Hokan Languages - Family Outline

Family Outline

Hokan languages (28):

  • Esselen–Yuman languages (10)
    • Esselen language
    • Yuman languages
  • Northern Hokan languages (13)
    • Chimariko language
    • Karok–Shasta languages (4)
      • Karuk language
      • Shasta–Palaihnihan languages (3)
        • Palaihnihan languages (Achumawi and Atsugewi), (2)
        • Shastan languages
    • Pomoan languages (7)
    • Yana/Yahi language
  • Salinan language
  • Washo language

A relationship between Salinan and Seri was proposed by Edward Sapir at a time when the information about Seri was very scanty and when hypotheses about genetic relationships were being proposed on the basis of such. Bright provided a small amount of data which might have been developed as supporting evidence, but never was. The relationship is now considered doubtful and is certainly not at the level of a close-knit language family. M. Langdon (1974) only reported the proposal in her historical review, and suggested instead (in a short paragraph) that perhaps a relationship between Seri and some other languages (Chumash, and Chontal of Oaxaca) might be possible. Both Seri and Salinan are currently considered language isolates since evidence relating them to the putative Hokan family has not been systematically or convincingly presented.

The inclusion of the Tequistlatecan languages has also not received much support. The Chumash languages were also once included, but that position has been almost universally abandoned.

Read more about this topic:  Hokan Languages

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