Plains Miwok language

Plains Miwok
Native toUnited States
RegionCalifornia
EthnicityPlains and Sierra Miwok
Extinctlate 1990s
Yok-Utian
Language codes
ISO 639-3pmw
Glottologplai1259
ELPPlains Miwok

Miwkoʔ hənnaj (Plains Miwok language, also known as Valley Miwok), is one of the Miwok languages spoken in central California by the Plains Miwok people. It is spoken in the deltas of the San Joaquin and Cosumnes Rivers. Plains Miwok was once one of the most populous Miwok languages prior to colonization. While English is commonly spoken, Miwkoʔ hənnaj is still used by a few community members. Several place names in the region including Cosumnes and Mokelumne originate from Miwkoʔ hənnaj.

Phonology

Consonants
Bilabial Alveolar Post-
alveolar
Palatal Velar Glottal
Plosive plain p t tʃ ⟨c⟩ k ʔ ⟨'⟩
voiced b d ɡ
Nasal m n ŋ
Fricative s h
Tap ɾ ⟨r⟩
Approximant w l j ⟨j⟩
  1. 1 2 3 4 Phonemes taken from Spanish loan words.

Allophones of /b tʃ ɡ n s/ include [β ts ɣ ŋ ʂ].

Vowels
Front Central Back
Close i ɨ ⟨y⟩ u
Mid e ə o
Open a

References