between those two and Proto-Algonquian is that word initial became an in Powhatan and Proto-Eastern Algonquian. Ex: PA 'it is high' → . Word final vowels are deleted if they are preceded by a consonant between Proto-Algonquian and Powhatan. Ex: PA 'earthwork' → . Powhatan drops the difference between and that is found in Proto-Algonquian. Similarly, PA becomes a in Powhatan, unless it in a word final position of a particle or inflectional morphemes, where it is deleted. Furthermore PA becomes a . Ex: PA 'duck' → ; PA 'sand' → ; PA 'little dog' → . History Pre-colonial history The Powhatan language formed from a split from other Eastern Algonquian languages, and southward moving groups replaced earlier cultures in the area as the language became more distinct. There is no certainty as to whether or not Carolina Algonquian was a distinct language from Powhatan, as ultimately Carolina Algonquian groups such as the Chowanoke, Croatan, and Machapunga are ethnically branches of the Powhatan groups of Virginia. Powhatan was likely the dominant language of what is now eastern Virginia, and was used in the Powhatan Chiefdom. European contact The first Europeans to encounter the Powhatan were the Spanish. They gave this region the name Ajacán, and they may have sailed up the Potomac River; however, Spanish colonization ultimately failed in this area. English colonists arrived in 1607 with Captain John Smith, and established the settlement of Jamestown. Smith recorded only about 50 words in Powhatan, but William Strachey, a writer and fellow colonist, managed to record about 500 words. Because at this time Powhatan was still the dominant language, and because during the early years the English colonists were dependent on the Powhatan for food, the colonists had to learn the newly encountered language. The English language started borrowing many words from Powhatan; the language has been credited with being the source of more English loans than any other indigenous language. Most such words were likely borrowed very early, probably before conflict arose between the Powhatan and the colonists in 1622. Among these words are: chinquapin (Castanea pumila), chum (as in chumming), hickory, hominy, matchcoat, moccasin, muskrat, opossum, persimmon, pokeweed, pone (as in corn pone), raccoon, terrapin, tomahawk, and wicopy. As English colonists continued to expand onto Powhatan territory, the reverse began to happen: Powhatan people now had to learn English. Spoken Powhatan language has declined since 1790. Modern era In