Tutchone language

The consonants and vowels of Northern Tutchone and their orthography are as follows:{{cite book|last1=McClellan|first1=Catharine|title=Handbook of North American Indians: Subarctic|date=1978|publisher=Government Printing Office|isbn=9780160045783|page=493|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WOCL_SwWH-sC&q=tutchone+phonology&pg=PA493|chapter=Tutchone}}

Vowels are differentiated for nasalization and high, mid, and low tone.

• Nasalized: į, ų, ę, ą̈, ǫ, ą
• High tone: í, ú, é, ä́ , ó, á
• Mid tone: ī, ū, ē, ǟ, ō, ā
• Low tone: unmarked

Vowels are differentiated for nasalization and high, mid, and low tone.

• Nasalized: į, ų, ų̈, ę, ą̈, ǫ, ą
• High tone: í, ú, ǘ, é, ä́ , ó, á
• Mid tone: ī, ū, ǖ, ē, ǟ, ō, ā

Southern ({{Lang|tce|Dän kʼè}})

• Aishihik dialect
• Tàaʼan dialect
• Klukshu dialect
• Kluane dialect

Northern ({{Lang|ttm|Dän kʼí}})

• Big Salmon dialect
• Pelly Crossing dialect
• Mayo dialect
• White River dialect

The comparison of some words in the two languages:{{Cite web|url=http://www.firstvoices.com/en/Southern-Tutchone|title = FirstVoices}}

¹ Big Salmon dialect

² Pelly Crossing dialect

File:Stop sign in Southern Tutchone.JPGTutchone is considered to be an endangered 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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/language/ttm|title=Tutchone, Northern|work=Ethnologue|access-date=2017-11-01}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/language/tce|title=Tutchone, Southern|work=Ethnologue|access-date=2017-11-01}}

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.Yukon Native Language Center, (n.d.). Southern Tutchone. Retrieved from: http://www.ynlc.ca/stutchone.shtml 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.Metcalf, B., Dr. Gardner, L. & Netro, G. (1999). We Are Our Language. (pp. 96-110). Whitehorse, YT, Canada: Yukon Aboriginal Languages Services.

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.Yukon First Nations Education Resources. (2015). First Nations programs & partnerships. Web. www.yesnet.yk.ca 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. In 2009, kindergarten classes in Haines Junction began learning Southern Tuchone in a bi-cultural program.{{Cite web

|title = Launch of Southern Tutchone Bi-cultural School Program

|work = Yukon Government News Release

|access-date = 2012-11-27

|date = 2009-10-15

|url = http://www.yesnet.yk.ca/firstnations/pdf/09-10/biculturallaunch.pdf

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120608073520/http://www.yesnet.yk.ca/firstnations/pdf/09-10/biculturallaunch.pdf

|archive-date = 2012-06-08

}}

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. 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/southern-tutchone-revitalization-yukon-1.4467314|title=Southern Tutchone Language Immersion Program for Adults|last=CBC News Canada}} 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?|date=February 2023}} and is the first of its kind in the Yukon Territory.{{cn|date=February 2023}}

Jerry Alfred's "{{Lang|ttm|Etsi Shon|italic=no}}" (Grandfather song), sung in Northern Tuchone, won a Juno Award in the Best Aboriginal Album category in 1996.{{Cite news|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1996-08-01/features/9608010161_1_medicine-beat-jerry-alfred-native-american|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203040107/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1996-08-01/features/9608010161_1_medicine-beat-jerry-alfred-native-american|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 3, 2013|title=Jerry Alfred & the Medicine Beat Etsi Shon|last=Lynn Van Matre|date=1966-08-01|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=2012-11-27}}{{cite web|url=http://junoawards.ca/awards/artist-summary/?artist_name=Jerry+Alfred&submit=Search|title=Juno Awards Database|work={{URL|junoawards.ca/awards/|junoawards.ca}}|publisher=Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203014529/http://junoawards.ca/awards/artist-summary/?artist_name=Jerry+Alfred&submit=Search|archive-date=2013-12-03|access-date=20 January 2012|url-status=dead}}

Since 2011 the Adäka 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, {{Lang|tce|Adäka}}, in the Southern Tutchone language, means 'coming into the light'.{{cite web|title=Adäka Cultural Festival|url=http://www.travelyukon.com/Plan/Operators/ad%C3%A4ka-cultural-festival?ad_code=618&gclid=CL3yvcPqh9ACFQYcaQodoLUEAg|website=Travel Yukon|access-date=13 November 2016|archive-date=11 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111060846/http://www.travelyukon.com/Plan/Operators/ad%C3%A4ka-cultural-festival?ad_code=618&gclid=CL3yvcPqh9ACFQYcaQodoLUEAg|url-status=dead}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://ynlc.ca/languages/ntutchone.html Yukon Native Language Center : Northern Tutchone] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523183031/http://www.ynlc.ca/languages/ntutchone.html |date=2019-05-23 }}
• [http://ynlc.ca/languages/stutchone.html Native Language Center : Southern Tutchone] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523183036/http://www.ynlc.ca/languages/stutchone.html |date=2019-05-23 }}
• [http://www.firstvoices.ca/en/Southern-Tutchone/welcome First Voices: Southern Tutchone] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924013324/http://www.firstvoices.ca/en/Southern-Tutchone/welcome |date=2015-09-24 }}
• [http://www.freelang.net/dictionary/tutchone_southern.php Freelang Tutchone (Southern)-English dictionary]
• [http://www.language-archives.org/language/ttm OLAC resources in and about the Northern Tutchone language]
• [http://www.language-archives.org/language/tce OLAC resources in and about the Southern Tutchone language]

{{Athabaskan languages}}

{{Languages of Canada}}

Category:Northern Athabaskan languages

Category:Indigenous languages of the North American Subarctic

Category:First Nations languages in Canada

Category:Critically endangered languages

Category:Definitely endangered languages

Category:Northern Tutchone

Category:Southern Tutchone