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underpants

(189,978 posts)
2. I had no idea. How is Dine' pronounced?
Sat Apr 5, 2025, 12:37 PM
Apr 5

While "Navajo" is the commonly used name, the Navajo people refer to themselves as "Diné," which means "the people" in their language.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Diné:
This is the name the Navajo people use for themselves, derived from their Athabascan language, and translates to "the people".
Navajo:
This term is an exonym, meaning it was given to the people by outsiders (specifically, the Spanish) and comes from a Tewa word meaning "place of large planted fields".
Context:
While "Navajo" is widely used and understood, using "Diné" is a more respectful and accurate way to refer to the people and their nation.

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