We have included twenty basic Lakota words here, to compare with related American Indian languages. It really does pack a bit into this thin volume.
Or just follow the arrows to pick your path for learning Lakota.
It is also important to note that when looking to learn the Lakota language it is best to learn from native Lakota language speakers of the Lakota Sioux nation who are descendants of the Teton Sioux tribe. Developed at Oglala Lakota College, the emphasis is on sound and meaning. All recordings are by native speakers. Overall I do not find this text as bad as others have.
There is considerable mutual intelligibility between the Lakota and Dakota languages, but relatively limited mutual intellibility between the other Siouan languages. The Lakota language today is spoken by thousands of Sioux people living primarily in South Dakota, west of the Missouri River. This textbook is great if you want to get a taste of the Lakota language. LLC provides audio CD's to accompany their text and picture books that will help you hear each words proper pronunciation. Vocabulary in Native American Languages: Lakota Sioux Words Welcome to our Lakota vocabulary page!
The term "Sioux" refers to people of similar ethnic backgrounds and includes Lakota speakers (the most numerous), Dakota and Nakota speakers. Studying a language is a challenge, but it has many great rewards.
The Siouan languages are spoken in the USA and Canada by a total of some 23,000 people. Answer the questionnaire below to see which study plan suits you! For those with speaking as a primary goal, focus on pronunciation. Unfortunately I did not get the tapes either, but still this is a good text if you are familiar with the sounds of the language. It does go into some good vocabulary and grammar.
Sioux. Lakota is a Siouan language, related to other languages like Dakota and Assiniboine.
LLC provides the materials and the opportunities to learn Lakota and will give you expanded access to the Lakota language community via trainings, conferences, and online forums. Lakota (Lakȟótiyapi), also referred to as Lakhota, Teton or Teton Sioux, is a Siouan language spoken by the Lakota people of the Sioux tribes. You can find more Lakota words in our online picture glossaries. Visit Lakota Language Forum to find other students to practice with by writing to each other or forming conversation groups in your area. Their Lakota language program is also offered to the general public as a way to learn Lakota from the foundation of the language.