10 rare languages still spoken across the U.S. that are worth saving

Across the United States, many Indigenous languages are spoken by fewer people each year. These examples show how language loss often happens quietly, over generations. Learning about them helps explain important parts of American history that are rarely discussed but still shape communities today. Keep reading to discover 10 languages you probably didn’t know existed.

Today, only a small number of people can still speak Chinook fluently. This language is associated with Indigenous communities of the Pacific Northwest, particularly along the Columbia River in present-day Oregon and Washington.

In the 19th century, Chinook played an important role in regional communication, especially through Chinook Jargon, a simplified trade language used by Native peoples, settlers, and traders. During the early 20th century, the use of English increased in schools, government, and business, which reduced the everyday use of Chinook. Linguists now classify the language as critically endangered, although dictionaries, recordings, and community teaching programs are available to support learning and preservation.

For much of the 1800s, Comanche was spoken across large areas of present-day Texas, Oklahoma, and surrounding states. It is the traditional language of the Comanche Nation, whose communities were widely distributed across the Southern Plains. They call themselves Nu-muu or Numunuu, meaning "The People" or "Our People."

Historical records show that Comanche was used in daily life, trade, and community communication. During the 20th century, English became more common in schools and public settings, and fewer children learned it at home. By the late 1900s, most fluent speakers were older adults. Today, Comanche is classified as severely endangered, and preservation efforts include language classes, recorded lessons, and educational materials designed for younger tribal members.

This is the traditional language of the Menominee people, a Native American tribe whose homeland is in present-day Wisconsin. The name Menominee comes from an Algonquian word meaning "wild rice people," given by neighboring tribes because wild rice was a vital food source for them.

Historical sources show that Menominee was used regularly in homes and community life into the early 1900s. As English became dominant, fewer families passed the language on to children. By the late 20th century, only a small number of fluent speakers remained. Today, Menominee is classified as critically endangered, but language immersion schools, adult classes, and community-led programs are actively working to increase everyday use among younger generations.

The Osage language belongs to the Osage Nation, whose people historically lived in parts of present-day Missouri and Arkansas before relocating to Oklahoma. Written and oral records indicate that Osage was commonly spoken in daily life through the early 20th century. Today, the language is often considered very vulnerable, meaning it is still spoken but at risk. Preservation efforts include a standardized writing system introduced in the 2000s, language classes, and educational programs organized by the Osage Nation to support new speakers.

Spoken among Pawnee communities in what is now Nebraska and later in Oklahoma, historical accounts show that this language was still in regular use in the early 1900s. The name "Pawnee" likely comes from a word like Pariki or Pani, meaning "horn," referencing the tribe's distinctive hairstyle where a scalp-lock was stiffened to stand up like a horn

By the middle of the 20th century, English had largely replaced Pawnee in homes, schools, and public settings. Today, it’s classified as critically endangered, with only a small number of fluent speakers. Audio recordings, written dictionaries, and grammar descriptions are now key resources for language classes and community-led education efforts.

The traditional territory of the Tolowa people is northwestern California, close to the border with Oregon. The name "Tolowa" comes from a Yurok/Wiyot term, Taa-laa-welh, meaning "people of Lake Earl," referring to their ancestral lands. However, the Tolowa people's own name for themselves is Dee-ni', meaning "person" or "citizen."

Their language was used in everyday life well into the 19th century, but by the late 20th century, census data and linguistic surveys indicate that only a small number of fluent speakers remain. Today, Tolowa is classified as critically endangered, though tribal organizations have partnered with universities and language specialists to record vocabulary, oral histories, and pronunciation, creating resources that can be used in the future.

The Washo are the Indigenous people of the Lake Tahoe region and the surrounding Great Basin/Sierra Nevada, known for their famous basketry. Their language was commonly spoken up to the early 20th century. As formal education in English became more widespread, fewer children learned Washo at home, and daily use declined over time.

Today, Washo is classified as severely endangered. Preservation efforts include language classes, written dictionaries, and audio recordings that are used by community members to support learning and maintain use of the language.

