Dialects: Chiricahua, Mescalero. Little dialectal variation between Chiricahua and Mescalero. Mostly a distinction in tribal identity (Golla 2007).
Genealogy:
Demographics: 1,500 (Golla 2007). 1,500 Mescalero in New Mexico, 3 Chiricahua in Oklahoma (Golla 2007). Ethnic population: More than 3,000 Mescalero (Golla 2007). 175 Chiricawa, including 149 in New Mexico (2000 census).
Language Use: A few Chiricahua semispeakers in Oklahoma (Golla 2007). Mainly older adults.
Language Development: Dictionary.
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: United States