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Apache Indian Language (Tinde, Nde, Ndee, Tineh, Na'isha)

Apache is an Athabaskan (Na-Dene) language of the American Southwest. Actually, there are at least two distinct Apache languages: Western Apache and Eastern Apache. The two are closely related, like French and Spanish, but speakers of one language cannot understand the other well--in fact, Western Apache is closer to Navajo than to Eastern Apache. Chiricahua-Mescalero is considered by some people to be a dialect of Western Apache, by others a separate language; the three forms of Eastern Apache (Jicarilla, Lipan, and Plains Apache) are considered by some to be distinct languages and by others to be dialects of a single Eastern Apache language. In all there are about 15,000 speakers of Apachean languages in the American Southwest today.



˜Apache Language
Apache language samples and resources.

˜Apache Nation Culture and History
Information and links about the Apache tribe past and present.

˜Apache Indians Fact Sheet
Our answers to common questions about the Apaches.

˜Apache Legends
Introduction to Apache mythology.



˜Apache Language Resources –

Our Apache Language Materials

Apache Vocabulary:
    List of vocabulary words in the Jicarilla and Western Apache languages, with comparison to words in other Athabaskan languages.
Apache Animal Words:
    Illustrated glossary of animal words in Western Apache.
Apache Body Parts:
    Online and printable worksheets showing parts of the body in the Apache language.
Apache Colors:
    Worksheet showing color words in the Apache Indian language.
Apache Numbers:
    Worksheet showing how to count in the Apache language.

Apache Language Lessons and Linguistic Descriptions

Apache Pronunciation:
    Orthography, pronunciation guide, and texts.
Apache Alphabet and Pronunciation:
    Phonological inventory of Apache, with a sample text.
Southern Athabaskan Languages:
    Comparative phonology of the Navajo and Apache Indian languages, including tones.
Apache Indian Language:
    Scanned-in texts on Western Apache orthography, phonology and grammar.

Apache Glossaries and Sound Files

English to Apache Speaking Dictionary:
    Online Western Apache dictionary with audio clips recorded by White Mountain Apache students.
Language of the Apache Indians:
    Vocabulary lists from Western and Eastern Apache.

Literature and Texts in the Apache Language

Chiricahua and Mescalero Apache Texts:
    Traditional Apache Indian stories with translation and linguistic analysis.
Leader of the Birds:
    Glossed story from the San Carlos Apache tribe.

Apache Language Preservation and Usage

Language Issues Facing the White Mountain Apaches:
    Language preservation in the White Mountain Apache tribe.
Western Apache * Jicarilla Apache * Lipan Apache * Kiowa Apache * Mescalero-Chiricahua:
    Apache demographic information from the Ethnologue of Languages.

Apache Names

Life Among the Apaches: Language:
    Passage from an 1862 book including many historical Apache Indian names.
Western Apache Place Names Project:
    Discussion of Apache Indian placenames.
Native American Names for Pets:
    Fundraiser offering names for dogs and other animals in Apache and other Native American languages.

Apache Dictionaries, Audio Tapes and Language Resources

Western Apache-English Dictionary:
    Western Apache dictionary for sale online.
Jicarilla Apache Course:
    Jicarilla Apache language learning cassettes and textbook.
Wisdom Sits In Places:
    Interesting book about the language, culture, and worldview of the Apache Native Americans.
Native American Language Dictionaries:
    Algonquin and other American Indian dictionaries and language materials for sale.

Links, References, and Additional Information

Chiricahua Language * Mescalero Language * Jicarilla Language * Western Apache Language:
Wikipedia articles on Apache Indian languages.
Lenguas Apaches * Idioma Apache * Apache Coyotero:
Information about the Apache language in Spanish.
Apache Language * Apache * Apaches * The Apache Indians:
Apache links.



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