Here's what we know:
* Limited written record: The Calusa did not have a written language, so our knowledge comes solely from oral accounts and observations from early Spanish explorers.
* No surviving speakers: The Calusa population was decimated by disease and conflict with Europeans, and the last speakers likely died out in the 18th century.
* Words and phrases: While we lack a complete vocabulary, some words and phrases have been recorded by early Europeans. Examples include: "Calusa" itself, meaning "people of the pine trees" or "people from the coast"; "Ciboney," referring to a related group; and the name for their leader, "Cacique."
* Possible connections: Some scholars have proposed potential connections to the Arawakan family of languages, which were spoken in the Caribbean and parts of South America, but this is still debated.
Ongoing research:
Despite the lack of a complete record, linguists continue to research the Calusa language, hoping to find more information about its structure and potential connections to other languages. This research relies on careful analysis of existing records, historical linguistics, and comparative studies with other Native American languages.
In conclusion: While we don't have a definitive name for the Calusa language, it is considered a lost language isolate with a limited but valuable historical record.