Nłeʔkepmxcín

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Language Family: Interior Salish

Dialects: Scw’́exmxcin

Language known as: Thompson, Nlaka'pamux, Nlha7kápmx
Key Phrases
NłeʔkepmxA - Nlaka'pamux
ʔéx kʷ n̓B - Hello! (as a greeting)
hén̓łeʔ kʷC - How are you?
NłeʔkepmxcínD - Nłeʔkepmx language
kʷúpiʔE - chief
For more key phrases see the Language Resource Page

Nłeʔkepmxcín D is spoken along the Fraser River from Spuzzum to Lytton, as well as around the Thompson River and in the Nicola Valley. The Nłeʔkepmx A peoples and language are often referred to as the Thompson in older literature.

State of the Language


"About ten percent of our population speak and think in the language fluently but many more are actively learning it".1

First Nation Population Fluent Speakers Understand or Speak Somewhat Learning Speakers
Ashcroft Indian Band22293202
Boothroyd Band3266599
Boston Bar First Nation 4303324
Coldwater57621226180
Cook's Ferry529810911
Kanaka Bar Indian Band3204240
Lower Nicola Indian Band610572610577
Lytton First Nation31847364380
Nicomen Indian Band713051671
Nooaitch720245156
Oregon Jack Creek Band362010
Shackan712082030
Siska Indian Band830363840
Skuppah Indian Band3102101
Spuzzum First Nation3210063
Upper Nicola Band9863332180
Total6958154371644

Dialects

Scw’́exmxcin F


This dialect has been called: Nicola Bands

The Scw’́exmx G, "people of the creeks", speaks a different dialect from the other Nłeʔkepmxcín speaking peoples. Their territories are in areas around the town of Merritt and Nicola Lake.

Footnotes / References
1. Garcia, Bernice (2008, July 25). Interview with Bernice Garcia.
2. Language Data from Ashcroft Indian Band (2008), Language Needs Assessment #974
3. Language Data from Nlaka'pamux Nation Tribal Council (2011), Language Needs Assessment #1789
4. Language Data from Boston Bar First Nation (2010), Language Needs Assessment #1979
5. Language Data from Coldwater Indian Band (2012), Language Needs Assessment #2217
6. Language Data from Lower Nicola Indian Band (2010), Language Needs Assessment #1908
7. Language Data from Nicola Tribal Association (2012), Language Needs Assessment #2513
8. Language Data from Siska Traditions Society (2011), Language Needs Assessment #2277
9. Language Data from N'Kwala School (2007), Language Needs Assessment #970

Audio Clip References
A. Nłeʔkepmx - Garcia, Bernice (2008, July 25). Interview with Bernice Garcia.
B. ʔéx kʷ n̓ - Sam, Arthur (n.d.). Nłeʔkepmxcín Archive.
C. hén̓łeʔ kʷ - Aspinall, Martha (n.d.). Nłeʔkepmxcín Archive.
D. Nłeʔkepmxcín - Garcia, Bernice (2008, July 25). Interview with Bernice Garcia.
E. kʷúpiʔ - Fountain, Rose (n.d.). Nłeʔkepmxcín Archive.
F. Scw’́exmxcin - Garcia, Bernice (2008, July 25). Interview with Bernice Garcia.
G. Scw’́exmx - Garcia, Bernice (2008, July 25). Interview with Bernice Garcia.