View source for Coast Tsimshian dialect

{{short description|Language}}
{{Infobox language
| name             = Coast Tsimshian
| nativename       = {{lang|tsi|Sm'algya̱x}}
| states           = [[Canada]], [[United States]]
| region           = northwest [[British Columbia]], southeast [[Alaska]]
| ethnicity        = 8,162 [[Tsimshian]]
| speakers         = 275 in Canada, 3 in the United States
| date             = 2016 census, 2020
| ref              = <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/hlt-fst/lang/Table.cfm?Lang=E&T=41&Geo=01|title=Language Highlight Tables, 2016 Census - Aboriginal mother tongue, Aboriginal language spoken most often at home and Other Aboriginal language(s) spoken regularly at home for the population excluding institutional residents of Canada, provinces and territories, 2016 Census – 100% Data|publisher=Government of Canada, Statistics|website=www12.statcan.gc.ca|date=2 August 2017|language=en|access-date=2017-11-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/language/tsi|title=Tsimshian|work=Ethnologue|access-date=2018-03-30|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/Portals/4/pub/ANLPAC/ANLPAC%202020%20Report%20to%20the%20Governor%20and%20Legislature.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200330185515/https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/Portals/4/pub/ANLPAC/ANLPAC%202020%20Report%20to%20the%20Governor%20and%20Legislature.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 30, 2020 |title=2020 Biennial Report to the Governor and Legislature |publisher=Alaska Native Language Preservation & Advisory Council}}</ref>
| familycolor      = penutian
| fam1             = [[Tsimshianic languages|Tsimshianic]]
| fam2             = Maritime Tsimshian
| nation           = {{flag|Alaska}}<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2014/04/21/305688602/alaska-oks-bill-making-native-languages-official|title = Alaska OKs Bill Making Native Languages Official|newspaper = NPR|date = 21 April 2014|last1 = Chappell|first1 = Bill}}</ref>
| iso2             = tsi
| iso3             = tsi
| iso3comment      = (with [[Southern Tsimshian dialect|Sgüüx̣s]])
| glotto           = coas1300
| glottorefname    = Coast Tsimshian
| notice           = IPA
| map2             = Lang Status 20-CR.svg
| mapcaption2      = {{center|{{small|Tsimshian is classified as Critically Endangered by the [[UNESCO]] ''[[Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger]]''<ref>{{cite report |title=Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger |publisher=UNESCO |edition=3rd |url=https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000187026 |date=2010 |page=7}}</ref>}}}}
| map              = File:Tsimshianic_map.svg
| mapcaption       = {{legend|#9ac79c|Coast Tsimshian}}
}}
{{Infobox ethnonym|root=|person=|people=[[Tsimshian|Ts’msyan]]|language=Sm'álgya̱x|country=La̱xyuubm Ts’msyen<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Armstrong |first1=Chelsey Geralda |last2=Lyons |first2=Natasha |last3=McAlvay |first3=Alex C. |last4=Ritchie |first4=Patrick Morgan |last5=Lepfsky |first5=Dana |last6=Blake |first6=Michael |title=Historical ecology of forest garden management in Laxyuubm Ts'msyen and beyond |journal=Ecosystems and People |date=2023 |volume=19 |issue=1 |doi=10.1080/26395916.2022.2160823 |bibcode=2023EcoPe..1960823A |doi-access=free }}</ref>}}

'''Tsimshian,''' known by its speakers as '''Sm'algya̱x''',<ref>{{cite web |title=Sm'álgyax: The Tsimshian Language |url=http://www.tsimshianlanguage.org/ |access-date=10 August 2012 |date=13 April 2012 |archive-date=11 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111163835/http://www.tsimshianlanguage.org/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> is a dialect of the [[Tsimshian language]] spoken in northwestern [[British Columbia]] and southeastern [[Alaska]].  {{lang|tsi|Sm'algya̱x}} means literally 'real or true language'.

The linguist [[Tonya Stebbins]] estimated the number of speakers of Tsimshian in 2001 as around 400 and in 2003 as 200 or fewer (see references below).  Whichever figure is more accurate, she added in 2003 that most speakers are over 70 in age and very few are under 50.  About 50 of an ethnic population of 1,300 Tsimshian in Alaska speak the language.

==Phonology==

===Vowels===
Next to transcriptions in the [[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]] are the conventional orthography in angle brackets.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="3" | 
! rowspan="2" colspan="2" | [[Front vowel|Front]]
! colspan="4" | [[Back vowel|Back]]
|-
! colspan="2" | [[Unrounded vowel|Unrounded]]
! colspan="2" | [[rounded vowel|Rounded]]
|-
! <small>[[Short vowel|short]]</small> || <small>[[Long vowel|long]]</small>
! <small>short</small> || <small>long</small>
! <small>short</small> || <small>long</small>
|-
! [[High vowel|High]]
| {{IPA link|ɪ}} {{angbr|i}}
| {{IPA link|i}} {{angbr|ii}}
| {{IPA link|ɯ}} {{angbr|ü}}
| {{IPA link|ɯː}} {{angbr|üü}}
| {{IPA link|ʊ}} {{angbr|u}}
| {{IPA link|u}} {{angbr|uu}}
|-
! [[Mid vowel|Mid]]
| {{IPA link|ɛ}} {{angbr|e}}
| {{IPA link|e}} {{angbr|ee}}
| {{IPA link|ʌ}} {{angbr|a}}
| 
| {{IPA link|ɔ}} {{angbr|o}}
| {{IPA link|ɔː}} {{angbr|oo}}
|-
! [[Low vowel|Low]]
| {{IPA link|æ}} {{angbr|a}}
| {{IPA link|æː}} {{angbr|aa}}
| 
| 
| 
| {{IPA link|ɒ}} {{angbr|a̱}}
|}

The unrounded mid back vowel can either be the long {{IPAblink|a}} or the short and slightly raised {{IPAblink|ʌ}} depending on context. [[John Asher Dunn]] assumes this vowel as the schwa {{IPAblink|ə}}.{{sfn|Dunn|1995}}

Underlining {{IPA|/a/}} is optional for indicating the back long vowel, and fluent speakers will usually omit it.

