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Posted Jan 18, 2002 by nunoportugal
Greetings -
Hi, hello. Kway.
Goodbye. Adio.
I. Nia.
You. Gia.
Yes. Oho.
No. Nda.
How are you? Doni gedowiozin?
I'm fine. Newowlowzi.
And how are you? Ni doni gia?
I too, I'm very well. Nia atsinowlowzi bitta.
Go - walk. Alosa.
Work. Aloka.
Have a good trip. Olibamkanni.
He/she sleeps. Gao.
Say. Ida.
Say this. Ida yo.
Say that. Ida ni.
Say that again. Ida ni mina.
I say yes. Nididam oho.
What did you say? Gagwi gedidam?
He/she is good. Oligo.
It is good. Oligen.
Sleep well. Oligawi.
Dream well. Olegwasi.
Give me. Mili.
Give me something. Mili gagwi.
All, everthing. Mziwi.
Also, too. Atsi.
Who is that? Awani na?
I want something. Nadacowaldam.
Go to sleep! Gawi!
Wake up! Omki!
This. Yo.
That. Ni
What? Gagwi?
What is this? Gagwi yo?
What is that? Gagwi ni?
Here is something. Yo gagwi.
Did you have a good trip? Golibamkanni?
I had a good trip. Nolibamkanni.
Who are you? Awani gia?
Who is she/he? Awani agema?
She/he is my friend. Nidoba agema.
What is that? Gagwi ni?
Man / husband. Sanoba.
Woman / wife Behanem.
Today. Bamegizegak.
Tommorow. Saba.
Thanks. Oliwni.
Sun. Gizos.
Let's go. Alsoda.
Let's work. Aloka.
Look! Kina!
Listen! Kita!
I am (name). (Name) nia.
Kiss me! Wajemi!
Snow. Wazoli.
Snow on the ground. Wazolis kik.
Earth / soil. Ki.
Air. Awan.
Let's eat. Micida.
Let's drink. Gadosmida.
ABENAKI LANGUAGE LESSONS
Lesson 2 - Meetings & Relations
Meetings -
Bodawazin - holding a council.
Bodawazenw8gan - a council.
Wanask8wadin or Mahadin - group meeting.
Wodam8gan - Pipe Ceremony
All Our Relations - Relations - Al8gom8mek
The Abenaki language has a complex set of words
that refer to family relationships.
The following is a short list of some of
the more often used words:
My father (formal) N'mit8gwes
My father (personal) N'dadan
Your father K'mit8gwes
His/her father Wmit8gwa
His/her father Wdadana
My mother (formal) Nigawes
My mother (personal) N'nonon
Your mother Kigawes
His/her mother Wigewessa
My grandfather N'mahom
My grandmother Nokemes
His/her grandmother Okemessa
Their grandmother Okemesw8n
My spouse Nizwia
My spouse's father N'zikh8s
My spouse's mother N'zekwes
Our daughter's spouse Wazilmegoa
Our son's spouse N'sem
God father/mother (traditional) Kalnegoa
Our little boy W'skinnossis
Our little girl N'8kswassis
Grandson Nosses
My older brother Nidokan
My younger brother / sister Nichemis
My older sister N'messis
My father's sister Nokem
My mother's sister Nokemisis
My father's brother N'n8jikw
My mother's brother N'zasis
My female cousin Nad8gweskwa
My male cousin Nad8gwsis
Baby Chijiz (Tsi'dzis)
Young child Aw8ssis
Widower Sigwid
Widow Sigweskwa
Father and son Kchai ta wski
Mother and daughter Kchi phanem ta wdoza
Lesson 3 - Basics: Alphabet, vowels, grammar rules
The Abenaki Alphabet -
Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Gg Hh Ii Jj Kk Ll
Mm Nn Oo 8 Pp Ss Tt Uu Ww Zz
Vowels are sounded as follows -
A as in master.
E as in label.
I as in Indian; but more often "I" is
sounded as "E" in emotion.
O as in notice.
U as if it were "e yo" when followed or preceded
by a consonant;
when alone it is as "U" in union.
