Na Dene etymology

Etymology

• The term "Na Dene" is a linguistic term that refers to a group of indigenous languages spoken in western North America.
• It is derived from the names of the two largest language families in the group: Na-Dene (Athabaskan-Eyak-Tlingit) and Dene-Yeniseian (Ket).
• The term "Na" (Athabaskan) comes from the Dene Suline (Northern Athabaskan) word for "people."
• The term "Dene" (also spelled "Dené" or "Diné") comes from the Athabaskan word for "person."

Meaning

• "Na Dene" literally means "our people" or "the people of our kind."
• It refers to the linguistic and cultural similarities among the speakers of the Na Dene languages.

Origin

• The Na Dene languages are thought to have originated in a proto-language that was spoken in eastern Asia, possibly around the Bering Strait.
• Around 15,000 years ago, Na Dene-speaking peoples are believed to have migrated across the Bering Land Bridge into North America.
• Over time, the Na Dene proto-language diverged into the various branches and languages that are spoken today.

Branches of the Na Dene Language Family

Na-Dene (Athabaskan-Eyak-Tlingit)

• Athabaskan: spoken in North America, from Alaska to Mexico
• Eyak: formerly spoken in Alaska
• Tlingit: spoken in Alaska

Dene-Yeniseian

• Ket: spoken in Siberia, Russia

Na Dene relate terms

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• natron

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• hosanna

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• neither

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• Indian

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• strategy

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• hedge

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