Non-official languages that are unique to Canada Languages of Canada

1 non-official languages unique canada

1.1 indigenous languages
1.2 pidgins, mixed languages, & trade languages

1.2.1 michif
1.2.2 basque pidgin
1.2.3 chinook jargon


1.3 sign languages

1.3.1 american sign language
1.3.2 quebec sign language
1.3.3 maritime sign language
1.3.4 inuit sign language
1.3.5 plains sign talk

1.3.5.1 plateau sign language




1.4 canadian dialects of european languages

1.4.1 canadian gaelic
1.4.2 franglais , chiac
1.4.3 ottawa valley twang
1.4.4 newfoundland english
1.4.5 welsh language
1.4.6 acadian french
1.4.7 canadian ukrainian
1.4.8 doukhobor russian
1.4.9 bungee

non-official languages unique canada
indigenous languages

canada home rich variety of indigenous languages spoken else. there 11 indigenous language groups in canada, made of more 65 distinct languages , dialects. of these, cree, inuktitut, , ojibway have large enough population of fluent speakers considered viable survive in long term. prior colonization, multilingualism common among indigenous bands, temporary , nomadic. however, reserve system has created more permanent stationary bands, have selected 1 of various ancestral languages try preserve in face of increasing anglicization.

two of canada s territories give official status native languages. in nunavut, inuktitut , inuinnaqtun, known collectively inuit language, official languages alongside national languages of english , french, , inuktitut common vehicular language in territorial government. in northwest territories, official languages act declares there eleven different languages: chipewyan, cree, english, french, gwich’in, inuinnaqtun, inuktitut, inuvialuktun, north slavey, south slavey, , tłįchǫ. besides english , french, these languages not vehicular in government; official status entitles citizens receive services in them on request , deal government in them.

according 2011 census, less 1 percent of canadians (213,485) reported indigenous language mother tongue, , less 1 percent of canadians (132,920) reported indigenous language home language.

given destruction of indigenous state structures, academics classify indigenous peoples of canada region culture areas , or indigenous language family.

arctic cultural area – (eskimo–aleut languages)
subarctic culture area – (na-dene languages – algic languages)
eastern woodlands (northeast) cultural area – (algic languages , iroquoian languages)
plains cultural area – (siouan–catawban languages)
northwest plateau cultural area – (salishan languages)
northwest coast cultural area – (haida language, tsimshianic languages , wakashan languages)



source: statistics canada, 2006 census profile of federal electoral districts (2003 representation order): language, mobility , migration , immigration , citizenship ottawa, 2007, pp. 2, 6, 10.
pidgins, mixed languages, & trade languages

in canada, elsewhere in world of european colonization, frontier of european exploration , settlement tended linguistically diverse , fluid place, cultures using different languages met , interacted. need common means of communication between indigenous inhabitants , new arrivals purposes of trade , (in cases) intermarriage led development of hybrid languages. these languages tended highly localized, spoken small number of individuals capable of speaking language, , persisted briefly, before being wiped out arrival of large population of permanent settlers, speaking either english or french.

michif

michif (also known mitchif, mechif, michif-cree, métif, métchif, , french cree) mixed language evolved within prairie métis community. based on elements of cree, ojibwa, assiniboine, , french. michif today spoken less 1,000 individuals in saskatchewan, manitoba , north dakota. @ peak, around 1900, michif understood perhaps 3 times number.

basque pidgin

algonquian–basque pidgin pidgin developed in 16th century basque in coastal areas along gulf of saint lawrence , strait of belle isle result of contact between basque whalers , local algonquian peoples.

chinook jargon

in british columbia, yukon , throughout pacific northwest pidgin language known chinook jargon emerged in 19th century combination of chinookan, nootka, chehalis, french , english, smattering of words other languages including hawaiian , spanish. words , expressions remain current in local use, such skookum, tyee, , saltchuck, while few have become part of worldwide english ( high mucketymuck or high muckamuck high-ranking , perhaps self-important official).

sign languages

attested historical ranges of sign languages of , canada excluding asl , lsq.

alongside numerous , varied oral languages, canada boasts several sign languages. currently, canada home 5 or more sign languages (that number rising probability plains sign talk language family several languages under umbrella), belonging 4 distinct language families, being: french sign language language family, banzsl family , 2 isolates (inuiuuk , plains sign talk).

as sign languages around world developed naturally, these natural, human languages distinct oral language. such, american sign language (unlike signed english) no more derivation of english russian is, being distinct languages 1 another. languages present here trade pidgins used first system of communication across national , linguistic boundaries of first nations, however, have since developed mature languages children learned them first language.

the sign languages of canada share extremely limited rights within country in large due general population s misinformation on subject. ontario province or territory formally make legal sign language, enabling use of american sign language, quebec sign language (lsq) , first nation sign language (which refer plains sign talk or other language) in domains of education, legislation , judiciary proceedings. other language afforded other rights inuiuuk sees interpretation in legislative assembly of nunavut. there have been efforts make lsq official language of quebec, efforts have failed.

american sign language

the spoken sign language in canada, american sign language or asl can found across country in anglophone regions. ties anglophone canada not due asl , english s similarity, have cultural similarities , linguistic history (as several asl words borrowed english). such, asl can found in areas english not primary language, such montreal or nunavut. asl part of french sign language family, originating on east coast of united states states mix of langue des signes françaises (lsf) , other local languages.

quebec sign language

alongside asl, quebec sign language or lsq (langue des signes québécoise) second spoken sign language in country. centred around , within quebec, lsq can found in ontario, new brunswick , various other parts of country, around francophone communities due historical ties french language. although approximately 10% of population of quebec deaf or hard-of-hearing, estimated 50,000 60,000 children use lsq native language. lsq part of francosign family asl. such, both languages mutually intelligible.