8 is the nasal "o(n)" sound; for example, 8h88
(yes) is pronounced o(n)-ho(n).
The consonants are sounded as follows -
B & P are sounded as a hard "P"; when written
they are often interchanged.
C is always followed by the letter "H" and
is sounded as "TS";
for example, chaga (if) is pronounced tsa-ga.
D & T are sounded as a hard "T"; when written
they are often interchanged.
G is always hard as in game.
H is sounded like "H" in help;
when not preceded by "C".
J is sounded like the letters "DZ";
for example, chijis (baby) is pronounced tsid-zes.
K as in kitten.
L as in label.
M as in mom.
N as in name.
S as in sound.
W is pronounced (oo)w; for example wliwni
(thank you) is pronounced oowle-oowne.
Z as in zebra.
Basic Language Rules -
A or Ï AIEE.
CH TS.
J DZ.
G hard "G".
W (OO)W.
8 or Ô O(N) - nasal "O".
PH not "F" sound.
D soft "T".
I at end of word "E" as in pedal.
I in middle of a word "EE" as in seen.
Basic Grammar Rules -
> Plural animate words end in "K".
> Plural inanimate words end in "AL"; except
words ending in "KW" or "GL" have "O"
for plural.
> Words ending with "AD" or "ID" denote trade or
occupation; "JIK" in plural.
> "R", "F", "V", "X", and "Y" have no pronunciation
in the language.
> "EIAW" at the end of a word means "four".
Here are some words to test some of these
pronunciation rules:
Mean, angry chilao tsi-lao'
Bad majigo ma-dzi-go'
Good wligen (oo)w-li-gen
Man san8ba sa-no(n)-ba
Woman phanem p-ha-nem
Tree abazi ah-bah-ze
Drum pakholigan pak-ho-li-gan
Drummer noli pakholid no-le' pak-ho-it
Leaf wanibagw (oo)wah-ni-bahgw'
Leaves wanibagwol (oo)wah-ni-bahg'-wohl
I/me nia ni-ah'
You kia ki-ah
He/she agma ahg-mah'
Us/we niona ni-oh'-nah
You (formal) kiona ki-oh'nah
They agm8w8 ag-mo(n)-wo(n)
ABENAKI LANGUAGE LESSONS
Lesson 4 - Phrases Part 1
Kwai, t8ni kd8l8wzi? Hello, how are you?
N'w8wl8zi, ni kia? I'm fine, and you?
Ala n'sawi tanii. I'm doing so-so.
Nda, nolidbamalsiw No, I feel sick.
N'dakwamadamen n'dep. I have a headache.
K'kadgomin8gwzi. You look sleepy.
K'namiolji saba. I'll see you tomorrow.
Chowi! Sure!
Niga, n8ji pmossada, wligen ji wli kia.
Then, let's take a walk, it will be good for you.
N'bamaldamen n'lessinen, n'saossani, nngadi 8dabi.
I prefer (that) I go to bed, I'm tired, I want to rest.
Nwigi ba askidagizi kiow8w8 waji agakimsiak kwani mojia.
I would like to count on you to study while I'm gone.
Nda ni nattamiwi k'dilhelnob.
This is not the first time I've told you that.
N'gadiwawaldam aln8ba8dwawogan.
I want to learn Abenaki language.
Kwai, toni kd 8l8wzi? Hello, how are you?
N'madamalsi. I don't feel well.
N'dakwamadamen n'dep. I have a headache.
N'kadopi. I'm hungry.
Niga kadopi. Then eat.
N' kadosmi. I'm drinking.
Ngadgom nsaosani. I'm sleepy.
Losada. Let's go.
Wigi pao. She is playing.
Nwigi pmeg8. I like to dance.
Abi spiwi nai. Come sit with me.
Ska taka. You stand over there.
Sogl8giskad. It looks like rain.
Chwi sogl8 pamgiskak. It's supposed to rain today.
Pi8n n'wigomnok. Come to my house.
Koz8mi nopaiwi aii. You live too far.