Dunn's representation of the high back vowel seems to be slightly more forward than the IPA equivalent, since he uses the phonetic symbols {{IPA|[ɨ̈]}} or {{IPA|[ɪ̈]}}.

===Consonants===
First symbol is [[International Phonetic Alphabet|IPA]], then the conventional orthography equivalent is given in brackets.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
! rowspan=2 colspan=2|
! rowspan=2 | [[Labial consonant|Labial]]
! colspan=3 | [[Alveolar consonant|Alveolar]]
! rowspan=2 | [[Palatal consonant|Palatal]]
! colspan=2 | [[Velar consonant|Velar]]
! rowspan=2 | [[Uvular consonant|Uvular]]
! rowspan=2 | [[Glottal consonant|Glottal]]
|-
! <small>plain</small> || <small>[[sibilant]]</small> || <small>[[Lateral consonant|lateral]]</small>
! <small>plain</small> || <small>[[Labialization|labial]]</small>
|-
! rowspan=3| [[Plosive]]
! <small>voiceless</small>
| {{IPA link|p}}
| {{IPA link|t}}
| {{IPA link|ts}}
|
| {{IPA link|c}} {{angbr|ky}}
| {{IPA link|k}}
| {{IPA link|kʷ}} {{angbr|kw}}
| {{IPA link|q}} {{angbr|ḵ}}
| {{IPA link|ʔ}} {{angbr|ʼ}}
|-
! <small>[[Ejective consonant|ejective]]</small>
| {{IPA link|pʼ}} {{angbr|pʼ}}
| {{IPA link|tʼ}} {{angbr|tʼ}}
| {{IPA link|t͡sʼ}} {{angbr|tsʼ}}
|
| {{IPA link|cʼ}} {{angbr|kʼy}}
| {{IPA link|kʼ}} {{angbr|kʼ}}
| {{IPA link|kʷʼ}} {{angbr|kʼw}}
| {{IPA link|qʼ}} {{angbr|ḵʼ}}
|
|-
! <small>[[Voiced consonant|voiced]]</small>
| {{IPA link|b}}
| {{IPA link|d}}
| {{IPA link|dz}}
|
| {{IPA link|ɟ}} {{angbr|gy}}
| {{IPA link|ɡ}}
| {{IPA link|gʷ}} {{angbr|gw}}
| {{IPA link|ɢ}} {{angbr|g̲}}
|
|-
! colspan="2"| [[Fricative]]
|
|
| {{IPA link|s}}{{efn|Both [[John Asher Dunn]]{{sfn|Dunn|1995}} and [[Franz Boas]] (as reported by A.C. Graf von der Schulenberg{{sfn|Schulenberg|1992}}) find that the fricative {{IPA|/s/}} has two variants: {{IPAblink|s}} or {{IPAblink|ʃ}}.}}
| {{IPA link|ɬ}} {{angbr|ł}}
|
|
|
| {{IPA link|χ}} {{angbr|x}}
| {{IPA link|h}}
|-
! rowspan=2|[[Sonorant]]
! <small>plain</small>
| {{IPA link|m}}
| {{IPA link|n}}
|
| {{IPA link|l}}
| {{IPA link|j}} {{angbr|y}}
| {{IPA link|ɰ}} {{angbr|ẅ}}{{efn|The velar glide {{IPAslink|ɰ}} {{angbr|ẅ}} is a "w pronounced with lips unrounded".{{sfn|Dunn|1995}}}}
| {{IPA link|w}}
|
|
|-
! <small>[[Glottalization|glottalized]]</small>
| {{IPA link|mˀ}} {{angbr|ʼm}}
| {{IPA link|nˀ}} {{angbr|ʼn}}
|
| {{IPA link|lˀ}} {{angbr|ʼl}}
| {{IPA link|jˀ}} {{angbr|ʼy}}
| {{IPA link|ɰˀ}} {{angbr|ʼẅ}}
| {{IPA link|wˀ}} {{angbr|ʼw}}
|
|
|}
{{notelist}}

The [[glottalization]] diacritic {{angbr| ' }} may be switched to the other side of a velar segment depending on whether it falls pre-, post- or intervocalically. In speech, glottalized segments before a vowel will result in simultaneous realization of both, {{IPAblink|kʼ}}. Glottalized segments that follow vowels produce the glottalization first, then the consonant closure, {{IPA|[ʼk]}}. Intervocalically, the glottalization depends on where the stress falls. {{IPA|[ʼk]}} is pronounced after a stressed syllable, and {{IPA|[kʼ]}} is pronounced before a stress.

