Native American languages
Native American cultures
What's new on our site today!
Klamath-Modoc Indian Language
The Klamath-Modoc language is considered by most linguists to be part of the
Penutian
family of languages, possibly related most closely to the Sahaptian languages.
Originally there were two dialects of the language, spoken by the Klamath
and Modoc tribes of Oregon and Northern California.
In the past, it was easy for the speakers of these two dialects to understand each other.
Today only one truly fluent speaker
(of the Klamath dialect) survives, with a few dozen other elders who remember
something of the language. Although Klamath-Modoc is severely endangered,
some young people are working to keep their ancestral tongue alive.
Sponsored Links
Klamath-Modoc Language
Klamath-Modoc language samples and resources.
Klamath Culture and History
Information and links about the Klamath tribe.
Modoc Culture and History
Information and links about the Modoc tribe.
Klamath Indians Fact Sheet
Our answers to common questions about the lifestyle of Klamath Indian people.
Modoc Indians Fact Sheet
Our answers to common questions about the lifestyle of Modoc Indian people.
Klamath Legends
Introduction to Klamath Indian mythology.
Modoc Legends
Introduction to Modoc Indian mythology.
Our Online Klamath-Modoc Materials
Klamath-Modoc Vocabulary
Our list of vocabulary words in the Klamath-Modoc language, with comparison to words in other Penutian languages.
Klamath Animal Words:
Illustrated glossary of animal words in the Klamath language.
Klamath-Modoc Language Lessons and Linguistic Descriptions
Klamath Tribes Language Project
Online Klamath language lessons presented by the tribal language program, with audio clips.
Klamath/Modoc Linguistics Page
Linguistic profile, bibliography, and several papers on the Klamath-Modoc language.
Klamath Language, Alphabet and Pronunciation:
Phonological inventory of Klamath-Modoc, with a sample text.
Hello Oklahoma: Modoc:
Modoc alphabet, greeting, and sample text.
House of Languages: Klamath-Modoc:
Information about Klamath-Modoc language usage.
California Language Map Site
Six maps showing the distribution of Klamath, Modoc, and other indigenous languages of California.
Linguistic Families of Northern California 
Pre-Contact California Tribal Territories:
Maps showing where in California the Lutuami (Modoc) language is spoken.
Klamath-Modoc Language
Demographic information about Klamath-Modoc from the Ethnologue of Languages.
Survey of California Indian Languages: Modoc:
Profile of the Modoc language from the University of California at Berkeley.
Klamath-Modoc Language Tree:
Theories about Klamath-Modoc's language relationships compiled by Linguist List.
Klamath Language Structures:
Klamath-Modoc linguistic profile and academic bibliography.
Lutuamian Vocabulary:
Early 20th-century wordlists of the Klamath language.
Sponsored Links
Links, References, and Additional Information
Klamath-Modoc Language:
Encyclopedia articles on the Klamath-Modoc Indian language.
Klamath Indians Modoc Indians:
Klamath and Modoc links.
Lengua Klamath-Modoc:
Articles on the Klamath-Modoc language in Spanish.
Back to the index of Great Basin tribes
Back to our Native American websites for kids
Go on to Native American names
Native American crafts
Forest County Potawatomi
Tribal tattoo art
Would you like to sponsor our work on the Klamath-Modoc language?
Native Languages of the Americas website © 1998-2020 Contacts and FAQ page
Klamath-Modoc Language Resources