Kwakʼwala

Kwakwala, also known as Kwakiutl, is a language spoken by the Kwakwaka’wakw people of British Columbia, Canada. It is a member of the Wakashan family of languages. Kwakwala is endangered, with only about 200 speakers remaining. The Kwakwaka’wakw people have a rich cultural heritage. Their traditional art is characterized by bold colors and intricate designs. The Kwakwaka’wakw are also known for their woodcarvings, totem poles, and masks. The Kwakwaka’wakw language is equally rich and complex. Kwakwala has a unique grammatical structure, and its vocabulary includes many words borrowed from other languages, such as English and French. Despite its small number of speakers, Kwakwala is not endangered. The Kwakwaka’wakw people are working to revitalize their language, and there are a number of resources available to help learners.