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Dakota-Lakota Sioux Language

Dakota and Lakota are Siouan languages of the Great Plains. They are so closely related that most linguists consider them dialects of the same language, similar to the difference between British and American English. There are some differences in pronunciation, but they are very regular, and Dakota and Lakota Indians can almost always understand each other. The Nakota languages--Stoney and Assiniboine--are also related languages but are impossible for a Dakota or Lakota Sioux speaker to understand without language lessons, as Dutch is for English speakers. There are a combined 16,000 speakers of Lakota and Dakota Sioux in the north-central US and southern Canada.



˜Sioux Language
Sioux language samples and resources.

˜Sioux Culture and History
Related links about the Sioux tribe past and present.

˜Sioux Indians Fact Sheet
Our answers to common questions about the lifestyle of the Sioux Indian tribe.

˜Sioux Indian Legends
Introduction to Lakota and Dakota Sioux mythology.



˜Dakota and Lakota Sioux Language Resources –

Our Online Dakota-Lakota Materials

Dakota Sioux Vocabulary:
    List of vocabulary words in the Dakota language, with comparison to words in other Siouan languages.
Lakota Sioux Vocabulary:
    List of vocabulary words in the Lakota language, with comparison to words in other Siouan languages.
Sioux Pronunciation Guide:
    How to pronounce Lakota and Dakota Indian words.
Lakota Sioux Animal Words:
    Illustrated glossary of animal words in the Lakota Sioux language, with audio files. Dakota Sioux version also available.
Lakota Body Parts:
    Online and printable worksheets showing parts of the body in the Lakota language. Dakota Sioux version also available.
Lakota Colors:
    Worksheet showing color words in the Lakota language. Dakota Sioux version also available.
Lakota Numbers:
     Worksheet showing how to count in the Lakota language. Dakota Sioux version also available.

Dakota-Lakota Language Lessons and Linguistic Descriptions

Lakota Language Consortium:
    Organization working on Lakota language revitalization, with background and language teaching materials.
Dakoteyah Wogdaka/Talk Dakota!:
    Yankton Dakota vocabulary and audio files online. Also audio CDs for sale.
Oceti Wakan:
    A Pine Ridge organization dedicated to preserving Lakota language and culture. Lakota workbook and CDs for sale.
Lakhota Language Resources:
    A collection of online texts in Lakhota and Dakota Sioux, with dialect maps and other language materials.
Lakota (Teton):
    Lakota Sioux orthography and text example.
Sioux Language, Alphabet and Pronunciation:
    Phonological inventory of Dakota Sioux, with a sample text.
Dakota Language The Silent Way:
    Online Dakota Sioux language games based on an experimental theory of language learning.
Lakxota Language:
    Rotating language lessons in Lakota Sioux.
Dakota Language * Lakota Language
    Scanned-in language information including a bible translation and excerpts from a collection of Sioux Indian texts.
Dakota Language Plaque:
    Canadian human rights tribute written in the Dakota language.

Dakota and Lakota Sioux Proper Names

Sioux Indian Placenames:
    Chart of place names in Lakota-Dakota and Omaha-Ponca.
American Indian Names for Pets:
    Our new fundraiser offering names for dogs and other animals in Native American languages (including Lakota and Dakota Sioux).

Dakota-Lakota Language Dictionaries, Audio Tapes and Language Resources

Lakota Dictionary:
    English-Lakota and Lakota-English dictionary for sale.
English-Dakota Dictionary * Dakota-English Dictionary
    Dakota Sioux dictionary for sale (two-volume set.)
Introductory Lakota:
    Comprehensive audio language learning course from the Oglala Lakota College.
Dakoteyah Wogdaka/Talk Dakota!:
    Dakota language CD for sale (proceeds benefiting a Yankton women's center).
Reading and Writing the Lakota Language * Audiocassette
    Lakota Sioux language textbook and accompanying audiocassette for sale.
Lakota and Dakota Language Resources * Dakota-English Dictionary
    Sioux language links pages.



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