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Interior Salish languages facts for kids

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Interior Salish
Linguistic classification: Salishan
Subdivisions:
Northern
Southern

The Interior Salish languages are a group of languages spoken by Indigenous peoples in parts of North America. They are one of the two main branches of the Salishan language family. The other main group is called Coast Salish.

These languages are divided into two smaller groups: Northern and Southern. The first Salishan people that American explorers met were the Flathead people. They spoke an Interior Salish language and lived in the easternmost part of the group's territory.

Languages of the Interior Salish Family

The Interior Salish language family includes several distinct languages. They are grouped into Northern and Southern branches.

Northern Interior Salish Languages

Southern Interior Salish Languages

The Southern Interior Salish languages have many similar sounds. However, they also have differences in how vowels and consonants are pronounced.

Peoples Who Speak Interior Salish Languages

Many different Indigenous groups speak or traditionally spoke Interior Salish languages. These groups live across a wide area.

Northern Interior Salish Peoples

  • Secwepemc, also known as Shuswap, speak the Shuswap language.
  • St̓át̓imc, also known as Lillooet, speak the Lillooet language.
  • Nlaka'pamux, also known as Thompson River Salish, speak the Thompson language.

Central Interior Salish Peoples

Eastern Interior Salish Peoples

Southern Interior Salish Peoples

Western Interior Salish Peoples

  • The Coast Salish languages are a separate group. They are spoken by over 30 different Salishan-speaking groups in the Pacific Northwest. You can learn more about them at Coast Salish languages.

Many people who speak or are learning these languages live near the city of Spokane. They often gather at the Celebrating Salish Conference. The Kalispel Tribe hosts this conference.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Lenguas salish del interior para niños

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