VICTOR ATKNINE: Russian Academy of Sciences

The paper reviews the current ethnic and linguistic situation among the Evenki, one of the most numerous and widespread Northern minorities in Siberia. In spite of their relatively large overall number, the Evenki have tended to undergo linguistic assimilation more rapidly than many smaller ethnic groups. There are, however, regional differences, and these are of considerable importance if anything is to be done in order to stimulate a linguistic revival among the Evenki.