Patwin language
Patwin (Patween) is a critically endangered Wintuan language of Northern California. As of 2021, there was one documented first language speaker of Patwin. As of 2010, Patwin language classes were taught at the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation (formerly Rumsey Rancheria) tribal school (Dubin 2010).
| Patwin | |
|---|---|
| Southern Wintun | |
| Native to | United States |
| Region | Colusa, Lake, Napa, Solano, and Yolo Counties, northern California |
| Ethnicity | Patwin |
Native speakers | 1 (as of 2021) |
| Revival | Being taught in schools and learned by adults |
Wintuan
| |
| Dialects |
|
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | pwi |
| Glottolog | patw1250 |
| ELP | Patwin |
Patwin is classified as Critically Endangered by the UNESCO Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger | |
Patwin has two (excl. Southern Patwin) or three (incl. Southern Patwin) dialects: "River Patwin (or Valley Patwin) was traditionally spoken along the Sacramento River in Colusa County ... Hill Patwin, was spoken in the plains and foothills to the west."
Southern Patwin became extinct shortly after contact. It is very poorly attested, and may be a separate Southern Wintuan language (Mithun 1999).
As of 2012, the Tewe Kewe Cultural Center of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation has "a California Indian Library Collection and an extensive Patwin language and history research section."