Tillamook language

Tillamook language

Tillamook is an old language that is no longer spoken. It belonged to a group of languages called Salishan. It was used by the Tillamook people who lived in northwestern Oregon in the United States.

The last person who could speak Tillamook very well was a woman named Minnie Scovell. She passed away in 1972.

Because Tillamook was in danger of being forgotten, some researchers from the University of Hawai'i worked to save it. They spoke with a few people who still remembered the language. They wrote down many words and ideas. Their work created a special book, a dictionary. The dictionary has 120 pages. It is filled with Tillamook words and their meanings. This book helps people today learn about the Tillamook language and the culture of the Tillamook people.

Phonology

Vowels

The Tillamook language had special vowel sounds made with rounded lips. These sounds were part of one group.

Consonants

Internal rounding

Tillamook had special consonant sounds made by rounding the inside of the mouth. These sounds were different because they did not use the lips. Instead, the tongue shaped the sound. This created a special resonance for some sounds, and the language used special symbols to show these unique sounds.