maritime sign language

maritime sign language banzsl language. used language of education deaf populations in nova scotia, new brunswick, , prince edward island before asl became available in mid-20th century. still remembered elderly people moribund. language, living alongside asl, has produced unique dialect of asl in maritimes due mixing of languages. exact number of speakers unknown.

inuit sign language

inuit sign language, known inuiuuk (inuktitut syllabics ᐃᓄᐃᐆᒃ), critically endangered language 50 speakers remaining. language isolate , has found researchers in nunavut, however, there theories extends across arctic circle. little known history, efforts being made document , revitalize language.

plains sign talk

originally trade pidgin, plains sign talk, known plains standard or plains indian sign language, became full language after children began learn language first language across many nations. plains sign talk used medium of communication across linguistic , national boundaries across continent , language stretched across provinces down through mexico. plains sign talk widespread , spectrum of dialects , accents, hosted several languages under umbrella. 1 potentially navajo sign language in use sole navajo clan.

plateau sign language

another trade pidgin may have become separate language, plateau sign language replaced plains sign talk in columbia plateau , surrounding regions of british columbia, washington, oregon, , idaho. extinct.

canadian dialects of european languages
canadian gaelic

scottish gaelic spoken many immigrants settled in maritimes , glengarry county, ontario. scottish gaelic spoken predominantly in new brunswick s restigouche river valley, central , southeastern prince edward island, , across whole of northern nova scotia—particularly cape breton island , few speakers in ontario glengarry county.

while canadian gaelic dialect has disappeared, regional pockets persist. these centred on families committed celtic traditions. nova scotia has 500–1,000 fluent speakers, in northwestern cape breton island.

there have been attempts in nova scotia institute gaelic immersion on model of french immersion. well, formal post-secondary studies in gaelic language , culture available through st. francis xavier university, saint mary s university, , gaelic college.

in 1890, private member s tabled in canadian senate, calling gaelic made canada s third official language. however, bill defeated 42–7.

franglais , chiac

a portmanteau language said combine english , french syntax, grammar , lexicons form unique interlanguage, ascribed mandatory basic french education in canadian anglophone school systems. while many canadians barely conversant in french borrow french words sentences. simple words , phrases c est quoi ça? (what that?) or words arrête (stop) can alternate english counterparts. phenomenon more common in eastern half of country there greater density of francophone populations. franglais can refer supposed degradation of french language overwhelming impact canadian english has on country s francophone inhabitants, though many linguists argue while english vocabulary can freely borrowed stylistic device, grammar of french has been resistant influences english , same conservatism holds true in canadian english grammar, in quebec city.

one interesting example of chiac, popularly combination of acadian french , canadian english, unmistakable variety of french, native maritimes (particularly new brunswick has large acadian population).

ottawa valley twang

ottawa valley twang accent, referred dialect of english, spoken in ottawa valley, in ontario. ottawa valley considered linguistic enclave within ontario.

newfoundland english

the initial european settlers newfoundland fishermen various coastal villages of english west country of cornwall, devon, dorset, somerset, bristol, , wiltshire beginning in 1500s (previously visited in summer , returned). set basic speech patterns settlers fanned out isolated coves , bays along island s 6,000 mi (9,700 km) of coastline take advantage of scattered off-shore fishing areas. labrador, today greater part of newfoundland , sparsely settled. west country dialects continued spoken in isolated coves , fjords of island preserving varied dialects of today referred newfoundland english.

it not until 1700s social disruptions in ireland sent thousands of irish southeastern counties of waterford, wexford, kilkenny, , cork , avalon peninsula in eastern part of newfoundland significant irish influence on newfoundland dialects may still heard.

some of irish immigrants newfoundland native speakers of irish making newfoundland place outside europe have own irish dialect. newfoundland place outside europe have own distinct name in irish: talamh Éisc, means land of fish . irish language extinct in newfoundland.

after 400 years, of dialectal differences between isolated settlements has leveled out beginning in 20th century when faster boats (using gas engines instead of oars or sails), , improved road connections provided easier social contact. well, influences mainland north america began affect local dialects beginning during wwii when , canadian servicemen stationed in newfoundland , accelerating after newfoundland became canadian province in 1949. lack of official orthography, publications in dialect, speaker attrition , official disinterest in promoting language has been contributing factors towards decline of speakers of older, traditional newfoundland english in original settlements.

welsh language

some welsh found in newfoundland. in part, result of welsh settlement since 17th century. also, there influx of 1,000 patagonian welsh migrated canada argentina after 1982 falklands war. welsh-argentines fluent in spanish english , welsh.

acadian french

acadian french unique form of canadian french incorporates not distinctly canadian phrases nautical terms, english loanwords, linguistic features found in older forms of french ones found in maritimer english dialect.

canadian ukrainian

canada home canadian ukrainian, distinct dialect of ukrainian language, spoken in western canada descendants of first 2 waves of ukrainian settlement in canada developed in degree of isolation cousins in austria-hungary, russian empire, poland, , soviet union.

doukhobor russian

canada s doukhobor community, in grand forks , castlegar, british columbia, has kept distinct dialect of russian. has lot in common south russian dialects, showing common features ukrainian. dialect s versions becoming extinct in home regions of georgia , russia doukhobors have split smaller groups.

bungee

the meagerly documented bungi creole (also known bungy, bungie, bungay, , red river dialect) dialect of english evolved within prairie métis community. influenced cree , scots gaelic. bungee spoken in red river area of manitoba. in 1989, @ time of academic study ever undertaken on language, 6 speakers of bungee known still alive.