Ndaii passojiwi. I live nearby.
Nibeniwi. I live to the south.
Peboniwi. I live to the north.
Nakil8t kizoswiwi. I live to the west.
S8khilh8t kizoswiwi. I live to the east.
N'mit8gwes. My father. (formal)
N'dadan. My father. (personal)
Nigawes. My mother. (formal)
N'nonon. My mother. (personal)
Azomi kezossa. You walk too fast.
Kzomi mannossa. You walk too slow.
N'gadi m8ji n'wig8mnok. I want to go home.
Chiga pai8? When did you arrive?
Mini ida. Say it again.
Mena ni ida. Say that again.
Kagwi k'didam? What did you say?
Kagwi kadi idam? What do you want me to say?
Kadgwi achiwaldaman? What do you want?
Nwigi nadiali. I like to hunt.
Nwigi namasika. I like to fish.
Nwigi pamkani. I like to travel.
Nwigi 8daka. I like to visit.
N'pedgi. I'll return.
Paakuin8gwzian. It's nice to see you.
K'kassigadma? How old are you?
T8wdanna kl8gan. Open the door.
Kbaa kl8gan. Close the door.
T8wdanna taoz8gan. Open the window.
Kbaa taoz8gan. Close the window.
Pakholigan. Drum.
Noli pakholid. Drummer.
Noli pakholigit. I drum good.
To sit Abimek
I or you sit Nd'abi
He or she sits Abo
To want Achwaldamek
I or you want Nd'achwaldam
He or she wants Achwalda
To read Agizimek
I or you read Nd'agizi
He or she reads Agizo
To return Pedigamek
I or you return N'pedgi
He or she returns Pedgo
To enter Pidigamek
I or you enter N'pidiga
He or she enters Pidiga
To walk Pmossamek
I or you walk N'pmossa
He or she walks Pmossa
To go out Saossamek
I or you go out N'saossa
He or she goes out Saossa
To work Alokamek
I or you work Nd'aloka
He or she works Aloka
To use Awakamek
I or you use Nd'awaka
He or she uses Awaka
To refuse Aza8mek
I or you refuse Nd'aza8
He or she refuses Azaa
To fear Sagzimek
I or you fear N'sagzi
He or she fears Sagzo
To be drowsy Nolmekwizimek
I or you are drowsy N'nolmekwizi
He or she is drowsy Nolmekwzo
To be sleepy Kadgomek
I or you are sleepy N'kadgom
He or she is sleepy Kadgo
To sleep Kawimek
I or you sleep N'kawi
He or she sleeps Kao
To dream Legwassimek
I or you dream N'legwassi
He or she dreams Legwasso
To be thirsty Kadawesmimek
I or you are thirsty N'kadawesmi
He or she is thirsty Kadawesmo
To drink Kadoasmimek
I or you drink N'kadosmi
He or she drinks Kadosmo
To be hungry Kadopimek
I or you are hungry N'kadopi
He or she is hungry Kadopo
To listen / obey Kiktamek
I or you listen N'kikta
He or she listens Kikta
To speak Klozimek
I or you speak N'klozi
He or she speaks Klozo
To yell K8g8lwamek
I or you yell N'k8g8lwa
He or she yells K8g8lwa
To sing Lintomek
I or you sing N'linto
He or she sings Linto
To be Aimek
To Have Waj8nomek
I am well N'olidbamalsi
To be well Wlidbamalsimek
I am sick N'madamalsi
To be sick Madamalsimek
I am hungry N'kadopi
To be hungry Kadopimek
I am thirsty N'kadosmi
To drink Kadosmimek
I am cold N'kwaskwaji
To be cold Kwaskwajimek
I am hot N'kezabzi
To be hot Kezabzimek
To bring (animate) Pazw8mek
To bring (inanimate) Padozik
To take care of something (animate). Nanawalm8mek.
To take care of something (inanimate). Nanawaldomzik.
To like or reside. Wigimek.
Would you like to meet that girl?
Kwigi ba wanaskaw8 na n8kskwa?
