Sm'álgyax
The Tsimshian Language
This website is dedicated to the study, preservation
and revitalization of the Tsimshian language.
What is Tsimshian?
Tsimshian, or Sm'álgyax/Shim-al-gyack, is the ancestral
language of the Tsimshian people. The traditional home of the Tsimshian
people is in what is now central and northern British Columbia. Today
you will find large numbers of Tsimshians living in Metlakatla, Alaska,
on the Annette Island Reservation, as well as in larger cities and towns
up and down the west coast.
How many people speak Tsimshian?
Unfortunately, Tsimshian is a highly endangered language. Although
it is difficult to get completely accurate numbers, the best current
estimates are that there are approximately 30 fluent Tsimshian speakers
in Alaska, and about 300 speakers in Canada. Here is the somewhat
dated information available from Ethnologue.
Where can I learn to speak Tsimshian?
Intensive Tsimshian language classes are offered every year by Sealaska Heritage Institute during
its two-week Kusteeyí Workshops in Juneau and/or Ketchikan,
Alaska. Classes in Tsimshian are also available to students in School District 52,
in and around Prince Rupert, BC. College level Tsimshian classes are
also available through the University
of Northern British Columbia. Many Tsimshian language materials
can be ordered from Donna May and Tony Roberts' excellent Dum-Baal-Dum website.
Is Tsimshian related to English?
Read this paper
by Professor John Dunn and decide for yourself.
Interested in other Southeast Alaska Native languages?
Please visit our sister sites: www.haidalanguage.org and www.tlingitlanguage.org
Still have more questions?
Email us, or join our discussion list and pose your questions
to our list members.
This website is brought to you by Sealaska Heritage Institute.
Last updated: April 2, 2003
