The Apachean language, also known as Navajo or Navaho, is a Southern Athabaskan language spoken by the Navajo people of the Southwestern United States. It is closely related to other Apachean languages such as Western Apache, Chiricahua, and Mescalero-Chiricahua. Navajo is the most widely spoken Native American language in the United States, with over 170, 000 speakers. It is an official language in the Navajo Nation, and is used in many schools and universities.