===Syllable structure===
Tsimshian utilizes (C)CV or (C)CVC(C) [[syllable]] structures in which the vowels can occur [[Vowel Length|long]] or [[Vowel Length|short]]. [[Syllabic consonant]]s are common and can technically occur anywhere within the word. The only consonants that qualify as syllabic (indicated optionally by underlining) are the [[sonorant]]s {{IPA|/m/}}, {{IPA|/n/}} and {{IPA|/l/}} (and their [[Glottalization|glottalized]] counterparts). (Some writers will follow the [[Gitksan]] orthographic practice of writing the syllabic [[sonorant]]s as {{IPA|/im/}}, {{IPA|/in/}} and {{IPA|/il/}}.{{sfn|Dunn|1995}})

Examples:
* {{IPA|/hæj.mæː.dm/}} "northeast wind"
* {{IPA|/n.læk/}} "fireplace"
* {{IPA|/k’l.k’oːl/}} plural of intransitive verb "dull"

Consonant clusters are common. Schulenberg reports finding {{IPA|/pt, pts, ptl, kts, qp, qtk, qtsc, qsk, nts, tɟ/}} among many others, though only a smaller portion can occur in the [[Syllable rime|rime]].{{sfn|Schulenberg|1992}} Note that these clusters do not contain syllabic consonants, but are only either in the [[Syllable onset|onset]] or the [[Syllable coda|coda]]. Clusters at the ends of words often have an [[Epenthesis|epenthetic vowel]] inserted, which is usually {{IPA|/a/ [ʌ]}} but can also be either {{IPA|/i/ [ɪ]}} or {{IPA|/ɯ/ [ɯ]}}.

Examples (with other phonological changes):
* {{IPA|/ɟelq/ → [ɟelaɢ]}} "outside"
* {{IPA|/æːlks/ → [æːliks]}} "servant"
* {{IPA|/ʌʔʌjæːɰx/ → [æːjæːwɯx]}} "Aurora Borealis, Northern Lights"

===Vowel pitch===
The [[Vowel length|long vowels]] of Tsimshian must be pronounced in one of three distinct ways: with a sustained pitch {{IPA|/eː/ → [eː]}}; a "falling pitch and offglide"{{sfn|Dunn|1995}} {{IPA|/eː/ → [êə]}}, or with the insertion of a glottal stop {{IPA|/eː/ → [eʔe]}}. In every day writing, the diacritical marks may be left out, so that the first two could be written {{angbr|ee}}, whereas it is common to represent {{IPA|[eʔe]}}.

Examples:
* (steady pitch) {{IPA|[kpiːl]}} "ten" (of abstract and round objects)
* (falling pitch) {{IPA|[nôsɯ]}} "wolverine"
* (glottal interruption) {{IPA|[χbæʔælʌ]}} "squall; storm from the south"

===Stress===
The primary stress generally falls on the last syllable of a word. In the case of a suffix or connective being added, then the stress falls on the penultimate syllable.

===Phonological processes===
There are a number of complex [[Phonology|phonological]] processes that affect segments. The following is just a sample of some of the changes that may occur. 
* Short vowels followed by {{IPA|/l/}} often become long vowels with {{IPA|/l/}}-deletion.
*: {{IPA|/wælp/}} → {{IPA|/wæːp/}} "house"
* Glottalized {{IPA|/k/}} and {{IPA|/q/}} between vowels are often shortened to just a glottal stop.
*: {{IPA|/sɒk’æɬ/}} → [sɒʔæɬ] "divide, settle an estate"
* At the ends of words {{IPA|/q/}} may undergo [[lenition]] to {{IPA|/χ/}}.
*: {{IPA|/iːmq/}} → {{IPA|/imχ/}} "beard"
* A short vowel may be lengthened if the primary stress falls on it.
*: {{IPA|/χæ/}} → {{IPA|/χæː/}} "male slave"
* {{IPA|/l/}} and {{IPA|/n/}} may alternate in [[reduplication]].
*: {{IPA|/c’inˀæm/}} → {{IPA|/c’ilc’inˀæm/}} "give"
* Long vowels may become [[diphthong]]s.{{efn|The existence of diphthongs is questionable. Schulenberg claims that Franz Boas "always heard the individual vowels pronounced separately."{{sfn|Schulenberg|1992}} Dunn, however, seems to believe that younger speakers will realize a  diphthong.{{sfn|Dunn|1995}} There may have been a change in the pronunciation since Schulenberg's research in 1894 and Dunn's subsequent work starting in the 1968. In any event, diphthongs are rare.}}
*: {{IPA|/ɬoːl/}} → {{IPA|/ɬoʊ̯l/}} "push through the water"

==Orthography==
In the practical orthography, uvulars are indicated by underlining the velar letters, {{angbr|ḵ g̲}}, and the position of the apostrophe before or after the consonant letter distinguishes [[glottalization]].

