Plains Miwok language facts for kids

Plains Miwok, also known as Valley Miwok, was a language once spoken by the Plains Miwok people. They lived in central California, near the deltas of the San Joaquin and Cosumnes Rivers. This language was one of the most common Miwok languages.

Sadly, Plains Miwok is now considered an extinct language. This means that no one speaks it as their main language anymore. The last known speaker was recorded in the 1960s or 1990s. Over time, all the people who spoke Plains Miwok began speaking English instead.

What is a Language Family?

Languages like Plains Miwok belong to larger groups called "language families." Think of it like your own family tree! Plains Miwok was part of the Miwok language family. This family is part of an even bigger group called Utian languages.

Learning about languages like Plains Miwok helps us understand the history and culture of the people who spoke them. It reminds us how important it is to keep languages alive.