The Nicoleño language is an extinct language, not spoken since last speaker Juana Maria's death in 1853. Its extant remnants consist only of four words and two songs attributed to her. This evidence was recorded by non-speakers, as contemporary accounts are clear that no one could be found who could understand Juana Maria. The four Nicoleño words that were translated were tocah, meaning "animal hide"; nache, meaning "man"; toygwah, meaning "sky"; and puoochay, meaning "body".[1]
In 2000, linguist Pamela Munro argued that Nicoleño was part of the Cupan group of Takic languages, and not closely related to Tongva. According to Munro's analysis, Nicoleño had similarities to both the Luiseño–Juaneño and the Cupeño–Cahuilla branches of Cupan, and possibly represented a third distinct branch.[3]
Munro, Pamela (2000). "Takic Foundations of Nicoleño Vocabulary"(PDF). Proceedings of the Fifth California Islands Symposium. Fifth California Islands Symposium. Santa Barbara: US Department of the Interior. pp. 659–668.