Wintu refers to a group of related languages traditionally spoken in northern California, mainly in areas around the Sacramento River and nearby regions. Historical accounts show that these languages were actively used by native communities throughout the 1800s. During the 20th century, however, the number of fluent speakers declined steadily, and by the late 1900s, only a few remained.

Today, Wintu languages are classified as critically endangered. Most of what is known about them comes from written documentation and audio recordings created by linguists and Wintu tribal members, which are now used for teaching.

Yuchi is unusual because it is not closely related to most other Native languages in the southeastern United States, making it linguistically distinct. It was traditionally spoken in areas that are now Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama, and later in Oklahoma after forced relocations in the 19th century.

During the 20th century, the number of speakers declined. Today, Yuchi is classified as critically endangered, with only a small number of fluent speakers remaining. Current teaching programs aim to introduce basic vocabulary and everyday conversation to younger community members so the language can continue to be learned and used.

Yokuts is a family of related Indigenous languages traditionally spoken by different communities across California’s Central Valley. Each community had its own variety, which explains why Yokuts is described as a language family rather than a single language.

During the 20th century, several of these varieties stopped being spoken entirely as younger generations shifted to English. Other Yokuts varieties still exist but are spoken by only a small number of people, often older adults. For this reason, linguists classify most Yokuts languages as critically endangered. Written notes, audio recordings, and word lists collected by researchers and community members in the early and mid-1900s are now essential resources for teaching and preservation.

Decoding

Being a "treasured guest" is not a compliment. This is the hidden meaning

Have you ever heard "Code Adam" while shopping for groceries at Walmart? Or maybe you’ve heard how "Dr. Firestone" was being paged during a routine hospital visit. They sound like harmless announcements. But behind these ordinary words are secret codes staff use to signal emergencies without causing panic. From hospitals and supermarkets to airports and Disney Parks, these phrases quietly warn employees that something is happening. You hope you never hear them, but if you do, it helps to know exactly what they mean.

We all love getting special attention at airports or hotel desks, but if you hear the clerk call you a "treasured guest," don’t feel so flattered. You may not be as VIP as one could think.

In the hospitality industry, "treasured guest" has become a humorous bit of industry folklore to describe someone causing trouble. Maybe a customer yelling at staff over expired coupons, demanding impossible accommodations, or throwing a full-blown tantrum at the front desk. Whatever it is, the phrase has become the staff’s secret way to warn co-workers without escalating the situation in front of the customers. Most guests don’t realize the meaning, but once you know it, you may start hearing it more often. We just hope it’s not about you.

Imagine you’re pushing a shopping cart through Walmart when suddenly the overhead speaker announces, "Code Adam." You can easily assume it’s some kind of employee meeting or cleanup request. But when you see them start locking the exits and moving around, you know something’s wrong.

This code was created in 1994 by Walmart in collaboration with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), in memory of the tragic case of 6-year-old Adam Walsh. Adam was abducted from a Sears department store in 1981 while shopping with his mother. His father, John Walsh, later became famous for hosting the TV program America’s Most Wanted and advocating for missing children. Even if Adam’s story ended in tragedy, Walmart created the emergency system in Adam’s memory, and other retailers soon adopted it nationwide, intending to have a quick response to missing or abducted children.

You’re sitting in a hospital waiting room during a routine check-up when you suddenly hear "Code Blue, Room 214." Most people immediately know it sounds serious, even if they are not entirely sure why.

The phrase "Code Blue" is used at hospitals to draw the necessary staff and equipment to perform a resuscitation. It was created in the early 1960s at Beathany Medical Center by Dr. Hughes Day. Before then, hospital resuscitations were often chaotic and poorly coordinated. In 1961, Dr. Day received a grant to build one of America’s first cardiac care centers, and he developed both the Code Blue alert system and the modern crash cart to improve survival rates during cardiac emergencies. Today, the system is used in hospitals across the country, sometimes with specialized versions like "Code Blue Pediatric" or "Code Blue Neonate."

Imagine visiting a loved one in the hospital when the intercom calmly announces, "Paging Dr. Firectone to the third floor." Your head surely goes, "Dr. Firestone’s probably having a busy day up there." He is, but it’s not what you think.

