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Glite Dictionary
Shoshonean

Shoshonean

1 9.9
A group of Native American languages spoken mainly in the southwestern United States, including Shoshone, Comanche, and Ute
  • noun
  • /ʃoʊˈʃoʊniən/
  • Specialized
: shoshoneano
  • Many linguists study Shoshonean languages to understand the history of the Uto-Aztecan family.

Examples

  • The Comanche language is a prominent member of the Shoshonean subfamily.

  • Some Shoshonean languages are still spoken in parts of Arizona and Nevada.

  • The Shoshonean languages are rich in history.

  • Is Shoshonean a language family or a single language?

  • Many linguists study Shoshonean languages to understand the history of the Uto-Aztecan family.

  • The Comanche language is a prominent member of the Shoshonean subfamily.

  • Some Shoshonean languages are still spoken in parts of Arizona and Nevada.

Synonyms

Shoshonean language
vsShoshonean
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of related Native American languages spoken mainly in the western United States

is identical but adds examples of member languages
Shoshonian language
vsShoshonean
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of related Native American languages spoken in the US Southwest, like Shoshoni and Comanche

is similar but gives example languages by name
Shoshonian
vsShoshonean
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of Native American languages spoken in the western United States, including Shoshone and Comanche

focuses on the original set of member languages rather than that differing list

Compounds

Shoshonean language
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of related Native American languages spoken mainly in the western United States

Surface Forms

Shoshonean singular
Shoshoneans plural

Morphology

Shoshonean = Shoshone (transparent) = Shoshone + an

Formed by adding the productive adjectival/demonymic suffix '-an' to the ethnonym 'Shoshone', yielding a clear meaning 'relating to Shoshone'.

Etymology

Shoshonean comes from the name of the Shoshone people plus the ending -an, which means 'related to' or 'from', like in American. So Shoshonean means 'related to the Shoshone' and is used for the group of languages they speak.