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Walla Walla Indian Language (Wallula)

Walla Walla is a Penutian language of the Western Plateau. It is spoken natively by only a handful of elders there, but some younger people are working to keep their ancestral language alive. Some linguists consider Walla Walla to be one dialect of a single Sahaptin language, and others consider it to be one of three or four distinct Sahaptin languages. Walla Walla speakers have some difficulty understanding Yakama or Umatilla speakers, but they are similar enough that speakers can usually all communicate relatively well.

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Walla Walla Language

Walla Walla language samples and resources.

Walla Walla Culture and History

Information and links about the Walla Walla tribe past and present.

Palouse Culture and History

Information and links about the Palouse tribe past and present.

Walla Walla Indian Legends

Introduction to the mythology of the Walla Walla Indians.

Walla Walla Language Resources

Walla Walla Language Lessons and Linguistic Descriptions

Umatilla, Walla Walla & Cayuse Language
Brief profile of the languages of the Umatilla reservation, with a Quicktime video of a native woman discussing Sahaptin language loss.

Tribes Race to Save Dying Languages
Article about Sahaptin, Chinook, and other Oregon language restoration efforts.

House of Languages: Sahaptin:
Information about Sahaptin language usage (including Walla Walla, Palouse, and Wanapam.)

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

Sahaptian Language Tree

Walla Walla Language Tree

Wanapam Language Tree:
Palouse Language Tree

Lower Snake Sahaptin Language Tree:
Theories about Northeastern Sahaptin language relationships compiled by Linguist List.

Northern Sahaptin Language Structures:
Walla Walla/Yakima linguistic profile and academic bibliography.

Links, References, and Additional Information

Lenguas Sahaptin:
Information on Walla Walla and other Sahaptian languages in Spanish.
Walla Wallas:
Walla Walla links.
Walla Walla Tribe:
Walla Walla Indian books.

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