The Tsimshian orthography in use today is based on that developed by Tsimshianicists since the 1960s. It originally stems from Bruce Rigsby's work on the [[Gitksan language]] and includes [[John Asher Dunn|John A. Dunn]]'s work on Tsimshian and [[Marie-Lucie Tarpent]]'s work on [[Nisga'a language|Nisga'a]] and [[Southern Tsimshian language|Southern Tsimshian]].  Dunn, Tarpent, and Susan Marsden substantially revised it for School District No. 52 (Prince Rupert) when preparing the ''Suwilaay'msga Na Ga'niiyatgm, Teachings of Our Grandfathers'' book series in the early 1990s, with the blessing of the Tsimshian hereditary chiefs.  Since then, the orthography and the recording of the language have largely been conducted by the Tsimshian Sm'algyax Authority. The Living Legacy Talking Dictionary provides both written and spoken samples of the language.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sm’algyax Living Legacy Talking Dictionary |website=University of Northern British Columbia |url=https://web.unbc.ca/~smalgyax/}}</ref>

Another orthography, used only in Alaska, is taught by a private organization called Dum Baal-dum.<ref>{{cite web |title=Orthography |website=Dum Baal-dum |url=http://www.dumbaaldum.org/html/orthography.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509232802/http://www.dumbaaldum.org/html/orthography.htm |archive-date=May 9, 2012}}</ref>

==Morphology==
Tsimshian can be classified as a  [[polysynthetic language]], although it is less so than other Native North American languages. Tense, for instance, is not marked with the verb, but always appears as a separate pre-verbal word. The verb stands out as the most important word in the sentence—much of the information can be expressed by [[affix]]ing onto it. Nouns, however, do have a number of [[clitic]]s that may be attached.{{sfn|Schulenberg|1992}} There are multiple connectors that are [[Suffixes|suffixed]] or [[Prefixes|prefixed]] onto adjacent words which can create long strings of lexical items.

===Forming the plural===
====Reduplication====
Tsimshian has an extensive system of [[reduplication]], which is used in most cases to form the plural of both nouns and verbs. There is a complex set of phonological processes that affect both the vowel and the consonant in reduplication. Schulenberg records at least 12 different classes of reduplication but Dunn later condenses these to just five, depending on which part of the word is copied, and whether it is [[Prefixes|prefixed]], [[Suffixes|suffixed]] or [[Infixes|infixed]]. However, each class contains irregular forms.

{| class="wikitable"
!
! Pattern
! Example
|-
! Class I
| /CVk-/
| {{lang|tsi|yexł}} {{gloss|spit (verb)}} → {{lang|tsi|yikyexł}} {{gloss|spit (plural)}}
|-
! Class II
| /CVx-/
| {{lang|tsi|da’axłk}} {{gloss|able}} → {{lang|tsi|daxda’axłk}} {{gloss|able (plural)}}
|-
! Class III
| /CVC-/
| {{lang|tsi|dal}} {{gloss|fight}} → {{lang|tsi|dildal}} {{gloss|fights}}
|-
! Class IV
| /CV-/
| {{lang|tsi|siipk}} {{gloss|sick (verb)}} → {{lang|tsi|sipsiipk}} {{gloss|sick (plural)}}
|-
! Class V
| /-V/ or /-VC/<br />{{small|(can be infixed or suffixed after primary syllable)}}
| {{lang|tsi|yuutsk}} {{gloss|necklace}} → {{lang|tsi|yu’itsk}} {{gloss|necklaces}}
|}

====Distributives====
Besides reduplication, plurals can also be formed by adding lexical [[clitics]]. Prefixing or infixing {{lang|tsi|g̲a}} acts as a distributive. It is best translated as "each one his/her own". The words that take this prefix usually have a specific relation to an individual, such as body parts, clothing and kin.

* g̱oot 'heart'→ g̱a̱g̱oot 'hearts'
* agwinabiip 'great uncle' → agwig̱a̱nabiip 'great uncles'

====Iteratives====
The word {{lang|tsi|gyik}} 'again' may be prefixed to form some plurals, especially those referring to time.

* {{lang|tsi|suunt}} "summer"→ {{lang|tsi|gyiksuunt}} "summers"

====Intensives====
The word for 'very' ''luk'wil'' be shortened to {{lang|tsi|lu-}} and pre- or infixed  onto some words to form the plural. This process may result in extremely divergent forms, because of phonological processes.

* {{lang|tsi|hadiks}} 'swim' → la̱heediks 'swim (plural)'

====[[Isomorphic]]s and Suppletives====
Finally, some plural forms are the same as the singular ({{lang|tsi|lak}} "fire" → {{lang|tsi|lak}} "fires") and some words have suppletive plurals, where there is no morphological relationship between the two: ({{lang|tsi|waa}} "name" → {{lang|tsi|uust}} "names").

===Suffixes===
====Derivational Suffixes====
There are ten [[suffixes]] that may be attached to words to [[Derivation (linguistics)|derive]] words with meanings related in some way to the original morpheme . These suffixes can change either the grammatical relationship and/or the grammatical function. The names for the types listed below are shortened descriptions of those provided by Dunn.

* '''Consequential:''' {{lang|tsi|-x}} (sometimes {{lang|tsi|-ḵ}}). The derived form is the consequence of or has been affected by the stem.
*: {{lang|tsi|ḵ'o'a̱l}} "forget" → {{lang|tsi|ḵ'oolax}} "dull; warm one's back by the fire"
* '''Instrumental:''' {{lang|tsi|-t}}. The derived form is a person or thing that uses the stem in some way.
*: {{lang|tsi|gyemk}} "sun, moon" → {{lang|tsi|gyemga̱t}} "astronomer"
* '''Purposive:''' both {{lang|tsi|-l}} and {{lang|tsi|-n}}. These two suffixes indicate that the stem is the goal or intention of a person, thing or action.
*: {{lang|tsi|buu}} "blow, sound (of a whale)" → {{lang|tsi|buul}} "warn"
* '''Singularly Qualitative:''' {{lang|tsi|-k}}. The derived form shares a single quality with the root.
*: {{lang|tsi|gwisgwaas}} "bluejay" → {{lang|tsi|gwisgwaask}} "blue"
* '''Plurally Qualitative:''' {{lang|tsi|-s, -sk, -ts}} (sometimes {{lang|tsi|-k}}). The derived form is in many respects similar to the root.
*: {{lang|tsi|yuutk}} "carry around the neck" → {{lang|tsi|'yutisk}} "necklace"
* '''Metaphorical:''' {{lang|tsi|-tk}}. The derived form has a metaphorical relationship with the stem.
*: {{lang|tsi|łoo}} "drift, swim (fish)" → {{lang|tsi|ło'otk}} "clouds"

