Keres language
(Redirected from Keresan)
The Keres language is a group of seven related dialects spoken by Pueblo peoples in New Mexico, U.S.A. Each is mutually intelligible with its neighbors. There is significant diversity between the Western and Eastern groups.
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Dialects
- Eastern dialects: total of 4,580 speakers (1990 census)
- Cochiti Pueblo: 384 speakers (1990 census)
- San Felipe-Santo Domingo: San Felipe Pueblo: 1,560 speakers (1990 census), Santo Domingo Pueblo: 1,880 speakers (1990 census)
- Zia-Santa Ana: Zia Pueblo: 463 speakers (1990 census), Santa Ana Pueblo: 229 speakers (1990 census)
- Western dialects: total of 3,391 speakers (1990 census)
- Acoma Pueblo: 1,696 speakers (1980 census)
- Laguna Pueblo: 1,695 speakers (1990 census)
Genetic classification
Keres is a language isolate.
Sapir grouped it together with a Hokan-Siouan stock. Swadesh suggests a connection with Wichita. Greenberg grouped Keres with Siouan, Yuchi, Caddoan, and Iroquoian families into a super-stock called Keresiouan. All of these proposals have been rejected by specialists.
Pronunciation
"Keres" is pronounced "KERRess" (IPA /kɛɹɛs/) in English. It is often replaced by Keresan, pronounced "keREEsan" (/kəˈɹiːsən/), by at least some bilingual speakers.
External links
Bibliography
- Campbell, Lyle. (1997). American Indian languages: The historical linguistics of Native America. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0–19–509427–1.
- Mithun, Marianne. (1999). The languages of Native North America. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0–521–23228–7 (hbk); ISBN 0–521–29875-X.