ethnic population: 1,300 (Golla 2007).
Map
Location: British Columbia province: north coast, on coast at Klemtu.
Size and Vitality
Click to enlarge with explanationPlace in Language Cloud
Click to enlarge with explanation