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Glite Dictionary
Shoshonian

Shoshonian

9.9
A group of Native American languages spoken in the western United States, including Shoshone and Comanche
  • noun
  • /ʃoʊˈʃoʊniən/
  • Specialized
: shoshoniano
  • Comanche is one of the languages classified under the Shoshonian subfamily.

Examples

  • Linguists have studied the Shoshonian languages to understand their relationship with other Native American tongues.

  • The Shoshonian group includes languages spoken across several western states in the U.S.

  • The Shoshonian languages are rich in history.

  • Many Shoshonians still speak their native languages.

  • Comanche is one of the languages classified under the Shoshonian subfamily.

  • Linguists have studied the Shoshonian languages to understand their relationship with other Native American tongues.

  • The Shoshonian group includes languages spoken across several western states in the U.S.

Synonyms

Shoshonean
vsShoshonian
  • Specialized
1 9.9

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

lists the same subgroup but gives other specific example languages
Shoshonean language
vsShoshonian
  • Specialized
9.9

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

adds specific example languages rather than remaining general
Shoshonian language
vsShoshonian
  • Specialized
9.9

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

also lists example member languages to illustrate the subgroup

Compounds

Shoshonian language
  • Specialized
9.9

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

Surface Forms

Shoshonian singular
Shoshonians plural

Morphology

Shoshonian = Shoshoni (transparent) = Shoshoni + an

Formed by the ethnonym 'Shoshoni' plus a standard adjectival/nationality suffix '-an' indicating relation to that people/language, which is straightforward for learners familiar with the name.

Etymology

Shoshonian comes from the tribal name Shoshone and the ending -ian, which means 'from' or 'related to', like in American. So Shoshonian is used for the group of languages spoken by the Shoshone and other nearby Native American peoples, such as Comanche and Hopi.