Tiwa, Northern

A language of United States

ISO 639: twf
Alternate Names: Tigua, Tiwa
Population: 1,070 (Ichihashi-Nakayama et al 2007), decreasing. 998 Taos, 66 Picuris speakers (Ichihashi-Nakayama et al 2007). Picuris spoken by nearly all 230 members of the Picuris Pueblo. 800 Taos speakers out of 1,600 in the pueblo (Golla 2007). Ethnic population: 1,830 (Golla 2007).
Location:: New Mexico: north central.
Language Status: 7 (Shifting). Language of registered tribe: Pueblo of Picuris, Pueblo of Taos.
Classification: Kiowa-Tanoan, Tanoan
Dialects: Taos, Picuris. Taos and Picuris are not mutually intelligible (Golla 2007).
Language Use: Adults only. Older adults at Picuris. All shifting to English [eng].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 1%–5%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%. A rule of secrecy is adhered to by all members of the Taos Pueblo never to reveal anything to outsiders that is intrinsic to Taos culture. As a result, any language education and retention efforts are not publicly known (Golla 2007). Bible portions: 1976–1992.
Language Resources: OLAC resources in and about Tiwa, Northern
Writing: Latin script [Latn].

Location: New Mexico: north central.