Yuchi language

Yuchi language

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Yuchi (Tsoyaha)
Spoken in: United States
Region: East central Oklahoma
Total speakers: ~15
Ranking: Not in top 100
Genetic classification: Language isolate
Official status
Official language of: -
Regulated by: -
Language codes
ISO 639-1 -
ISO 639-2 nai
SIL YUC
See also: Language – List of languages
Original distribution of the Yuchi Language
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Original distribution of the Yuchi Language

The Yuchi language is the language of the Yuchi people living in the southeastern United States, including eastern Tennessee, western Carolinas, northern Georgia and Alabama, in the period of early European colonization. However, speakers of the Yuchi language were forcibly relocated to Oklahoma in the early 1800s. Due to assimilation into Muscogee and English-speaking culture, only a few elderly speakers of the Yuchi language remain.
Contents


* 1 Classification
* 2 Geographic distribution
* 3 History
* 4 External links

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Classification

Yuchi is classified as a language isolate because it is not known to be related to any other language. Some linguists have tried to prove links to other American language families such as Siouan, but no conclusive evidence has emerged.


Geographic distribution

Yuchi is primarily spoken in the northeastern Oklahoma region. In 1997 there were 12-19 elderly speakers out of an estimated population of 1500. In 2005 there are about 10 speakers out of approximately 3000 people.


History

Yuchi people were originally native to various areas of the southeastern United States. However, speakers of the Yuchi language were forcibly relocated with the Muscogee (Creek) people to Oklahoma prior to the Trail of Tears.


External links

* Ethnologue report for Yuchi
* "Hello Oklahoma!" in Yuchi

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