====Lexical Suffixes====
There are five lexically [[Derivation (linguistics)|derived]] [[morphemes]] that can be attached to words to alter the meaning. The affixed morphemes can be extremely altered from their original forms, sometimes according to phonological rules, sometimes arbitrarily. Usually the suffix root is shortened to one syllable before it is attached.{{sfn|Dunn|1995|pp=36-37}}

# {{lang|tsi|aks}} "water" → {{lang|tsi|ts’ala̰ks}} "whirlpool"  ({{lang|tsi|ts’al}} "eye")
# {{lang|tsi|g̲an}} "tree; wood; stick" → {{lang|tsi|batsgn}} "arrive in a boat" ({{lang|tsi|batsk}} "arrive")
# {{lang|tsi|gyet}} "man" →  {{lang|tsi|gyitwaalgyit}} "raiders"   ({{lang|tsi|gyitwaal}} "attack")
# {{lang|tsi|ban}} "belly" → {{lang|tsi|waaybn}} "pregnant (for dogs and disparagingly for women)"  ({{lang|tsi|waay}} "paddle")
# {{lang|tsi|diilmx}} "respond"  This suffix is used to describe languages, so the language of the [[Haida people|Haida]] would be {{lang|tsi|haydmx}}

===Proclitics===
Below is a sample list of some of the many [[Clitics|proclitics]] in Tsimshian. Attached to nouns and verbs, they may convey locative, aspectual, modal, case relational and lexical information. The following descriptions of the prefixes are intended to convey what sort of position the object or person is in. So {{lang|tsi|lax-}}  can be used to express the top of the foot, because it has the properties of being "above" and "parallel", and {{lang|tsi|t'm-}} could be used for the backbone, because it has the properties of being "above" and "perpendicular". "Tangent" indicates that the object or action is taking place next to, or alongside of something. "Efferent" refers to going away from the action.

====[[Locative]]====
{{columns-start}}
; Stative:
* {{lang|tsi|lax-}} tangent, above, parallel
* {{lang|tsi|t'm-}} tangent, above, perpendicular
* {{lang|tsi|lag̲ax}} tangent, not above, bilateral
* {{lang|tsi|łüü-, łüükłi-, łüükwłi-}} proximate, below
* {{lang|tsi|na̰k-}} proximate, not below
* {{lang|tsi|alo-, alu-}} remote, below
{{column}}
; Motional
* {{lang|tsi|ksi-, ksa-, ksü-, xsa-}} internal source, efferent
* {{lang|tsi|g̲ałdik-}} internal source, efferent, ascending
* {{lang|tsi|txa-}} internal source, efferent, descending
* {{lang|tsi|bax-}} tangent source, tangent goal, ascending, parageographic
* {{lang|tsi|dzag̲am-}} geographic, upstream
* {{lang|tsi|uks-}} geographic, out to sea
{{column}}
; [[Grammatical aspect|aspect]]ual
* {{lang|tsi|si-, sü-, su-}} beginning, inception
* {{lang|tsi|adigul-}} continual, enduring
* {{lang|tsi|huk-}} habitual
* {{lang|tsi|gwüldm}} beforehand
* {{lang|tsi|wil-}} subsequent
{{column}}
; [[Grammatical mood|Modal]]
* {{lang|tsi|ap-, a̰b-}} certain
* {{lang|tsi|kbi-, xbi-}} not really, half
* {{lang|tsi|liks-, lüks-}} different, strange
* {{lang|tsi|sis-, süs-}} play, pretend
* {{lang|tsi|sm-}} real genuine (as in {{lang|tsi|sm'algyax}} "true language")
{{column}}
; Case
* {{lang|tsi|ha-}} instrumental
* {{lang|tsi|ha'ali-}} place or time for
* {{lang|tsi|sa̰-, si-, sü-, s-}} causative
* {{lang|tsi|xs-}} resemble
{{columns-end}}

====Lexical====
Like the lexical suffixes, these proclitics derive from existing morphemes and can alter the stem meaning in various ways. Proclitics are much more common than suffixes; only a small list is provided.

