Athapaskan

/ˌæθəˈpæskən/ adjective

Definition

Relating to a large family of Native American languages spoken across the Arctic, western North America, and the American Southwest, including Navajo and Apache.

Etymology

Named after the Athabaskan people of Canada and their region. The standard spelling 'Athabaskan' comes from Cree 'athapaskaw' meaning 'meadow' or 'grassy place.'

Kelly Says

The Athapaskan language family spans over 3,000 miles from Alaska to the American Southwest, making it one of the most geographically dispersed language families in North America—linguists believe ancestors migrated southward over thousands of years.

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