Kamassian or Kamas is an extinct Samoyedic language, included in the Southern group together with Mator and Selkup. The last native speaker, Klavdiya Plotnikova, died in 1989. Kamassian was spoken in Russia, east of the Ural mountains, by Kamasins.
A historical name for Kamas is Koibal. This is the term for the Kamas people who shifted to the Turkic Khakas language; the modern Koibal people are mixed Samoyed–Khakas.
Famous quotes containing the word language:
“Like the train’s beat
Swift language flutters the lips
Of the Polish airgirl in the corner seat.”
—Philip Larkin (1922–1986)