* {{lang|tsi|aam}} "good" → {{lang|tsi|amadaalḵ}} "praise, worship" ({{lang|tsi|daalg̲}} "rebuke; scold")
* {{lang|tsi|gwa̰s}} "blanket" → {{lang|tsi|gwisg̲an}} "cedar bark mat coat; raincoat" ({{lang|tsi|g̲an}} "tree")
* {{lang|tsi|gyełk}} "to stab" → {{lang|tsi|gyiłts'ax}} "nose-ring" ({{lang|tsi|ts'a̰ḵ}} "nose")
* {{lang|tsi|ts'usk}} "little" → {{lang|tsi|ts'übaa}} "lame (run a short distance)" ({{lang|tsi|baa}} "run")
* {{lang|tsi|'wiileeks}} "big" → {{lang|tsi|'wiiḵ'ooli}} "one with long hair" ({{lang|tsi|ḵ'ooli}} "scalp")

==Syntax==
Tsimshian is an [[ergative–absolutive]] language. Although nominal and verbal marking allows syntax to be freer than English, word order is still an important aspect of the phrase. The basic word order for [[transitive verb|transitive]] and [[intransitive verb|intransitive]] sentences is:

{| class="wikitable"
! Intransitive
! Transitive
|-
| {{interlinear|lang=tsi|glossing2=yes|glossing3=yes
 |yagwa baas Meli
 |TEMP run Mary
 |TEMP VERB ABS
 |"Mary is running."{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}
}}
| {{interlinear|lang=tsi|glossing2=yes|glossing3=yes
 |ładm ḵ'ag̲a 'yuuta liksoog̲ada haḵ'ag̲a
 |TEMP open man door key.INS
 |TEMP VERB ERG ABS IO.INS/BEN/LOC
 |"A man is about to open a door with a key."{{sfn|Dunn|1995|p=62}}
}}
|}

Inversions to this order are permitted. To place specific emphasis on the ergative noun ([[topicalization]]), it may be moved to the front of the phrase with the subsequent changes: temporal marker + {{lang|tsi|-t}} and {{lang|tsi|in-}} + verb. However, this order is only permitted if the topicalized ergative is a pronoun (independent, demonstrative, interrogative or relative). Proper nouns are never placed first in the sentence, except in a [[vocative]] sense. Any absolutive noun may be topicalized as well with the following changes: temporal marker + {{lang|tsi|t}} and verb + {{lang|tsi|da}}. (Dunn has shown that the affixed particles on the temporal marker and the verb are falling out of use among the younger generation. It now is quite "formal" to use either in speech.{{sfn|Dunn|1995}}

===Verb phrase===
The basic [[verb phrase]] in Tsimshian is ordered: TEMPORAL MARKER, verb. However, many of the [[Noun Phrase|noun phrases]] in the sentence can be represented on both the verb and/or the temporal marker as pre-, in- or suffixes. There are five temporal markers which can combine to form various tenses or aspects. 
* {{lang|tsi|nah}}: (perfective) {{lang|tsi|nah dzap}} "already made"
* {{lang|tsi|dm}}: (future/progressive) {{lang|tsi|dm dzap}} "will make", "is going to make", "is making"
* {{lang|tsi|ła}}: (near to present) {{lang|tsi|ła dzap}} "just beginning to make"
* {{lang|tsi|wil}}: (sequentially following) {{lang|tsi|wil dzap}} "and then made"
* {{lang|tsi|yagwa}}: (present-only with action verbs) {{lang|tsi|yagwa dzap}} "be making right now," "is now making"

Some combined temporal expressions:
* {{lang|tsi|ła-dm dzap}}: "just about to start making"
* {{lang|tsi|nah ła-wil dzap}} "and then just finished making"
* {{lang|tsi|dm ła-wil dzap}} "and now  just about to start making"

===Noun phrase===
The basic noun phrase is ordered as: NUMERICAL MARKER, adjective, noun, determinater, possessive. A numerical marker and a [[determiner (linguistics)|determiner]] cannot appear in the same phrase together.

====Numbers====
Similar to [[Classifier (linguistics)|classifiers]] in other languages, there are seven different counting systems depending on what is being counted. Abstract entities, flat objects and animals, round objects and units of time, human beings, long objects, canoes and lastly, measurements, all must be counted differently.{{sfn|Schulenberg|1992}} The numeral gets an {{lang|tsi|-a}} connective if it ends in a stop, affricate or fricative. 
* {{lang|tsi|gu'pl uwalp}} "two houses"
* {{lang|tsi|t'apxaada guksłüüsk}} "two shirts"
* {{lang|tsi|t'apxaaduul hana'nax}} "two women"
* {{lang|tsi|guladaada hana'nax}} "two women aboard (some conveyance)"
* {{lang|tsi|g̲abeeltk g̲axsoo}} "two canoes"

====[[Adjectives]]====
Like numerals, adjectives appear before the noun they modify. They take an {{lang|tsi|-m}} connective as well as match the noun in number (singular or plural). If both a numeral and an adjective appear together, the numeral always precedes the adjective. 
* {{lang|tsi|siipgm haasa}} "a sick dog"
* {{lang|tsi|txalpxdool al'alg̲m smgyigyet}} "four angry chiefs"

====[[determiner (linguistics)|Determiners]]====
[[determiner (linguistics)|Determiner]]s follow the noun they modify and the noun gets a connective {{lang|tsi|-a}} suffix. There are six determinative words:
* {{lang|tsi|gwa'a}} "here, close to speaker"
* {{lang|tsi|gwasga}} "over there, that way"
* {{lang|tsi|doni}} "over there"
* {{lang|tsi|awaan}} "over there" (close to hearer)
* {{lang|tsi|gwi}} definite ("the")
* {{lang|tsi|ta'a}} for deceased kin only

====Possessives====
Possession is shown by placing the possessing noun after the object being possessed, which gets an {{lang|tsi|-a}} connective. If the object being possessed is not considered to be closely connected to the owner in some way (body parts, clothing, kin) then the object also gets a {{lang|tsi|na-}} prefix. 
* {{lang|tsi|gyigyeda huwaap}} "The color of the houses"
* {{lang|tsi|nahoon 'yuuta}} "the man's fish"

====[[Ergative-absolutive language|Ergatives]]====
If the verb is transitive then the agent of the verb is treated as an ergative and the object as an absolutive. In these cases, the temporal marker receives the suffix {{lang|tsi|-t}}, the verb receives {{lang|tsi|-da}} and the ergative noun itself has an {{lang|tsi|-a}} suffix. (Proper nouns require variant suffixes.)