The phrase is actually a discreet fire alert used to warn staff about smoke, flames, or overheating equipment without frightening patients and visitors. Hospitals adopted these coded announcements after realizing that openly yelling "fire" over loudspeakers could create panic, especially among patients who aren’t able to move quickly. "Code Red" is an alternative used by many health centers today, but it also hints at the situation while keeping hallways calm.

You’re standing at a checkout counter when the cashier picks up the phone and quietly says, "I need a Code 10 authorization." If you think that’s just another way to get a supervisor’s approval or technical issue, think again. In reality, the cashier may suspect the credit card is stolen or fraudulent.

Code 10 was developed through a cooperative effort between major credit card companies like Visa and Mastercard, along with international standard organizations. As credit cards became more common in the 1960s and 1970s, stores needed a discreet way to alert banks about suspicious activity without directly accusing customers and potentially putting employees at danger. When a cashier requests a Code 10, the bank’s operator begins asking yes-or-no questions to assess the situation and guide the employee on what to do next.

You’ve probably experienced those long airport security lines. The wait is usually uneventful. But sometimes, you can hear "Code Bravo" over the speakers. Maybe it’s a delay, or maybe it’s an issue with luggage. Within seconds, people stop moving, the security line freezes, and exits may even close. It’s something bigger.

Code Bravo is the emergency phrase used by airport security and the Transportation Security Administration to signal a serious security threat, such as an unattended bag, a breach at a checkpoint, or someone slipping into a restricted area. The term comes from the international phonetic alphabet used in aviation and military communications, where "Bravo" represents the letter B. When this is called, security staff immediately lock down affected areas, stop screening lines, and search for the source of the threat. To passengers, it’s sudden and confusing, but to security, it’s a carefully rehearsed response.

You are heading back to your cabin on a cruise ship when the speakers announce, "Code Alpha, Deck 7." You may think Alpha is related to the captain, but that’s not the case. It means someone on board is suffering a medical emergency.

The phrase comes from the NATO phonetic alphabet, where "Alpha" represents the letter A. In maritime emergency jargon, it became shorthand for a Priority A medical situation requiring immediate response. Cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line commonly use the term, though some ships use variations like repeating "Alpha" three times. Once the code is announced, onboard medical teams rush toward the specified deck or cabin. If necessary, stretcher crews are mobilized, and in severe cases, the ship may even divert course toward the nearest port for emergency evacuation. Passengers are enjoying the views, but the staff is running to save a life.

Anyone who remembers the CB radio craze of the 1970s probably smiles when they hear "10-4." Movies, truckers, and radio fans turned those number codes into a part of American culture. So if you overhear "10-33" on a police scanner, you might assume it’s just another routine message. But it’s not as simple as it sounds.

The 10-code system was first created in 1937 by Illinois State Police communications director Charles Hopper and later standardized by the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, better known as APCO. Officers needed short phrases they could understand clearly over crackling radio signals. The 10-33 code commonly means an officer needs emergency assistance. In some departments, it also signals radio silence so dispatchers can focus on the crisis unfolding in real time.

Disney World is amazing, the parks offer something for everyone, and there are things to see wherever you look. But that’s exactly the kind of place where a child can easily disappear into a sea of strollers, balloons, characters, and crowds. For that reason, Disney has developed the "Signal 70," which alerts cast members and security that a child has become separated from their family.

The number comes from older police and emergency radio systems, where "70" was commonly associated with missing persons. Disney adopted the phrase because it allows employees to communicate discreetly without frightening or alarming nearby guests. If a member finds the child, they gently -and magically- escort them to Baby Care Center, where they coordinate the reunion.

Cruises are great to relax, enjoying a good book under the sun with a nice drink by the side. Until you hear "Echo, echo, echo" on the speakers. If you do, something is happening somewhere else on the ship.

The code is used among cruise employees to signal that dangerous winds or a navigational hazard are affecting the ship. It comes from the international maritime phonetic alphabet, where "Echo" stands for the letter E. In maritime signalling, the letter traditionally means "I am altering my course to starboard." And, in time, the phrase became associated with urgent ship maneuvers and weather-related warnings. However urgent, the repetition of the word by three doesn’t represent life-threatening situations. It alerts the crew of a certain hazard to prepare while avoiding panic among passengers.