Neutral Huron language facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Neutral |
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|---|---|
| Neutral Huron Attawandaron |
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| Native to | Canada |
| Region | Ontario; also near Buffalo, New York |
| Ethnicity | Neutral Nation |
| Extinct | last mentioned in 1671 |
| Language family | |
| Linguist List | qeb |
Neutral or Neutral Huron was an Iroquoian language. It was spoken by a group of Indigenous people known as the Neutral Nation.
The French gave them the name Neutral. This was because the Nation tried to stay out of the Huron–Iroquois wars. The Huron people called them Attawandaron.
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The Neutral Language
The Neutral language was spoken by the Neutral Nation. This group of Indigenous people lived in what is now Ontario, Canada. They also lived near Buffalo, New York, in the United States.
Why Was It Called "Neutral"?
The Neutral Nation got its name from French explorers. They called the Nation "Neutral" because they tried to stay neutral. This means they did not pick a side in the big wars happening around them. These wars were between the Huron and Iroquois Nations. The Huron people had their own name for the Neutral Nation, which was Attawandaron.
How Was Neutral Different?
Experts who studied Indigenous languages found that Neutral was different from the Wendat language. Wendat was spoken by the Huron people. Even though they were neighbors, their languages had clear differences.
Some old writings from Jesuit missionaries mention these differences. They noted that the Neutral language was unique in many ways. Early missionaries even thought about writing a separate grammar book and dictionary just for Neutral. This shows how distinct it was from other languages they knew. Sadly, these books are now lost.
When Did Neutral Disappear?
The Neutral language is now extinct. This means no one speaks it anymore. The last time it was mentioned was in 1671. The Neutral Nation faced many challenges, including conflicts and diseases. These events led to the decline of their population and, eventually, their language.
