The Juaneño language belonged to the Shoshonean branch of the Uto-Aztecan linguistic stock, their speech being a variant of Luiseno.
Juaneño Indians. Derived from the mission of San Juan Capistrano in California. Also called:
Gaitchim, given by Gatschet (1876). Netela, given by Hale (1846), meaning “my language.”
Location. From the Pacific Ocean to the crest of the southern continuation of the Sierra Santa Ana. Southward, toward the Luiseno, the boundary ran between the San Onofre and Las Pulgas; on the north, toward the Gabrielino, it is said to have followed Alisos Creek.
Villages:
- Ahachmai, on the lower course of San Juan Creek below the mission of San Juan Capistrano.
- Alona, north of the Mission of San Juan Capistrano.
- Hechmai, near the coast south of Arroyo San Onofre.
- Humai, on the middle course of San Juan Creek.
- Palasakeuna, at the head of Arroyo San Mateo.
- Panhe, near the mouth of Arroyo San Mateo.
- Piwiva, on San Juan Creek above San Juan Capistrano.
- Pu-tuid-em, near the coast between San Juan and Aliso Creeks.
Population: The Juaneflo were estimated by Kroeber (1925) at 1,000 in 1770; the census of 1910 returned 16. (See Alliklik.)