Yakama

A language of United States

ISO 639: yak
Alternate Names: Ichishkíin, Waptailmim, Yakima
Population: 25 (Golla 2007), decreasing. Ethnic population: 8,000 (1977 SIL).
Location:: Washington: Toppenish, on Yakima Reservation, south central.
Language Status: 8b (Nearly extinct). Language of registered tribe: Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Reservation, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation.
Classification: Sahaptian, Sahaptin
Dialects: Klikitat.
Language Use: Elderly only. Most shifted to English [eng].
Language Development: Radio. Heritage College in Toppenish offers 2 levels of Yakama language instruction. Tribal museum offers occasional classes (Golla 2007).
Other Comments: Together with Upper Cowlitz and Klikitat, sometimes called Northwest Sahaptin.

Location: Washington: Toppenish, on Yakima Reservation, south central.