navaho
C1Historical, formal/written (especially older texts), ethnological.
Definition
Meaning
A member of a Native American people primarily living in the southwestern United States, or the language spoken by this people.
Pertaining to the Navajo people, their culture, language, or the distinctive art, weaving, and silverwork produced by them. Often used attributively (e.g., Navaho rug, Navaho jewelry). The term is an older, historical variant spelling of the modern standard 'Navajo'.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The spelling 'Navaho' was common in English-language publications until the mid-20th century, after which 'Navajo' became the standard. Using 'Navaho' today may signal a historical or older textual context. It is a proper noun (capitalized).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is used in both varieties, primarily in historical, anthropological, or cultural contexts.
Connotations
Historical, possibly dated. In modern contexts, 'Navajo' is strongly preferred. Using 'Navaho' might imply a quote from an older source.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in modern texts in both varieties, being largely superseded by 'Navajo'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[adjective] Navaho (e.g., traditional Navaho)Navaho [noun] (e.g., Navaho blanket)of the Navaho (e.g., a member of the Navaho)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No specific idioms for this proper noun]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in the context of selling Native American art/antiques (e.g., 'a genuine Navaho rug').
Academic
Used in historical, anthropological, or linguistic texts, often with a note on the modern spelling.
Everyday
Very rare in casual speech; 'Navajo' is the common term.
Technical
Used in ethnology, history of the American West, and museum cataloguing of older collections.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- The museum acquired a rare Navaho saddle blanket from the 1890s.
- His research focused on early 20th-century Navaho silversmithing techniques.
American English
- The auction featured a beautiful, old Navaho weaving.
- She studies the evolution of Navaho language policy in federal documents.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- [Word too specific for A2. Use 'Navajo' instead.]
- The word 'Navaho' is an old way to spell 'Navajo'.
- Some very old books talk about the Navaho people.
- In historical accounts, the spelling 'Navaho' was frequently used before the mid-20th century.
- The anthropologist's 1928 monograph meticulously documented Navaho healing rituals.
- The shift in orthography from 'Navaho' to 'Navajo' in federal documents reflects evolving linguistic sensitivities.
- Critics noted that the exhibition's use of the term 'Navaho' in its signage lent an unintentionally dated feel to the otherwise modern presentation.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Navaho' with an 'H' as the Historical spelling.
Conceptual Metaphor
NAVANHO AS A CULTURAL/HISTORICAL ARTEFACT: The term itself is treated as a relic of a past era of writing.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with generic terms for 'Native American' or 'Indian' ('индеец'). It refers to one specific nation.
- The spelling difference ('Navaho' vs. 'Navajo') does not exist in Russian, which typically uses 'Навахо' for both.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'Navaho' in contemporary writing without a historical reason.
- Pronouncing it /nəˈvɑː.hoʊ/ (the stress is on the first syllable).
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a navaho' instead of 'a Navaho person').
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the spelling 'Navaho' be most appropriate today?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Navaho' is an older English spelling that was common historically. 'Navajo' is the modern, standard spelling used today in almost all contexts, including by the tribe itself (Navajo Nation).
It is not typically considered offensive, but it is dated and may be seen as uninformed or insensitive to modern preferences in a contemporary context. Using the modern spelling 'Navajo' is strongly recommended unless you are directly quoting or referencing a historical source.
The autonym (self-designation) is Diné (pronounced [dɪnɛ]), meaning 'the people'. 'Navajo'/'Navaho' is an exonym originating from Spanish.
No. In academic and historical writing, it is standard practice to preserve the original spelling of a direct quote, often using '[sic]' to indicate the spelling is as it appears in the source. You can note the modern equivalent in your commentary.