Sahaptin

Ethnologue distinguishes 4 Sahaptin languages: Northeast Sahaptin [waa], Tenino [tqn], Umatilla [uma], Walla Walla (Northeast Sahaptin) [waa], and Yakima [yak]. These are considered dialects of Sahaptin by others. Sahaptin has marked dialectal diversity: Southern Sahaptin (or “River”), Northwest Sahaptin, and Northeast Sahaptin. Southern Sahaptin (or “River”) varieties were originally spoken along the Columbia River from the Dalles to the Umatilla River, and included Tenino, Wayam, and Umatilla. Northwest Sahaptin varieties were spoken in the Yakima River drainage and included Klickitat, Taitnapam, Upper Nisqually, Yakima, and Kittitas. Northeast Sahaptin varieties were spoken on the Columbia River above Southern Sahaptin and along the lower Snake River, and included Walla Walla, Wanapam, and Palouse.