What languages are spoken by Chumash Indians?

Answer 1

The Chumash of California are classified as speaking a Hokan language which was made up of various dialects - in the Santa Ynez Valley the language was called Shamala, which was also the native name for themselves. Other dialects are today called Purisimeno, Ventureno, Barbareno, Obiospeno and others - they have all become nearly or totally extinct.

A few words in Samala Chumash are:

• matak' (adobe)
• mo (paint)
• momu (black paint)
• muhu (horned owl)
• mup (cave)
• maxa (to be blind)
• mayawi (to be dizzy)

Answer 2

The Chumash people speak English. Historically,they spoken Chumash Languages.

Chumashan consists of 6 languages, all of which are currently extinct:

1. Obispeño (also known as Northern Chumash)
2. Island Chumash (also known as Ysleño, Isleño, Cruzeño)
3. Ineseño
4. Purisimeño
5. Barbareño
6. Ventureño

The last native speaker of Barbareño was Mary Yee, who died in 1965. Efforts are being made to revive at least 1 of the languages.