{{interlinear|lang=tsi|indent=3|glossing3=yes
|Yagwat niisda ts'uu'tsa laalt
|yagwa-t niits-da ts'uu'ts-a laalt
|TEMP see bird worm
|"The bird sees the worm."{{sfn|Dunn|1995|p=60}}
}}

Transitive sentences in which the verb is closely related to the absolutive can actually allow the noun to be attached onto the verb, a process called incorporation. A verbal connector {{lang|tsi|-m-}} is then used to suffix the noun onto the verb.

{{interlinear|lang=tsi|indent=3|glossing3=yes
|ławil aadmhoonu
|ławil aat-m-hoon-u
|TEMP seine(verb)-CONN-fish(noun)-I
|"And then I was just now seining for fish (fish-seining)."{{sfn|Dunn|1995|p=61}}
}}

====[[Absolutive]]s====
When an intransitive verb is used, the agent of the verb is treated as an absolutive. If the absolutive directly follows the verb then the verb receives an {{lang|tsi|-a}} suffix. (Proper nouns again require different suffixes.)

{{interlinear|lang=tsi|indent=3|glossing3=yes
|Nah siipga hana'a
|nah siipk-a hana'a
|TEMP sick woman
|"the woman was sick"{{sfn|Dunn|1995|p=60}}
}}

===Pronominals===
Much of the information appearing in a [[noun phrase]] can be expressed on the verb phrase as a [[pronominal]]. [[Ergative-absolutive language|Ergative]] and [[absolutive]] phrases affix onto the verb phrase and take a different form depending on person and number. Below are the most common forms of absolutive suffixes, although depending on the tense, different suffixes are applicable.

{| class="wikitable"
!
! Singular
! Plural
|-
! 1st Person
| {{lang|tsi|-u}}
| {{lang|tsi|-m}}
|-
! 2nd Person
| {{lang|tsi|-n}}
| {{lang|tsi|-sm}}
|-
! 3rd Person
| {{lang|tsi|-t}}
| {{lang|tsi|-t}}
|}

{{interlinear|lang=tsi|indent=3
|ładm baayu
|TEMP run.I
|"I'm about to run"{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}
}}

{{interlinear|lang=tsi|indent=3
|ła ḵ'olt
|TEMP run(PL).they
|"They're just now running."{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}
}}

If there is an (unmarked) ergative noun in the sentence along with the absolutive pronoun, the temporal marker also gets a suffixed {{lang|tsi|-t}}.

{{interlinear|lang=tsi|indent=3
|ławilt niidzu ol
|TEMP see.me bear
|"And just now the bear has seen me."{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}
}}

Dunn has found that some temporal markers take a suffix and others do not. It seems to be "a matter of local and personal style".{{sfn|Dunn|1995}}

Ergative pronominals appear before the verb on the temporal marker as infixes or suffixes. Some tense markers call for different affixes. With the perfective tense {{lang|tsi|nah}}, for instance, the ergative suffixes are identical to the absolutive suffixes. Below is the most common form of ergative affix.

{| class="wikitable"
!
! Singular
! Plural
|-
! 1st person
| {{lang|tsi|-n-}}
| {{lang|tsi|-dip-}}
|-
! 2nd person
| {{lang|tsi|-m-}}
| {{lang|tsi|-m-sm-}}
|-
! 3rd person
| {{lang|tsi|-t-}}
| {{lang|tsi|-t-}}
|}

{{interlinear|lang=tsi|indent=3
|ładipwil lu'niidza ol awaan
|{TEMP we TEMP} see(PL) bear there.by.you
|"And just now we have seen those bears by you."{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}
}}

Both pronominals can occur in one sentence:

{{interlinear|lang=tsi|indent=3
|łan dzagwat
|{TEMP I} {kill(SG) it/him/her/them}
|"I am about to kill it/him/her/them."{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}
}}

==Linguists and other scholars who have worked on the Tsimshian language==
* [[Margaret Seguin Anderson]]
* [[William Beynon]]
* [[Franz Boas]]
* [[John Asher Dunn]]
* [[Susan Marsden]]
* [[Jean Mulder]]
* [[Odille Morison]]
* [[William Ridley (bishop)|Bishop William Ridley]]
* [[Fumiko Sasama]]
* [[Tonya Stebbins]]
* [[Marie-Lucie Tarpent]]
* [[Donna May Roberts]]
* [[Alfred T. Braithwaite]]
* Ahl'lidaaw Gitnack'angeak
* John Reese
* Victoria Mckoy
* David Lang
* [[The Haayk Foundation]]

