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The Quapaw language ( Ogáxpa, Okáxpa ), also known as Arkansas, is a Siouan language of the Quapaw people, originally from a region in present-day Arkansas. Later was spoken in Oklahoma.
It is similar to the other Dhegihan languages: Kansa language, Omaha, Osage language and Ponca.
The Quapaw language does not conform well to English language phonetics, and a writing system for the language has not been formally adopted. All of the existing source material on the language utilizes different writing systems, making reading and understanding the language difficult for the novice learner. To address this issue, an online dictionary of the Quapaw language is being compiled which incorporates all of the existing source material known to exist into one document using a version of the International Phonetic Alphabet which has been adapted for Siouan languages.
| + Quapaw Consonants ! colspan="2" | !Bilabial !Dental consonant !Alveolar !Postalveolar !Velar consonant !Glottal |
| +Quapaw Vowels ! !Front vowel !Central vowel !Back vowel |
An online audio lexicon of the Quapaw language is available on the tribal website to assist language learners. The lexicon incorporates audio of first language speakers who were born between 1870 and 1918.
The 2nd Annual Dhegiha Gathering in 2012 brought Quapaw, Osage language, Kaw language, Ponca language, and Omaha language speakers together to share best practices in language revitalization. A Quapaw Tribal Youth Language and Cultural Preservation Camp taught the language to children.
In 2024, the Quapaw Nation Culture Division created a permanent language department which hired language staff, restarted Quapaw language community classes, and is working towards increased language services.
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