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50 California languages: Isolates and other languages

  • Carmen Dagostino
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The Languages and Linguistics of Indigenous North America
This chapter is in the book The Languages and Linguistics of Indigenous North America

Abstract

California has long been known for its linguistic diversity and for pitfalls in trying to genetically classify the vast number of its indigenous languages. The difficulty of grouping these languages genetically stems from the longstanding small-scale multilingualism whereby languages enjoyed equal status, language ideologies linked language use to the land, and speakers were multilingual due to frequent intermarriage and trade relations among close neighbors. Although two large linguistic stocks, Hokan and Penutian, were proposed early in the 20th century to establish linguistic ancestry, many languages are still considered isolates, as it remains difficult to distinguish resemblances due to long-standing language contact from those attributed to genetic relationship. This chapter covers seven putative Hokan languages (Chimariko, Shastan, Yana, Atsugewi, Achumawi, Esselen, and Salinan) and six presumed Penutian languages (Wintuan, Maiduan, Yokutsan, Klamath, Miwokan, Ohlone), as well as two Yukian languages (Yuki and Wappo) and two Algic languages (Yurok and Wiyot). While other chapters in this volume are based on a single language family, the present chapter deals with languages spoken in a geographically contiguous area where several structural similarities stem from language contact rather than genetic affiliation. Several typologically interesting features present in these languages are highlighted, such as their complex sound inventories, patterns in core argument marking, lexical affixing structures, and argument tracking, among others. While many languages are currently dormant, their linguistic vitality shows a promising outlook. Several are now awakening, reinforcing the fact that language revitalization work can rest on archival sources.

Abstract

California has long been known for its linguistic diversity and for pitfalls in trying to genetically classify the vast number of its indigenous languages. The difficulty of grouping these languages genetically stems from the longstanding small-scale multilingualism whereby languages enjoyed equal status, language ideologies linked language use to the land, and speakers were multilingual due to frequent intermarriage and trade relations among close neighbors. Although two large linguistic stocks, Hokan and Penutian, were proposed early in the 20th century to establish linguistic ancestry, many languages are still considered isolates, as it remains difficult to distinguish resemblances due to long-standing language contact from those attributed to genetic relationship. This chapter covers seven putative Hokan languages (Chimariko, Shastan, Yana, Atsugewi, Achumawi, Esselen, and Salinan) and six presumed Penutian languages (Wintuan, Maiduan, Yokutsan, Klamath, Miwokan, Ohlone), as well as two Yukian languages (Yuki and Wappo) and two Algic languages (Yurok and Wiyot). While other chapters in this volume are based on a single language family, the present chapter deals with languages spoken in a geographically contiguous area where several structural similarities stem from language contact rather than genetic affiliation. Several typologically interesting features present in these languages are highlighted, such as their complex sound inventories, patterns in core argument marking, lexical affixing structures, and argument tracking, among others. While many languages are currently dormant, their linguistic vitality shows a promising outlook. Several are now awakening, reinforcing the fact that language revitalization work can rest on archival sources.

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Preface V
  3. Table of contents VII
  4. VII Language revitalization
  5. 32 Reviving languages: Outcomes of a Mentor-Apprentice style learning study 717
  6. 33 Child and child-directed speech in North American languages 741
  7. 34 Decolonizing Indigenous language pedagogies: Additional language learning and teaching 767
  8. 35 Digital tools for language revitalization 789
  9. 36 Using archival materials for language reclamation 807
  10. 37 Changing notions of fieldwork 823
  11. VIII Language families and isolates
  12. 38 Inuit-Yupik-Unangan: An overview of the language family 843
  13. 39 Dene – Athabaskan 875
  14. 40 Algonquian 931
  15. 41 Michif 951
  16. 42 Tsimshianic 985
  17. 43 Wakashan Languages 1013
  18. 44 Salish 1053
  19. 45 Chinookan family, with special reference to Kiksht and notes on Chinuk Wawa 1115
  20. 46 Sahaptian 1139
  21. 47 Karuk 1169
  22. 48 Wáˑšiw 1201
  23. 49 Pomoan 1223
  24. 50 California languages: Isolates and other languages 1247
  25. 51 Chumashan 1275
  26. 52 Yuman 1303
  27. 53 Uto-Aztecan 1333
  28. 54 Kiowa-Tanoan 1361
  29. 55 Caddoan 1407
  30. 56 Sketch of the Siouan Language Family 1447
  31. 57 Chitimacha 1519
  32. 58 Tunica 1545
  33. 59 Muskogean 1577
  34. 60 Iroquoian 1601
  35. 61 Unclassified languages 1627
  36. List of Authors 1649
  37. Index of languages 1673
  38. Index of names 1685
  39. Index of subjects 1695
https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110712742-050

Chapters in this book

  1. Frontmatter I
  2. Preface V
  3. Table of contents VII
  4. VII Language revitalization
  5. 32 Reviving languages: Outcomes of a Mentor-Apprentice style learning study 717
  6. 33 Child and child-directed speech in North American languages 741
  7. 34 Decolonizing Indigenous language pedagogies: Additional language learning and teaching 767
  8. 35 Digital tools for language revitalization 789
  9. 36 Using archival materials for language reclamation 807
  10. 37 Changing notions of fieldwork 823
  11. VIII Language families and isolates
  12. 38 Inuit-Yupik-Unangan: An overview of the language family 843
  13. 39 Dene – Athabaskan 875
  14. 40 Algonquian 931
  15. 41 Michif 951
  16. 42 Tsimshianic 985
  17. 43 Wakashan Languages 1013
  18. 44 Salish 1053
  19. 45 Chinookan family, with special reference to Kiksht and notes on Chinuk Wawa 1115
  20. 46 Sahaptian 1139
  21. 47 Karuk 1169
  22. 48 Wáˑšiw 1201
  23. 49 Pomoan 1223
  24. 50 California languages: Isolates and other languages 1247
  25. 51 Chumashan 1275
  26. 52 Yuman 1303
  27. 53 Uto-Aztecan 1333
  28. 54 Kiowa-Tanoan 1361
  29. 55 Caddoan 1407
  30. 56 Sketch of the Siouan Language Family 1447
  31. 57 Chitimacha 1519
  32. 58 Tunica 1545
  33. 59 Muskogean 1577
  34. 60 Iroquoian 1601
  35. 61 Unclassified languages 1627
  36. List of Authors 1649
  37. Index of languages 1673
  38. Index of names 1685
  39. Index of subjects 1695
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