==See also==
* For the Tsimshian peoples see [[Tsimshian]], [[Gitxsan]], and [[Nisga'a]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Sources===
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book
 |ref={{sfnref|Schulenberg|1992}}<!-- cited as "Schulenberg" not "Graf von der Schulenberg"-->
 |first=A. C. |last=Graf von der Schulenberg
 |year=1992
 |title=Schulenberg's Tsimshian Grammar
 |translator-first=Virginia Carroll |translator-last=Flaherty
 |publisher=University of Colorado
 |url=https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/downloads/c821gq19r
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711082632/https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/downloads/c821gq19r
 |archive-date=Jul 11, 2020
}}
** {{cite book
 |lang=de
 |first=A. C. |last=Graf von der Schulenberg
 |year=1894
 |title=Die Sprache der Zimshian-Indianer in Nordwest-America
 |trans-title=The Language of the Tsimshian Indians in Northwest America
 |location=Braunschweig
}}
* {{cite book
 |last=Boas |first=Franz |author-link=Franz Boas
 |year=1911
 |chapter=Tsimshian
 |pages=283-422
 |title=Handbook of American Indian Languages, Part 1
 |volume=40
 |series=Bureau of American Ethnology Bulletin
 |location=Washington
 |url=https://repository.si.edu/handle/10088/15507
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031061657/https://repository.si.edu/bitstream/handle/10088/15507/bulletin4011911smit.pdf
 |archive-date=Oct 31, 2021
}}
* {{cite book
 |last=Dunn |first=John Asher |author-link=John Asher Dunn
 |year=1978
 |title=A Practical Dictionary of the Tsimshian Language
 |series=National Museum of Man, Mercury Series, Ethnology Service Paper
 |volume=42
 |location=Ottawa
 |publisher=National Museums of Canada
 |jstor=j.ctv16sc9
}}
* {{cite book
 |last=Dunn |first=John Asher |author-link=John Asher Dunn
 |year=1979
 |title=A Reference Grammar for the Tsimshian Language
 |series=National Museum of Man, Mercury Series, Ethnology Service Paper
 |volume=55
 |location=Ottawa
 |publisher=National Museums of Canada
 |url=https://theswissbay.ch/pdf/Books/Linguistics/Mega%20linguistics%20pack/North%20American/Wakashan%20%26%20Tsimshianic/Coast%20Tsimshian%20Language%2C%20A%20Reference%20Grammar%20for%20the%20%28Dunn%29.pdf
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416161729/https://theswissbay.ch/pdf/Books/Linguistics/Mega%20linguistics%20pack/North%20American/Wakashan%20%26%20Tsimshianic/Coast%20Tsimshian%20Language%2C%20A%20Reference%20Grammar%20for%20the%20(Dunn).pdf
 |archive-date=April 16, 2024
}}
* {{cite book
 |last=Dunn |first=John Asher |author-link=John Asher Dunn
 |year=1995
 |title=Sm'algyax: A Reference Dictionary and Grammar for the Tsimshian Language
 |publisher=University of Washington Press & Sealaska Heritage Foundation
 |isbn=9780295974194
 |url=https://archive.org/details/referencediction0000unse
 |via=[[Internet Archive]]
}}
* {{cite thesis
 |last=Mulder |first=Jean Gail |author-link=Jean Mulder
 |year=1988
 |title=Ergativity in Tsimshian (Sm'algyax)
 |degree=PhD
 |location=Berkeley
 |publisher=University of California Press
 |url=https://linguistics.ucla.edu/general/dissertations/Mulder.1988.pdf
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303024209/https://linguistics.ucla.edu/general/dissertations/Mulder.1988.pdf
 |archive-date=Mar 3, 2022
}}
* {{cite journal
 |last=Stebbins |first=Tonya
 |year=2001
 |title=Emergent Spelling Patterns in Sm'algyax (Tsimshian, British Columbia)
 |journal=Written Language and Literacy
 |volume=4
 |issue=2
 |pages=163–193
 |doi=10.1075/wll.4.2.03ste 
}}
* {{cite book
 |last=Stebbins |first=Tonya
 |year=2020
 |title=Fighting Language Endangerment: Community Directed Research on Sm'algyax (Tsimshian)
 |edition=2nd
 |location=Melbourne
 |publisher=La Trobe University
 |doi=10.26826/1011 |doi-access=free
 |isbn=978-0-6484681-3-4
 |url=https://library.latrobe.edu.au/ebureau/ebook.html#fightinglang
}}
{{Refend}}

==External links==
* [https://web.unbc.ca/~smalgyax/ Sm'algyax Living Legacy Talking Dictionary]
* [http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/Canada/tsimshian.htm A Zimshian Version of Portions of the Book of Common Prayer (1882)] translated by Ridley
* [http://www.ydli.org/biblios/coasbib.htm Bibliography of Materials on the Tsimshian Language]
* [http://www.language-archives.org/language/tsi OLAC resources in and about the Tsimshian language]

<section begin="list-of-glossing-abbreviations"/><div style="display:none;">
TEMP:temporal marker
VERB:verb
</div><section end="list-of-glossing-abbreviations"/>

{{Penutian languages}}
{{Languages of Alaska}}
{{Languages of Canada}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tsimshian Language}}
[[Category:Tsimshianic languages]]
[[Category:Endangered Tsimshianic languages]]
[[Category:Indigenous languages of the Pacific Northwest Coast]]
[[Category:First Nations languages in Canada]]
[[Category:Indigenous languages of Alaska]]
[[Category:Official languages of Alaska]]