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Esselen Indian Language

Esselen is an extinct language of California, considered by some linguists to be part of the Hokan family of languages. The Esselen people were forced onto missions with speakers of different languages in the 1700's, and their language has not been spoken for more than a century.

˜Esselen Language

Esselen language samples and resources.

˜Esselen Tribe Culture and History

Information and links about the Esselen Indians past and present.

˜Esselen Legends

Introduction to the mythology of the Esselens.

˜Esselen Language Resources –

Our Esselen Language Materials

Esselen Vocabulary
Our list of vocabulary words in the Esselen language, with comparison to words in other Hokan languages.

Esselen Language Lessons and Linguistic Descriptions

Languages of the Coast of California
Language map showing the distribution of Costanoan, Salinan, Esselen, and other western California languages.

Esselen Language:

Esselen Description:

Esselen Language Map

Esselen Grammar

Esselen Phonology

Esselen Vocabulary:
Scanned-in Esselen language materials from the Rosetta Project.

Esselen Dictionary
Glossary of Esselen words from the tribal website.

Esselen Language
Demographic information about Esselen from the Ethnologue of Languages.

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