Creek Language - Sam Noble Museum

The Creek language was an important political and trade language used throughout the southeastern United States. The Mvskoke Creek is politically and historically distinct from Seminole Creek, although they are both dialects of the same language. The Seminole Indians of Florida consist of two major linguistic groups that speak Mikasuki and Creek. The term Seminole is borrowed from the Spanish cimarron ‘wild one’ and refers to the people who broke away from the Muscogee Confederacy in historical times. Creek is a member of the eastern branch of the Muskogean language family. Related languages include Alabama, Koasati, Mikasuki, Hichiti, Choctaw, and Chickasaw.

Seminole Creek is politically and historically distinct from the Muscogee Creek language, but the languages use many of the same resources. Seminole Creek is member of the eastern branch of the Muskogean language family. Related languages include Alabama, Koasati, Hichiti, Mikasuki, Choctaw, and Chickasaw. The Seminole Indians of Florida consist of two major linguistic groups that speak Mikasuki and Creek. The term Seminole is borrowed from the Spanish cimarron ‘wild one’ and refers to the people who broke away from the Muscogee Confederacy in historical times.

Selected Language Information

Innes, Pamela, Linda Alexander, and Bertha Tilkens. 2004. Beginning Creek: Mvskoke Emponvkv. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press.

Loughridge, Robert M. and David M. Hodge. 1964. Dictionary of Muskogee and English. Okmulgee, OK: Baptist Home Mission Board.

Martin, Jack B., Margaret McKane Mauldin, and Juanita McGirt. 2011. A Grammar of Creek (Muskogee). Lincoln: University of Nebraska.

Martin, Jack B. and Margaret McKane Mauldin. 2000. A Dictionary of Creek/Muskogee. University of Nebraska Press.

Martin, Jack B., Margaret McKane Mauldin, and Juanita McGirt. 2004. Totkv Mocvse- New Fire: Creek Folktales by Earnest Gouge. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press.