Hokan languages
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The Hokan language family is a hypothetical grouping of a dozen small language families spoken California and Mexico. In nearly a century since the "Hokan" hypothesis first proposed these families were related to each other, little additional evidence has been found. Although some Hokan families may indeed be related, especially in northern California, few linguists today expect Hokan as a whole to prove to be valid, and the term is often used as a convenient label to simplify one of the most linguistically diverse areas of the world.
Hokan languages are spoken by the Pomo on the California coast, as well as by other Native American nations around Mount Shasta, Lake Tahoe, and the Yuman peoples along the lower Colorado River. Some linguists also include Chumash or other families, but the evidence is insubstantial, and most now restrict Hokan to some or all of the languages listed below.
Except for the Yuman family, all Hokan languages are now either moribund or extinct.
Family outline
Hokan languages (28):
- Esselen-Yuman languages (10)
- Esselen language
- Yuman languages
- Cochimi language
- Delta-Californian languages (2)
- Kiliwa language
- Paipai language
- River Yuman languages
- Upland Yuman languages
- Havasupai language 404 speakers (1990 census)
- Walapai language (Hualapai) 440 speakers (1990 census)
- Yavapai language 163 speakers (1990 census)
- Northern Hokan languages (13)
- Chimariko language
- Karok-Shasta languages (4)
- Karok language
- Shasta-Palaihnihan languages (3)
- Palaihnihan languages (2)
- Shasta language
- Pomo languages (7)
- Russian River and Eastern Pomo languages (6)
- Eastern Pomo language
- Russian River Pomo languages (5)
- Southeastern Pomo language
- Russian River and Eastern Pomo languages (6)
- Yana language
- Salinan-Seri languages (2)
- Tequistlatecan languages (2)
- Washo language
Bibliography
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