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Native Languages

Penutian Language Family

The relationships between the Penutian languages of the Pacific Coast are less certain and less well understood than in some of the other Amerindian language families. Some linguists consider the Penutian languages to constitute one rather divergent language family; others consider them a group of four to seven language families making up a broader linguistic stock; others consider them several distinct language families that do not have a relationship with each other at all; and some even think the Penutian languages should be grouped together with the Uto-Aztecan and/or the Mayan languages.

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Languages that are usually discussed under this rubric include:

  • Chinookan Languages
  • Chinook
  • Chinook Jargon
    •
  • Kathlamet
  • Wasco-Wishram
    •
  • Maidu
  • Oregon Penutian Languages
  • Coast Penutian Languages
  • Coos
  • Siuslaw
  • Alsea
  • Kalapuya
  • Takelma
  • Plateau Penutian Languages
  • Klamath-Modoc
  • Sahaptian Languages
  • Nez Perce
  • Sahaptin Languages
  • Umatilla/Tenino
  • Walla Walla
  • Yakima
  • Tsimshianic Languages
  • Nisga'a-Gitxsan
  • Tsimshian
    •
  • Utian Languages
  • Costanoan (Ohlone)
  • Miwok
    •
  • Yokuts
  • Molale
  • Wintu

    • Native Languages

    Our Penutian Language Features

    Penutian Vocabulary:
         Words in various Penutian languages.

    Links to Other Penutian Language Resources

    Penutian Language Family:
         Ethnologue of Penutian languages.
    Penutian Languages:
        Overview of the Penutian Indian languages, their history and distribution.
    The Penutian Hypothesis: Retrospect and Prospect:
        Where the Penutian hypothesis originally came from and how it has evolved.

    Penutian Language Materials Available Offline
    Our organization earns a commission from any book bought through these links

    California Penutian: A history and bibliography:
         Thorough overview of research done on the Penutian languages.




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