Here are some answers to questions on Native American linguistic and related issues that we frequently get at CeSNaLPS, plus a few that we wish we'd get. 

Table of Contents

1. How do I give a Native American child a Native American name? 
2. How do I give a non-Native American child a Native American name?
3. How do I give a pet a Native American name? 
4. How do I give place a Native American name?
5. How do I give a club or other social organization a Native American name?
6. How do I find out the Native American name(s) of a place?
7. How do I find out if a place name is Native American?
8. How do I find out if a personal name or surname is Native American?
9. How do I pronounce a Native American placename or other word?
10. How can I get in touch with Native American relatives?
11. How many Native American languages are there?
12. How many Native American language families are there?
13. How can I learn Native American language ...?
14. In particular, I need to know a language for singing.
15. In particular, how can I learn Dakota, Lakota, or "Sioux"?
16. What information is there available on Native American language ...?
17. How do I find linguistic publications?
18. Are there any scholars working on Native American language ... that I can consult?
19. What is the term for ... in Native American language ...?
20. What is the etymology of the Native American term ...?
21. In particular, how do I find out the meaning of a Native American placename or other word?
22. What is the etymology of some English word of Native American origin or reference?
23. In particular, what is the etymology of "hethushka"?
24. In particular, what is the etymology of "Cheyenne"?
25. In particular, what is the etymology of "Sioux"?
26. Should the name "Sioux" be used?
27. Should the name "Winnebago" be used?
28. In particular, doesn't the word 'squaw' mean 'vagina'?
29. Should I use the word 'squaw'?
30. What languages are found in the Plains and Southwestern areas?
31. What is the family tree of the Siouan langauge family?
32. What are the dialects of Dakotan (or "Sioux")?
33. What are the external relations of Siouan?
34. What is the family tree of the Caddoan language family?
35. What are those Pawnees saying in Dances with Wolves?
36. What is the family tree of the Algonquian language family?
37. What is the family tree of the Tanoan language family?
38. What is Athabascan?
39. Are there any known relationships between Native American and non-American languages?
40. Is Mandan related to Welsh?
41. Is Cherokee related to Hebrew?
42. Are any Siouan languages related to Turkish?
43. Are Native American languages in danger of extinction?
44. How can Native American languages be preserved?
45. Where can I find out about Native American music?
46. How many words are there in a typical Native American language?
47. How many words for snow are there in Eskimo languages?
48. What does Quimosabe mean?

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Revised: April 18, 1999.

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Last modified: April 18, 1999