According to Ethnologue, Kankana-ey is a language spoken natively in some provinces in the Cordillera and Ilocos regions. These places in particular are northern Benguet, southwestern Ifugao, and southwestern Mountain province in the Cordillera; and southeast Ilocos Sur and northeast La Union in the Ilocos region. A 2003 census cites the language being spoken by as many as 240,000 native speakers. Kankana-ey is listed as 5 (Developing) in the EGIDS. It is also considered a common second language in the southwestern parts of Bontok, Mountain Province.

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            The speakers call themselves "Kankana-ey" also, after their language. The Kankana-ey is identified as the language they speak and the province whence they came. They are part of the "Igorot" tribal/ethnic group, and are excellent vegetable farmers, with the females being considered the best weavers in Benguet. The Kankana-ey of western Mountain Province, from the municipalities of Sagada and Besao, identify themselves as part of a tribe called “Appla”i or “Aplai”. The Applai also use a distinct variety of Kankana-ey, considered "hard" Kankana-ey, in contrast to other varieties which are considered "soft".