The Conestoga language is a northern Iroquoian language, closely related to the Onondaga and Oneida languages, and more distantly related to other Iroquoian languages like Cherokee and Tuscarora. It is so closely related to Oneida language that some historical sources refer to Conestoga language as a dialect of Oneida, and it has been recorded that Oneida language was spoken at Conestoga town, alongside several other Native languages.

In 1757, Tāyāhaōndeate (William “Bill” Sack), who would later be murdered in the 1763 massacre, shared one of the earliest dictionaries of Mingo language, which was spoken regularly at Conestoga. The Mingo language is a very close relative of Seneca language, and it has survived in near completeness to modern times. In honor of Tāyāhaōndeate’s contribution, the tribe today is committed to restoring and maintaining the Mingo language.

However, from what remains of Conestoga language, it is obvious that it is quite closely related to other Northern Iroquoian languages. Below, you will find a comparison of counting words in Conestoga, Oneida, and Onondaga languages. Using a phonetic spelling, you can see how closely related they are!