I met her last summer. Kizi n'wanaskaw8b.
I had met her quite a while ago. N8wat na n'anakaw8b.
Wait for me! Askawii!
Listen to me. Tbestawikw.
Sometimes you do not listen to me. Sawi nda k'bestawiba.
Ask them if they would like to come in.
Nadodmawa chaga w'kadi pai8n spiwi niona.
Let's go and visit there. N'n8dodaida taka.
Follow me. N'nossokawikw.
Let's take a puff on the pipe. Wikwalap8da wdam8gan.
Let's light it first. Pla chegasa.
Lesson 9 - Short Conversations
Where did you go? T8ni odosaan?
I went to the woods. N8dossa kpiwi.
Very nice day, T8ji wlegisgad,
let's go in the woods. lossada kpiwi.
What's happening? Kagwi lla?
Nothing much. Nda kagwi n8damiwi.
What are they doing? Kakwas llalokak?
You should not do that. Nda k'dachwi ni llalokawen.
You should not complain. Akwi ga madw8zi.
What time is it now? Kass8mkipoda ato nikw8bi?
It is early. Sp8swiwi.
It is quite late. Kwinatta sipkiwi.
Let's go there. Lossada taka.
I have been there. Kizi n'odossab.
I was there. N'odossan.
I am going home. N'dlossa 'wigw8mnok.
I did not go too far. Pasojiwi n'dlossab.
Would you like to come with me? Kwigi ba paï8 spiwi nia?
Do you know that man? K'wawinaw8 na san8ba?
Yes, I knew him. 8h8, nwawinaw8bo.
I would like to buy them. N'gadi manomenal.
How much do they cost? T8ni ll8wadowal?
Conversations -
Hello! Hello! I am glad to see you, how do you do?
Kuai! Kuai! Paakuin8gwzian, t8ni k'doll8wzin?
I am very well, and you? N'w8wl8wzi, kia nawa t8ni?
I am very well, thank you. N'w8wl8wzi nia achi, wliwni ni.
Well, that's very good. Kam8ji, pita ni wligen.
Now let us part. Good-bye. Chaga chajabihl8da. Adio.
Good-bye, take care of yourself. Adio, wli nanawalmezi.
The "8" symbol is used for the "nasal O" sound
that is shown as "Ô" in French.
Ant Alikws
Bat Madagenilhas
Bear Awasos
Beaver Tmakwa
Bee Wawil8mwa
Bird Sips
Blue Jay Tidesso
Bobcat - Lynx (no tail) Bezo, wigwedi
Buffalo Pziko
Bullfrog Agebalam
Butterfly Mamij8la
Cat Minowis, pezois
Caribou Mag8libo
Chickadee Kejegigilhasis
Chicken Ahamo
Chipmunk Anikwses
Cock N8balha
Cougar (much tail) Bitt8lo
Cow Kaoz
Cricket Ch8ls
Crow Mkazas
Deer Nolka
Dog Alemos, adia
Duck (Black) Kwiguigum
Eagle Mgeso, Megeso
Elk W8boz
Fish Namas
Fisher Wlanigw
Fly Wjawas
Fox W8kwses
Frog Chegual
Goat Kots
Goose W8btegua
Gull Kaakw
Hawk (bird of prey) Si8mo
Heron Kasko
Horse Ases, Ahaso
Humming Bird Nanatasis, Nanataso
King-Fisher Cheskwadadas
Lamb Azibis
Loon Mdawilha
Marten (sable) Apanakes
Mink Mosbas
Mole Alem8nska
Moose Moz
Mosquito Pegues
Mouse W8bikwsos
Muskrat Moskuas
Nightingale Wl8gowilhas
Nuthatch Cig8l8dawasid
Otter Wnegigw
Owl Kokokhas
Partridge Pakesso, Bakeso
Peacock P8l8bai-sibes
Pig Biges
Pigeon W8bipelaz
Pigeon (wild) Pelaz
Plover Sasaso
Porcupine K8gw
Rabbit Mateguas
Racoon Asban
Raven (northern crow) Ponki-mkazas
Robin Kwikueskas
Salmon Mskuamagw
Seal Akigw
Sheep Azib
Skunk Seg8gw
Snake Skog
Snake (garter-red racer) Makwaaskadam8d
Squirrel Mikowa
Spider Mamselabika
Sturgeon Kabas
Swallow Soglonilhasis
Swan Wigualha
Turkey Nahama
Turtle Tolba
Weasel Saguasis
Whip-poor-will Papoles
Wolf M8lsem
Wolverine Alaskana
Woodchuck Agaskw
Woodpecker O'basas
Worm Skoks
The list is only a partial one, several of these creatures
have other spellings for specific identification
descriptions,such as male, female, young, adult, large,
small, sub-type, or color.
