Karuk | |
---|---|
Karok | |
Araráhih | |
Native to | United States |
Region | Northwestern California |
Ethnicity | Karuk |
Native speakers | 12 (2007)[1] |
Revival | 30 L2 speakers (2007) |
Latin | |
Language codes | |
ISO 639-3 | kyh |
Glottolog | karo1304 |
ELP | Karuk |
Karuk is classified as Severely Endangered by the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger | |
Karuk or Karok (Karok: Araráhih or Karok: Ararahih'uripih) is the traditional language of the Karuk people in the region surrounding the Klamath River, in Northwestern California. The name ‘Karuk’ is derived from the Karuk word káruk, meaning “upriver”.[2]: 397
Karuk is classified as severely endangered by UNESCO with only around 12 fluent native speakers of the language left.[3] Most members of the Karuk nation now use English in their everyday lives. Since 1949, there have been efforts to revitalize the language and increase the number of speakers led by linguists such as Dr. William Bright and Susan Gehr, as well as members of the Karuk community.