Editing Tlingit language (section)

==Classification==
Tlingit is currently classified as a distinct and separate branch of Na-Dene, an [[indigenous languages of the Americas|indigenous language family of North America]]. [[Edward Sapir]] (1915) argued for its inclusion in the Na-Dené family, a claim that was subsequently debated by [[Franz Boas]] (1917), [[Pliny Earle Goddard|P.E. Goddard]] (1920), and many other prominent linguists of the time. This tribe is commonly known for being a big part of “touching spirit bear”

Studies in the late 20th century by (Heinz-)Jürgen Pinnow (1962, 1968, 1970, int. al.) and [[Michael E. Krauss]] (1964, 1965, 1969, int. al.) showed a strong connection to [[Eyak language|Eyak]] and hence to the [[Athabaskan languages]].

Sapir initially proposed a connection between Tlingit and [[Haida language|Haida]], but the debate over Na-Dene gradually excluded Haida from the discussion. Haida is now considered an [[language isolate|isolate]], with some borrowing from its long proximity with Tlingit. In 2004, the Haida linguist John Enrico presented new arguments and reopened the debate. [[Victor Golla]] writes in his 2011 ''California Native Languages'', "John Enrico, the contemporary linguist with the deepest knowledge of Haida, continues to believe that a real, if distant, genetic relationship connects Haida to Na-Dene[.]"<ref name="Golla2011">{{cite book|last=Golla|first=Victor|author-link=Victor Golla|title=California Indian Languages|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B_yqdSE1F8wC&pg=PA303|year=2011|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-26667-4|page=303}}</ref>