In some cases the letters may be interchanged
as has been seen with examples for names starting with "P"
and "B" or "D" and "T" or "W" and "O." It should also be
noted that most of our Abenaki words are descriptive
of the animal.
For example Beaver: Demakwa - "the tree cutter" or
Abag8lo - "flat tail" or Awadnakwazid - "the wood carrier
Simple Responses -
No Nda N-da
Yes 8h8 O(n)-ho(n)'
Maybe Kizilla Ki'-zi-l-la'
Or Ala A-la'
Simple Action Words -
Jump Ligdahimek Lig-da'hi-mek'
Crawl Pmigwzimek P-mig'-w-zi-mek'
Sit Abimek A'-bi-mek'
Visit 8dakawa8mek O(n)-da'-ka-wa'o(n)-mek
Leave Ngad8zik N'-ga'-do(n)-zik
(I) Give Mila8mek Mi-la'-o(n)-mek
Find Maskawomek Ma-ska'-wo-mek'
Make Wlitomek W-li-to-mek'
Talk 8dokazi O(n)-do'ka-ze'
The following is a short list of words that refer to the body.
A much more detailed list is available on request.
Note the (oo)w "W" sound.
Parts of the Body -
Head Wdep (oo)w-dep'
Hairs Piassoal pi-a'-so-al'
Face Wsizokw (oo)w-si-zokw'
Eyes Wsizgowal (oo)w-siz-go-wal'
Mouth Wdon (oo)w-don
Nose Wj8l (oo)wdzo(n)l
Heart Wlaw8gan (oo)w-la'wo(n)gan
Back Wbeskwan (oo)w-bes-kwan'
Leg Wk8d (oo)w-ko(n)t
Hand Welji (oo)wel-dze
Foot Wzid (oo)w-zit
Ear Wdawagw (oo)w-da-wagw'
Finger Witkwalji (oo)wh'-kwal-dze'
Toe Witkwazit (oo)wit'-kwa-zit'
Father and Son Kchai ta wski aln8ba
(K)tse ta w-ske al-no(n)ba
Mother and Daughter Kchai phanem ta wdoza
(K)tse p(h)a'-nem ta w-do'za
I am hungry N'gadopi Ni-ga'-do-pe'
Iam thristy N'kadaosmi N-ka-da'-os'-me'
Have a nice day Oji wlegisgao O-dze' w-le'-gis-gad(t)'
Fall Gathering -
The following words are a special lesson for the
Fall Gathering:
The Harvest Kawakwnigawgan
Autumn - Fall Tagugo
The Great Spirit Kchi Niwaskw
God Tabaldak
Sunrise Skhipozit kisos
Sunset Nakilhlt kisos
Moon Pgwas, nahnibssat
Moon light Pguasek
The Star Alakws
East Wajinahilt
South Swanaki
West Alinkihlt
North Pebonki
Grandmother Nokmes
Grandfather Mahom
Air Awan
Sky Asokw
Cloud Mnasokw
Blue sky/Starry heaven Kakasakw
Water Nebi
Earth Ki
Stone Sen
Fire Skweda
Spark Ohekelas
Smoke Pekeda
Snow Wazoli
All My Relations N'dalgommek
Pipe Wdamgan
Tobacco Wdam
Sweat Lodge Kzabzowigom
In the beginning Waji mjassaik
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