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Kumeyaay Language (Diegueño, Tipai, Kumiai)

Kumeyaay is a Hokan language of Mexico and Southern California. In the United States the language and people are generally spelled 'Kumeyaay' and were formerly known as 'Diegueno' (the so-called "Mission Indians" of Southern California used to be identified by the name of the nearest Catholic mission), while in Mexico, the language and people are spelled Kumiai and are sometimes referred to as Tipai, Ipai, or, confusingly, Cochimi. (The actual Cochimi language has been extinct since the 1800's, but non-native Mexicans have confused the two groups for centuries.) Today Kumiai is spoken by about 300 people on both sides of the Mexican-US border.

˜Kumeyaay Language

Kumeyaay language samples and resources.

˜Kumeyaay Culture and History

Information and links about the Kumeyaay tribe past and present.

˜Kumeyaay Legends

Introduction to Kumeyaay mythology.

˜Kumeyaay Language Resources –

Our Online Kumeyaay Materials

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

Kumeyaay Language Lessons and Linguistic Descriptions

Kumeyaay Indian Language
A wealth of Kumeyaay information including phrases, stories, a dictionary lookup and some soundfiles.

Ipai-Tipai Online Workbook
Kumiai words, phrases, and conversations.

Kumiai Language
Scanned-in language information including a linguistics book and excerpts from a collection of Diegueno stories.

Tribal delegates gather to talk about saving their language
Article on language preservation efforts among the Cocopah, Kumeyaay, and other Southwestern Indian tribes.

Links, References, and Additional Information

Kumeyaay Language:
Encyclopedia articles on the Kumeyaay Indian language.
Dieguenos:
Kumeyaay links.
Lengua Diegueña:
Articles on the Diegueño language in Spanish.

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