The Tongva language is the ancestral language of the Tongva (Gabrieleno) people, the original inhabitants of the Los Angeles Basin, Orange County, and the Southern California Channel Islands. A member of the Takic branch of the Uto-Aztecan language family, Tongva was spoken throughout the region for thousands of years before European contact. While there are no longer any first-language speakers, the language is being revitalized through the efforts of Tongva community members, educators, and language programs. Today, the Tongva population is estimated to number several thousand descendants across Southern California. The San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians Gabrieleno/Tongva, which received California state recognition in 1994, continues to maintain an unbroken presence in its ancestral homeland and plays an important role in preserving Tongva history, language, and traditions.
This Tongva course was developed by 7000 Languages 2025-2026 Reclaim and Sustain Fellow Alexis Duro in partnership with her home community, the San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians Gabrieleno/Tongva. Course content draws upon historical documentation recorded from Tongva speakers and community knowledge keepers. Learners build foundational language skills through lessons that introduce vocabulary, pronunciation, and everyday conversation. The course supports ongoing efforts to reclaim and strengthen the Tongva language for current and future generations.