The Cupan languages is a branch of the Uto-Aztecan language family that comprises Cupeño, Ivilyuat (Cahuilla), Luiseño-Juaneño, and perhaps Nicoleño^{[citation needed]}, all historically spoken in southern California.

Cupan
Geographic distribution	southern California
Linguistic classification	Uto-Aztecan Northern Cupan
Subdivisions	Cupeño † Ivilyuat Luiseño ? Nicoleño †
Glottolog	cupa1239
Historical extent of Cupan languages

The branch had long been considered to be part of the Takic subgroup, but there is doubt about the validity of Takic as a genetic unit, the similarities between the languages classed as Takic possibly being due primarily to borrowing.[1][2]

Languages and dialects

• Luiseño-Juaneño language
  • Luiseño dialect cluster[3]
  • Juaneño dialect †
• Ivilyuat (also known as Cahuilla)
  • Mountain Cahuilla dialect[3]
  • Pass Cahuilla dialect (also known as Wanikik)[4] †
  • Desert Cahuilla dialect
• Cupeño †
  • Cupa dialect[5] †
  • Wilaqalpa dialect †
  • Paluqla dialect †

(†) – Extinct language

References