Hittite language
The use of the term "Proto-Hittite" as a designation for Hattians is inaccurate. Hittite language (natively known as "Nešili", "[in the language] of Neša") is an Indo-European language, linguistically distinct from Hattian language. The Hittites continued to use the term Land of Hatti for their own state. The Hattians eventually merged with people who spoke Indo-European languages like Hittite, Luwian, and Palaic.