Published on July 20, 2014 by Amy
Language: Achumawi is a Palaihnihan language of Northern California, most closely related to Atsugewi. Some linguists consider these two languages part of the larger Hokan language family. Achumawi is a highly polysynthetic tone language with very complex verbs and free word order. Only a few dozen elders of the Pit River Indian tribe speak the Achumawi language fluently today, but some Achumawi Indian people are working to revive their language again.
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Names: The name Achumawi originally referred specifically to the dialect of the Fall River band (also spelled Ajumaawi, Ajumawi, Ajúmmááwí, Azumawi, Achumawe, or Achomawi.) There were also eight other bands that spoke different dialects of the same language: the Madesiwi, Ilmawi, Itsatawi, Hammawi, Qosalektawi/Kosalektawi, Hewisedawi, Astariwawi, and Atwamsini bands. Today, however, “Achumawi” is used as a general term to refer to all varieties of this language and its speakers. Pit River, Palaihnih/Palaihnihan, and Palaiks/P’laikni are broader terms including both Atsugewi and Achumawi people and languages.