Alternate Names: Ewenk, Ewenke, Ewenki, Khamnigan, Owenke, Solon, Solong, Sulong, Suolun
Dialects: Aoluguya (Olguya), Chenba’erhu (Old Bargu), Haila’er, Huihe (Hoy), Morigele (Mergel). Standard dialect is Huihe. Dialectal differences within Evenki are small and the case for regarding Evenki and Orochen as separate languages is weak (Salminen 2007).
Status Notes: Language of recognized nationality: Ewenki.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 11,000 in China (Salminen 2007). Population total all countries: 17,130. Ethnic population: 30,500 (2000 census).
Language Use: Other speakers in the area also use Evenki. All domains. Very few children except among the Khamnigan. Positive attitudes. Bilinguals use Mandarin Chinese [cmn] as L2. Written Chinese used as literary languages. Farmers use Chinese. Also use Mongolian [mvf]. Written Mongolian used as literary language. Herdsmen use Mongolian as L2. Also use Daur [dta], Oroqen [orh]. Used as L2 by Daur [dta], Oroqen [orh].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L2: 96%, literacy in any language (2000 census, Ewenki nationality). Radio programs. TV. Dictionary. Grammar. Bible portions: 1995.
Writing System: Cyrillic, Latin
Nation of Origin: China
Other Comments: Ethnic autonym: Solon in China, but also now use the official name Ewenke. Traditional religion, Buddhist (Lamaist).