Catawba language facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Catawba |
|
|---|---|
| Katapa | |
| Native to | United States |
| Region | South Carolina |
| Ethnicity | Ye Iswąˀ (Catawba) |
| Language family |
Siouan
|
| Linguasphere | 64-ABA-ab |
The Catawba language (pronounced kə-TAW-bə) is a special language from the eastern United States. It is one of two Eastern Siouan languages. These languages are part of a bigger group called the Siouan language family.
Sadly, the Catawba language is no longer spoken by many people. The last person who spoke Catawba naturally was Samuel Taylor Blue. He passed away in 1959. Today, the Catawba tribe is working hard to bring their language back to life. They want to make sure it is remembered and used again.
Sounds of Catawba
Every language has its own unique sounds. The Catawba language had a special set of sounds, including different consonants and vowels.
Consonant Sounds
Catawba had sounds like 'p', 't', and 'k', which are similar to English. It also had 'b' and 'd'. Some sounds were made by stopping air, like a 'glottal stop' (a sound like the break in "uh-oh"). There were also 's' and 'sh' sounds, and 'm' and 'n' sounds.
Vowel Sounds
The Catawba language had both short and long vowel sounds. This means some vowels were held for a shorter time, and others for a longer time. It also had "nasalized" vowels. These are vowel sounds made while air comes out of your nose, similar to how some French words sound.
About the Language Speakers
For a while, some people thought someone named Red Thunder Cloud was the last speaker of Catawba. However, it was later found out that he was not a member of the Catawba tribe. He had learned some of the language from books and by listening to the real last speakers, Samuel Taylor Blue and his half-sister, Sally Gordon. This shows how important it is to get information about languages from the actual people who speak them.
