Only a small collection of words and phrases of Southern Yana (more properly, Northern Yahi)[3] were recorded by Sapir in his work with Sam Batwi, who spoke the dialect only in his childhood.

The two pairs differ from each other in phonological, lexical, and grammatical elements, and can only be understood by the other side with difficulty.

Sapir suggested a grouping of Yana within a Northern Hokan sub-family with Karuk, Chimariko, Shastan, Palaihnihan, and Pomoan.

Unlike other languages of the region, Yana has different word forms used by male and female speakers.

The present terminology reflects the conclusion reached in Sapir and Spier (1943) 244 concerning the probable interrelations in Yanan.