Non-Algonquian Languages of Western Canada

[vijayjohn]

In addition to English and a few Algonquian and Siouan languages, many other languages are spoken in Western Canada, especially in British Columbia. Several Na-Dene and Salishan languages, Haida, Kutenai, and all surviving Wakashan and Tsimshianic languages are spoken in British Columbia. Kutenai is a language isolate.

The Na-Dene languages of British Columbia consist of Tlingit, South Slavey, and the Cordillera and Central British Columbia languages. The Cordillera languages are Tahltan, Kaska, Sekani, and Danezaa. The Central British Columbia languages spoken further south are Babine-Witsuwit'en, Dakelh, and Chilcotin.

The northernmost Salishan language is Nuxalk, which is its own subgroup within the Salishan language family. The other Salishan languages are spoken closer to the border with the US, namely Comox, Sechelt, Squamish, Shuswap, Lillooet, Thompson, and Okanagan on the mainland; Halkomelem both on the mainland and on Vancouver Island; and North Straits Salish on Vancouver Island.

Danezaa is also spoken in Alberta, as is Dene Suline. Another Athabaskan language spoken only in Alberta is Tsuut'ina. Dene Suline is also spoken in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.