Plains Algonquian languages facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Plains Algonquian |
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| Plains Algonkian | |
| Geographic distribution: |
Great Plains of the northern United States and southern Canada |
| Linguistic classification: | Algic
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| Subdivisions: | |
The Plains Algonquian languages are a group of languages spoken by Native American tribes. They are part of the larger Algonquian language family. This family is even bigger, belonging to the Algic family. These languages are called 'Plains Algonquian' because they were spoken in the same area, the Great Plains. It doesn't mean they are more closely related to each other than to other Algonquian languages. Think of it like friends who live on the same street, not necessarily brothers and sisters. Most experts believe that only the Eastern Algonquian group is a true 'family' based on shared history.
Understanding the Plains Algonquian Languages
The Plains Algonquian languages are known for being quite different from their original parent language. This parent language is called Proto-Algonquian. It's like the ancient language that all Algonquian languages came from. These differences show up in how words sound (called phonology) and in the words themselves (called vocabulary).
For example, the Proto-Algonquian word *keriwa, which meant "eagle", changed a lot. In Cheyenne, it became netse. Another example is *weθali, meaning "her husband". In Arapaho, it turned into ííx. These changes show how languages can evolve over a long time.
How the Languages Are Grouped
Experts group these languages based on how they are related. Here is a list of the Plains Algonquian languages, including their dialects. A dialect is a different way of speaking the same language. This list follows what language experts Goddard (1996, 2001) and Mithun (1999) have found.
1. Blackfoot (also known as Blackfeet) 2. Arapahoan * Arapaho-Atsina ** Arapaho (also known as Arapahoe or Arapafoe) ** Gros Ventre (also known as Atsina, Aáni, Ahahnelin, Ahe, A'aninin, A'ane, or A'ananin) (†) * Besawunena (†) * Nawathinehena (†) * Ha’anahawunena (†) 3. Cheyenne * Cheyenne * Sutaio (also known as Soʼtaaʼe) (†)
The symbol (†) next to a language means that it is now extinct. This means no one speaks it anymore.
See also
In Spanish: Lenguas algonquinas de las praderas para niños
