Tachi is an endangered dialect of Southern Valley Yokuts historically spoken north of Tulare Lake in the Central Valley of California. A. L. Kroeber estimated that Tachi was, at one point, one of the most widely spoken Yokutsan dialects.[2]

Tachi
Tachi Yokuts song recorded by A. L. Kroeber
Native toUnited States
RegionCalifornia
EthnicityTachi Yokuts
Native speakers
"a few" (2018)[1]
Yok-Utian ?
Language codes
ISO 639-3
GlottologNone

As of 2019, a few individuals of the Santa Rosa Rancheria are reportedly able to speak Tachi.[1][3]

Grammar

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Tachi has been described as following a subject–verb–object word order though may allow for verb-initial order. The dialect uses dative case and lacks possessed case.[4]

Status

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Speakers

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In 1988, an estimated 30 individuals spoke Tachi, including a number who spoke Tachi as a first language.[5][6]

Revival efforts

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In 1987, the Santa Rosa Rancheria piloted a language renewal program, Tachi as a Second Language, through the tribe's Head Start language program.[6] The program sought to increase language exposure among young children within the tribe.[5]

 
Information on Tachi published by A. L. Kroeber

References

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  1. ^ a b Asher, R. E.; Moseley, Christopher (2018-04-19). Atlas of the World's Languages. Routledge. p. 25. ISBN 9781317851080.
  2. ^ Kroeber, A. L. (1925). Handbook of the Indians of California. Washington: Government Printing Office. p. 484. hdl:2027/mdp.39015006584174. OCLC 906067458.
  3. ^ Moseley, Christopher (2008-03-10). Encyclopedia of the World's Endangered Languages. Routledge. ISBN 9781135796402.
  4. ^ Rhodes, Ryan (2013). "Clausal architecture of chukchansi yokuts". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. ^ a b Britsch-Devany, Susan (1988). "The Collaborative Development of a Language Renewal Program for Preschoolers". Human Organization. 47 (4): 297–302. doi:10.17730/humo.47.4.d3178g8w7w23h170. ISSN 0018-7259. JSTOR 44126734.
  6. ^ a b Britsch, Susan (1989). "Research Currents: The Contribution of the Preschool to a Native American Community". Language Arts. 66 (1): 52–57. doi:10.58680/la198924848. ISSN 0360-9170. JSTOR 41411354.