Shoshonean

[ shoh-shoh-nee-uhn, shoh-shuh-nee-uhn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural Sho·sho·ne·ans, (especially collectively) Sho·sho·ne·an

(in some, especially earlier, classifications) a grouping of four branches of the Uto-Aztecan language family including Numic, Hopi, and several languages of southern California.
a member of a group speaking a Shoshonean language.

Shoshonean

/ ʃəʊˈʃəʊnɪən; ˌʃəʊʃəˈniːən /

a subfamily of North American Indian languages belonging to the Uto-Aztecan family, spoken mainly in the southwestern US

First recorded in 1890–95; Shoshone + -an

They were surrounded on all sides by the cognate Apache except upon the north, where they meet Shoshonean tribes.

Upon the northeast the eastern limits of the pristine habitat of the Shoshonean tribes are unknown.

Upon the south Shoshonean territory was limited generally by the Colorado River.

In the southwest Shoshonean tribes had pushed across California, occupying a wide band of country to the Pacific.

Very likely much of the area occupied by the Atsina was formerly Shoshonean territory.

April 24, 2024gallimaufry

[gal-uh-maw-free ]

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