Algic languages facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Algic |
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|---|---|
| Algonquian–Ritwan Algonquian–Wiyot–Yurok |
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| Geographic distribution: |
northern North America |
| Linguistic classification: | One of the world's primary language families |
| Proto-language: | Proto-Algic |
| Subdivisions: |
Wiyot †
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| ISO 639-5: | aql |
 Pre-contact distribution of Algic languages
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The Algic languages are a group of native languages spoken in North America. Most of these languages belong to the Algonquian family. These languages are found across a huge area, from the Rocky Mountains all the way to Atlantic Canada.
Other Algic languages include Yurok and Wiyot. These two languages are spoken in northwestern California. Even though they are geographically close, they are not closely related to each other. All Algic languages come from an older language called Proto-Algic. Experts believe Proto-Algic was spoken about 7,000 years ago.
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What are Algic Languages?
The name Algic was first used by Henry Schoolcraft in 1839. He wrote a book called Algic Researches. Schoolcraft said the name came from "Allegheny" and "Atlantic". This was because of the native people who lived in that area long ago.
Later, the term Algic was not used in the same way. The people Schoolcraft called "Algic" were later known as speakers of Algonquian languages. This language group is also sometimes called "Algonquian-Ritwan" or "Wiyot-Yurok-Algonquian."
How Did We Learn About Algic Languages?
A famous language expert named Edward Sapir suggested something important. He thought that the well-known Algonquian family was related to the Wiyot and Yurok languages. These languages are spoken in northern California. Sapir then used the name Algic for this larger group of languages.
Experts believe the original home, or urheimat, of the Algic languages was in the Northwestern United States. This area was likely between the homeland of the Algonquian branch and where Wiyot and Yurok were first found.
How Algic Languages are Grouped
The idea that Wiyot and Yurok are related to Algonquian languages was first suggested by Edward Sapir in the early 1900s. Another expert, Truman Michelson, disagreed with this idea for a while. This disagreement was called the "Ritwan controversy."
However, most language experts now agree that these languages are indeed related. This means they all come from a common ancestor language.
Proto-language
See also
In Spanish: Lenguas álgicas para niños
- Algonquian–Wakashan languages
