Tribal Language

Ignacio, Colorado.

The language of the Utes is Shoshonean which is a branch or a dialect of the Uto-Aztecan Language. It is believed that the people who speak Shoshonean separated from other Uto-Aztecan speaking groups about the time of the birth of Christ. Other Indian groups of the United States who speak Shoshonean are the Paiutes, Goshutes, Shoshones, Bannocks, Comanches, Chemehuevi and some tribes in California.
Presently English is the predominate language used in the educational, social and business activities of the tribal membership. An estimated 15% of the total tribal population of 1316 converse in their tribal language. A very small number of tribal members are bilingual or trilingual speaking English and Ute or English, Ute and Spanish.

Government Background