Kumeyaay is a Yuman language of Mexico and Southern California, considered by some linguists to be a member of the larger
Hokan language family.
In the United States the language and people are generally spelled 'Kumeyaay' and were formerly known as 'Diegueno'
(the so-called "Mission Indians" of Southern California used to be identified by the name of the nearest
Catholic mission), while in Mexico, the language and people are spelled Kumiai and are sometimes referred to as Tipai, Ipai, or, confusingly,
Cochimi. (The actual Cochimi language has been extinct since the 1800's,
but non-native Mexicans have confused the Cochimis and Kumiais for centuries.) Today Kumiai is spoken by about 300 people on both sides of the