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Cheyenne

Cheyenne is a Plains Indian language of the Algonquian family, spoken by the Cheyenne people of the Great Plains of the United States and Canada. The Cheyenne language is closely related to Arapaho and Lakota, and more distantly to other Algonquian languages. The Cheyenne language is spoken by about 10,000 people, most of whom live in Oklahoma and Montana. Cheyenne is one of the few indigenous languages still spoken in the US, and is considered endangered. The Cheyenne language is a polysynthetic language, meaning that words can be very long and complex. Cheyenne words are made up of smaller parts, which can be combined to create new words. This makes the language very flexible, and allows speakers to communicate very specific ideas. Cheyenne has a complex system of honorifics, which are used to show respect for elders and other respected members of the community. Cheyenne also has a rich tradition of oral literature, including stories, songs, and prayers. The Cheyenne language is under threat from English, which is the dominant language in the US. Cheyenne speakers are often not fluent in English, and as a result, their children often grow up speaking only English. There are efforts underway to revitalize the Cheyenne language, and to ensure that it is passed down to future generations. Cheyenne language classes are offered in some schools, and there are a number of Cheyenne language resources available online.

Language group

Algonquian languages

Language locales, regions and scripts

Cheyenne
chy
Cheyenne, Latin
chy-Latn