The Powhatan language, also known as Virginia Algonquian is an extinct language spoken by the Powhatan people of tidewater Virginia in the late 16th and early 17th century. It was the first language of Wahunsonacock and Pocahontas. What little is known of it is by way of word-lists recorded by William Strachey and Captain John Smith.

For the film The New World, Blair Rudes, a specialist in past and present American Indian languages from the University of North Carolina, attempted a reconstruction of the language from these word-lists and knowledge of other Algonquian languages.

External links

• How a linguist revived ‘New World’ language accessed 16 April 2006.
• UNC Charlotte linguist restores lost language, culture for 'The New World' accessed 16 April 2006.
• [http://www.native-languages.org/powhatan.htm Native Languages of the Americas: Powhatan