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Mojave language

Mojave language

9.9
A Native American language spoken by the Mohave people along the Lower Colorado River in the southwest United States
  • noun
  • /moʊˈhɑːvi ˈlæŋɡwɪdʒ/
translation icon : idioma mojave
  • The Mojave language is endangered, with only a small number of fluent speakers remaining today.

Examples

  • Linguists are documenting the Mojave language to help preserve it for future generations.

  • She grew up listening to stories in the Mojave language, passed down by her grandparents.

  • The Mojave language is rich in cultural history.

  • Many young people are learning the Mojave language today.

  • Linguists are documenting the Mojave language to help preserve it for future generations.

  • She grew up listening to stories in the Mojave language, passed down by her grandparents.

  • The Mojave language is endangered, with only a small number of fluent speakers remaining today.

Synonyms

Mohave language
vsMojave language
9.9

A Native American Yuman language spoken by the Mohave people in the southwestern United States

is the same but names the Lower Colorado River region specifically
Mojave
vsMojave language
9.9

A Native American language spoken by the people of the Colorado River area

emphasizes traditional historical use in the Lower Colorado River region

Surface Forms

Morphology

Mojave + language

The phrase is a simple noun phrase composed of the proper name 'Mojave' plus the noun 'language', so its meaning — the language spoken by the Mojave/Mohave people — is directly derivable from the parts. Combining an ethnonym or place name with 'language' is a common, cross-linguistic pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily understand it.

Etymology

Mojave language comes from the name the people used for themselves, 'Aha Makav', which means 'people by the river'. So Mojave language simply means the language of those 'river people'.