Here's a breakdown:
* English: The primary language of the expedition members, led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.
* Native American Languages: Lewis and Clark encountered numerous tribes along their journey, each with its own distinct language. Some prominent languages included:
* Mandan: Spoken by the Mandan tribe, with whom the expedition wintered in 1804-1805.
* Hidatsa: Spoken by the Hidatsa tribe, who lived alongside the Mandan.
* Sioux: Spoken by various Sioux tribes encountered throughout the expedition.
* Shoshone: Spoken by the Shoshone tribe, crucial for their journey across the Rocky Mountains.
* Chinook Jargon: A pidgin language used for trade and communication between different tribes and Europeans in the Pacific Northwest.
Lewis and Clark employed interpreters, like Sacagawea, who were fluent in multiple languages. They also learned some words and phrases from the tribes they met, which helped them communicate and forge alliances.
While English was the dominant language, the expedition relied heavily on their ability to communicate in other languages to navigate their journey and establish relationships with the indigenous peoples they encountered.