Wakashan (Noun)
Meaning 1
A family of North American Indian languages of British Columbia and Washington.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- Linguists have long been interested in the Wakashan family of languages for its unique grammatical structure and distinctive sound patterns.
- The Wakashan language family is composed of several distinct languages, including Nuu-chah-nulth and Kwak'wala, spoken in British Columbia.
- Wakashan languages are known for their complex systems of suffixes and prefixes, which convey specific information about the speaker's intentions.
- Scholars have classified the Wakashan language family as a linguistic isolate, meaning it does not appear to be related to other North American language families.
- Ethnographic research on the indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest has shed light on the cultural significance of the Wakashan languages in traditional storytelling and spiritual practices.
Synonyms
Meaning 2
A member of one of the peoples in British Columbia and Washington who speak the Wakashan language.
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- The Kwakwaka'wakw tribe is an example of a Wakashan people known for their skill in wood carving.
- The region's indigenous peoples include the Wakashan, Salish, and Haida, each with their own distinct culture.
- The Nuu-chah-nulth language is part of the Wakashan language family, predominant in what is now British Columbia.
- After years of studying indigenous Canadian cultures, the scholar was especially knowledgeable about the Wakashan peoples.
- The collection of masks at the museum offers a glimpse into the rich heritage of the Wakashan people.