# Language family and location **What language family is Shoshoni a part of?** Shoshoni is a part of *the Uto-Aztecan language family.* > **What branch of the Uto-Aztecan language family is Shoshoni a part of?** > Shoshoni is a part of *the Numic language branch.* **In which states of the United States is Shoshoni spoken?** Shoshoni is spoken in areas of *Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and Idaho.* **What dialect of Shoshoni is spoken in southern Idaho?** The dialect of Shoshoni spoken in southern Idaho is *Northern Shoshoni.* > **What is the main difference between each dialects of Shoshoni?** > The main difference between each dialect of Shoshoni is *phonology.* # Grammar **How many vowels does Shoshoni have and what distinguishes them?** Shoshoni has *six vowels differentiated by length.* **Shoshoni is a strongly ... language.** Shoshoni is a strongly *suffixed* language. **What is the word order of Shoshoni?** Shoshoni has *a relatively free word order, but shows a preference toward SOV.* **What is the syllable structure in Shoshoni?** The syllables in Shoshoni take the structure of *(C)V(V)(C)*, or: * An optional consonant at the beginning. * At least one vowel. * An optional additional vowel which creates a diphthong. * An optional consonant at the beginning. **What is the typical structure of roots in Shoshoni?** The roots of Shoshoni typically take the structure of *CV(V)CV(V)*, or: * A consonant. * A vowel. * An optional vowel in the middle which creates a diphthong. * A consonant. * A vowel. * An optional vowel at the end which creates a diphthong. **What are the three cases nouns inflect for in Shoshoni?** In Shoshoni, the three cases nouns inflect for are: 1. The subjective. 2. The objective. 3. The possessive. **What are the three numbers nouns inflect for in Shoshoni?** In Shoshoni, nouns inflect for *singular, dual, plural.* **What are the suffixes for number in Shoshoni?** The suffixes for number in Shoshoni include: | | Singular | Dual | Plural | | ---------- | -------- | ------ | ------ | | Subjective | - | -nɨwɨh | -nɨɨn | | Objective | - | -nihi | -nii | | Possessive | - | -nɨhɨn | -nɨɨn | ...