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Tiwa Indian Language (Isleta, Picuris, Sandia, Taos, Tigua)

Tiwa is one of three Kiowa-Tanoan languages spoken by the Pueblo people of New Mexico. Though these languages are closely related, speakers of one cannot fully understand speakers of another (similar to German and English speakers). There are about 4000 speakers of these three languages in the American Southwest today.

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Many Tiwa elders believe that their language is not intended to be written and must be preserved by oral traditions alone. Some Tiwa people disagree with this position and think that using Tiwa as a written language will help keep it alive for future generations. Out of respect for the traditional beliefs of many Tiwa people we have not included any Tiwa vocabulary or texts on our own site; however we have linked to other language sites written by authors who are Tiwa themselves.

Tiwa Language

Tiwa language samples and resources.

Tiwa Culture and History

Information and links about the Tiwa tribe past and present.

Pueblo Culture and History

Information and links about the Pueblo Indians in general.

Pueblo Legends

Introduction to Pueblo Indian mythology.

Tiwa Language Resources

Tiwa Language Lessons and Linguistic Descriptions

Pueblo Languages
Overview of Tiwa and other Pueblo languages from the Encyclopedia of North American Indians.

Tiwa
Glossary and audio files of the Isleta Pueblo language.

Taos Pueblo Language Maintenance
Article on the importance of Tiwa language programs for preschoolers.

House of Languages: Tiwa

Taos

Picuris:
Information about Tiwa language usage.

Northern Tiwa

Southern Tiwa:
Demographic information about the Tiwa language and its dialects from the Ethnologue of Languages.

Southern Tiwa Language Tree

Taos Language Tree

Picuris Language Tree:
Theories about Tiwa's language relationships compiled by Linguist List.

Northern Tiwa Language Structures

Southern Tiwa Language Structures:
Tiwa linguistic profile and academic bibliography.

Additional Resources, Links, and References

   Lengua Tiwa:
   Information about the Southern Tiwa language in Spanish.
  Tiwa Tribe:
  Tiwa Indian books.

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