 | It has been suggested that this article besplit into articles titledNorthern Tutchtone language andSouthern Tutchtone language. (Discuss)(July 2024) |
| Tutchone | |
|---|---|
| Dän kʼè (Southern) Dän kʼí (Northern) | |
| Native to | Canada |
| Region | Yukon |
| Ethnicity | 2,500 (1,100Northern Tutchone, 1,400Southern Tutchone; 2007) |
Native speakers | 360 (2016 census)[1] |
Dené–Yeniseian?
| |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | Either:tce – Southernttm – Northern |
| Glottolog | tutc1236 |
 Speaker location | |
 Southern Tutchone is classified as Critically Endangered by theUNESCOAtlas of the World's Languages in Danger | |
Tutchone is anAthabaskan language spoken by theNorthern andSouthern Tutchone First Nations in central and southern regions ofYukon Territory,Canada. Tutchone belongs to the Northern Athabaskan linguistic subfamily and has two primaryvarieties, Southern and Northern. Although they are sometimes considered separate languages, Northern and Southern Tutchone speakers are generally able to understand each other in conversation, albeit with moderate difficulty.[2]
Southern Tutchone is spoken in the Yukon communities ofAishihik,Burwash Landing,Champagne,Haines Junction,Kloo Lake,Klukshu,Lake Laberge, andWhitehorse.[3]
Northern Tutchone is spoken in the Yukon communities ofMayo,Pelly Crossing,Stewart Crossing,Carmacks, andBeaver Creek.[4]
The consonants and vowels of Northern Tutchone and their orthography are as follows:[5]
| Labial | Inter- dental | Alveolar | Post- alveolar | Retro- flex | Velar | Glottal | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| plain | sibilant | lateral | plain | labial | |||||||
| Nasal | m⟨m⟩ | n⟨n⟩ | |||||||||
| Plosive/ Affricate | plain | tθ⟨ddh⟩ | t⟨d⟩ | ts⟨dz⟩ | tɬ⟨dl⟩ | tʃ⟨j⟩ | k⟨g⟩ | kʷ⟨gw⟩ | ʔ⟨ʼ⟩ | ||
| aspirated | tθʰ⟨tth⟩ | tʰ⟨t⟩ | tsʰ⟨ts⟩ | tɬʰ⟨tl⟩ | tʃʰ⟨ch⟩ | kʰ⟨k⟩ | kʷʰ⟨kw⟩ | ||||
| ejective | tθʼ⟨tth’⟩ | tʼ⟨t’⟩ | tsʼ⟨ts’⟩ | tɬʼ⟨tl’⟩ | tʃʼ⟨ch’⟩ | kʼ⟨k’⟩ | kʷʼ⟨kw’⟩ | ||||
| prenasalized | ᵐb⟨mb⟩ | ⁿd⟨nd⟩ | ⁿdʒ⟨nj⟩ | ||||||||
| Fricative | voiceless | θ⟨th⟩ | s⟨s⟩ | ɬ⟨ł⟩ | ʃ⟨sh⟩ | x⟨kh⟩ | xʷ⟨khw⟩ | h⟨h⟩ | |||
| voiced | ð⟨dh⟩ | z⟨z⟩ | ɮ⟨l⟩ | ʒ⟨zh⟩ | ɣ⟨gh⟩ | ɣʷ⟨ghw⟩ | |||||
| Approximant | j⟨y⟩ | ɻ⟨r⟩ | w⟨w⟩ | ||||||||
| Front | Central | Back | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | i⟨i⟩ | u⟨u⟩ | |
| Mid | e⟨e⟩ | ə⟨ä⟩ | o⟨o⟩ |
| Low | a⟨a⟩ | ||
Vowels are differentiated for nasalization and high, mid, and low tone.
