Sketch of Cree, an Algonquian Language, In: Handbook of North American Indians, Vol 17: Language

1 Pages·1996·0.03 MB·English

by  Wolfart, H.C.

1. Introduction reflexes of Proto-Algonquian */ has found general
Cree is an Algonquian language spoken from the west acceptance, along with such crude labels as Plains
coastofJames Bay to thefoot(tfthe Rocky Mountains, Cree, Swampy Cree, Woods Cree, and Moose Cree
including the boreal forestjregfons ofnorthern Ontario (Lacombe 1874:xv; Michelson 1939; Wolfart 1973,
and Manitoba as well as the prairies of Saskatchewan 1992:356-359; for the controversial question of the
and Alberta. Cree speakers are estimated to number eastern delimitation of Cree proper cf. Pentland 1978;
between 60,000 and 70,000 (Canada. Indian Affairs and MacKenzie 1980). The major varieties of Cree
Branch 1970); of these, approximately 26,000 use the could be considered either highly divergent dialects
Plains Cree dialect. (vol. 6:52-53) or closely similar languages showing
In the absence of detailed dialect studies, a working considerable mutual intelligibility ("Introduction,"
390 classification of Cree dialects based on the varying table 3, this vol.).
Wolfart,H. C. 1996. Sketchof Cree,anAlgonquianLanguage.
In: Goddard,Ives (ed.) HandbookofNorthAmericanIndians
Vol17:Languages.Washington: SmithsonianInstitution.