Language Department

While Klamath and Modoc had been documented, the Yahooskin dialect of Paiute remained largely unrecorded for years. That changed when linguist Tim Thornes, under the guidance of University of Oregon advisors, partnered with the Culture and Heritage Committee to document the language. Their efforts led to the creation of the neme yadua Yahooskin Phrasebook in 1995, a landmark achievement made possible by the contributions of Mr. Irwin Weiser, one of the last fluent speakers of Yahooskin Paiute.

Before the work of Thornes, the Culture and Heritage Program had already set the stage for a grassroots language revival. In the late 1980s, under the leadership of Gordon Bettles, they created ?ewksiknii ?am hemkanks, a similar booklet, that preceded the neme yadua Yahooskin Phrasebook, designed to make learning Klamath more approachable for everyday speakers.  

At the same time, the committee made a promise to work with tribal education officials to integrate language and culture into early childhood programs. Through partnerships with initiatives like Head Start, young children could be introduced to our languages, ensuring the language took root in the next generation.

For over two decades, these efforts grew and evolved, leading to the establishment of a department dedicated to language, the Klamath Tribes Language Department, in 2022, a major milestone in the fight to keep our languages thriving.

From day one, the newly formed Language Department set ambitious goals. Weekly training sessions began, focusing on cultural sounds, foundational grammar, and the unique diversity within our tribe’s languages. In collaboration with Dr. Joe Dupris and Dr. Tim Thornes, the department developed structured lessons that honored both traditional oral teachings and modern linguistic methods.

The department’s core teachings include:

The tribal alphabet and sentence structure – building blocks for fluency

International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) training – refining pronunciation and accuracy

Expanding vocabulary and conversational skills – ensuring practical use in daily life

Remote learning opportunities – bringing language education to tribal members across the country

Today, the language department continues to grow, offering weekly Zoom classes in Paiute, Modoc, and Klamath, while recognizing linguistic variations across bands.

Our goals are clear: to make language learning accessible, engaging, and deeply connected to our everyday lives. Through community outreach, digital resources, and intergenerational learning, we are ensuring that our languages don’t just survive but thrive.