| Labial | Inter- dental | Alveolar | Post- alveolar | Retro- flex | Velar | Glottal | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| plain | sibilant | lateral | plain | labial | |||||||
| Nasal | m⟨m⟩ | n⟨n⟩ | |||||||||
| Plosive/ Affricate | plain | tθ⟨ddh⟩ | t⟨d⟩ | ts⟨dz⟩ | tɬ⟨dl⟩ | tʃ⟨j⟩ | k⟨g⟩ | kʷ⟨gw⟩ | ʔ⟨ʼ⟩ | ||
| aspirated | tθʰ⟨tth⟩ | tʰ⟨t⟩ | tsʰ⟨ts⟩ | tɬʰ⟨tl⟩ | tʃʰ⟨ch⟩ | kʰ⟨k⟩ | kʷʰ⟨kw⟩ | ||||
| ejective | tθʼ⟨tth’⟩ | tʼ⟨t’⟩ | tsʼ⟨ts’⟩ | tɬʼ⟨tl’⟩ | tʃʼ⟨ch’⟩ | kʼ⟨k’⟩ | kʷʼ⟨kw’⟩ | ||||
| prenasalized | ᵐb⟨mb⟩ | ⁿd⟨nd⟩ | ⁿdʒ⟨nj⟩ | ||||||||
| Fricative | voiceless | θ⟨th⟩ | s⟨s⟩ | ɬ⟨ł⟩ | ʃ⟨sh⟩ | x⟨kh⟩ | xʷ⟨khw⟩ | h⟨h⟩ | |||
| voiced | ð⟨dh⟩ | z⟨z⟩ | ɮ⟨l⟩ | ʒ⟨zh⟩ | ɣ⟨gh⟩ | ɣʷ⟨ghw⟩ | |||||
| Approximant | j⟨y⟩ | ɻ⟨r⟩ | w⟨w⟩ | ||||||||
| Front | Central | Back | |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | i⟨i⟩ | ɨ⟨ü⟩ | u⟨u⟩ |
| Mid | e⟨e⟩ | ə⟨ä⟩ | o⟨o⟩ |
| Low | a⟨a⟩ | ||
Vowels are differentiated for nasalization and high, mid, and low tone.
Southern (Dän kʼè)
Northern (Dän kʼí)
The comparison of some words in the two languages:[7]
| Northern | Southern | meaning |
|---|---|---|
| łu ¹ ~łyok ² | łu | fish |
| łígī | łä̀chʼi | one |
| łä́ki | łä̀ki | two |
| tadechʼi | tayke | three |
| łénínchʼi | dùkʼwän | four |
| hulákʼo | kä̀jän | five |
| èkúm | ä́kų̀ | my house |
| ninkúm | nkų̀ | your (sg.) house |
| ukúm | ukų̀ | his/her house |
| dàkúm | dákų̀ | our house |
| dàkúm | dákų̀ | your (pl.) house |
| huukúm | kwäkų̀/kukų̀ | their house |
¹ Big Salmon dialect
² Pelly Crossing dialect
Tutchone is considered to be anendangered language, as its speaker population is shifting rapidly to English. In a 2011 census, Northern Tutchone was reported to have 210 speakers, and Southern Tutchone 140 speakers.[8][9]
The Yukon Native Language Center (YNLC) describes information in regards to Southern Tutchone documentation and literacy, starting from the 1970s such as stories and songs, as well as a basic noun dictionary and language lessons. After 1984, there have been additional literacy workshops. One example is the Southern Tutchone textbook and audio, made by Margaret Workman, a native Southern Tutchone speaker. This information, along with other multimedia Southern Tutchone language learning and documentation resources, is currently available through the YNLC.[10] In addition, in 1994 the Ta'an Kwach'an Council took part in an oral history and language preservation project, in which traditions, genealogy, and more information was documented.[11]
Tutchone language classes have been taught in Yukon schools since the early 1980s. Southern Tutchone language classes are included in the curriculum for students grades K-12 in schools at Kluane Lake, and three elementary schools in Whitehorse have language programs for Southern Tutchone. The St. Elias Community School in Haines Junction also offers Southern Tutchone language classes to students from K-12: one teacher handles K-4, another grades 5-12.[12] In addition, the Yukon Native Language Center provides support for schools in regards to language learning, such the "Dakeyi – Our Country" program which is focused on high school students.[10] In 2009, kindergarten classes inHaines Junction began learning Southern Tuchone in a bi-cultural program.[13]
There have been ongoing community collaborations across the Yukon in regards to Southern Tutchone, with varied camps, workshops, and programs. For example, in 1995 and 1996, the Kluane First Nations participated in the sessions of "Working Together to Pass it on", a workshop meant to promote language activities and usage at home and the community. In addition, the Southern Tutchone Tribal Council held its first language conference "Kakwaddhin – Marking the Trail" in 1996, in order to review language programs and draft long and short term strategic plans. This led to successful programs, including the "Following your Grandfather trail" camp in Klukshu in 1997.[11] Nowadays there are varied programs offered in the Yukon to continue the language revitalization efforts, such as the Southern Tutchone Language Immersion program for adults.[14] In 2018, The Champagne and Aishihik First Nation began a two-year Southern Tutchone immersion program, for adults with prior knowledge to the language. The program is under development[as of?] and is the first of its kind in the Yukon Territory.[citation needed]
Jerry Alfred's "Etsi Shon" (Grandfather song), sung in Northern Tuchone, won aJuno Award in theBest Aboriginal Album category in 1996.[15][16]
Since 2011 theAdäka Cultural Festival, an annual multi-disciplinary arts and culture festival, has been held in Whitehorse. Celebrating First Nations arts and culture, with a specific focus on Yukon First Nations,Adäka, in the Southern Tutchone language, means 'coming into the light'.[17]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link){{cite web}}:External link in|work=