Coastal Algonquian Language Sampler

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Coastal Algonquian Vocabulary Sampler

The following is a sampling of the Coastal Algonquian language that was translated by Dr. Blair A. Rudes at the request of Coastal Carolina Indian Center over a year ago. We're thankful to Dr. Rudes for his assistance with this project and are hopeful to learn much more from him as we are able and he has time.

Nitáp (pronounced [knee-TAUP]) or
Cumay (pronounced [CHUM-my]) (both expressions mean 'my friend' and would be used with a stranger or someone who was not from one's tribe.)

Winkapew (pronounced [wing-KAH-poe] means 'good person' and would be used with someone who was from one's tribe, but was not one's relative. With members of one's family, one would use the appropriate kinship term as a greeting, i.e. 'my father' (nohsh), 'my mother' (nek), 'my sister', 'my uncle', etc. There are many such terms, all of which are just one word long. (I can send you others if you need them.)

How are you?
Sá kir winkan ? (pronounced [saw-keyd-WINK-on] - it means "Are you well?")

I'm well/I'm not well.
Kupi (pronounced [kuh-PEA] - means 'yes', or Mahta (pronounced [MAH-ta] - means 'no')

My name is _____
Nuturuwins _____ (pronounced [nuh-tuh-DUH-wince] - it means "I am called ___"; one could say "Nuturuwins Powihetan" 'I am called Powhatan')

I am from _____
_(NAME OF PLACE)_ nunowám ? (pronounced [nuh-NO-wawm]; for example, one could say "Sukwoten nunowám." 'I come from Secotan.')

The People (Indian People)
Runapewak (pronounced [duh-nah-PAY-wahk] - it means "the true, real, or genuine people")

Ocean
Yapám (pronounced [yah-PAUM])

River
Pumitukew (pronounced [PUHM-tuh-koh] - this is the source of the place nam Pamlico)

Food
Micon (pronounced [MEE-chone]

Water
Nupuy (pronounced [nuh-PEA])

Corn
Pehkutawar (pronounced [peck-uh-TA-wahs])

Corn bread
Apon (pronounced [ah-PONE]) (This is where the -pone in English "Cornpone" comes from)

Cornmeal
Rohkahamin (pronounced [row-kah-HAH-mun])

Hominy
Apohominar (pronounced [ah-poe-HOE-muh-nahs])

Squash/gourds
Mahkahq (pronounced [MAH-kahk}

Acorns
Anáskimin (pronounced [ah-NAWS-kuh-mun]

Nut
Pakán (pronounced [pah-KAWN] - source of English "pecan")

Fish
Namehs (pronounced [NAH-mace]}

Deer
Wutapantam (pronounced [wuh-tah-PAHN-tahm]

Squirrel
Mushaniq (pronounced [MUSH-ah-neek])

Opossum
Wápahshum (pronounced [AW-puh-shum] - source of English "opossum")

Shoes
Mahkusun (pronounced [mah-KUH-sun] - source of English "moccassin")

White people/People from Europe
Wutahshuntar (pronounced [wuh-TAH-shun-tahs] - it actually meant "foreigners, strangers")

Kinship Terms

nek [neck] 'my mother'
nohsh [noesh] 'my father' ([oe] as in 'doe')
nunutánuhs [nuh-nuh-TAW-nuhs] 'my daughter'
nuqisus [nuh-KWEE-suhs] 'my son'
numohshomus [nuh-moh-SHOW-muhs] 'my grandfather'
nunohum [nuh-NO-hum] 'my grandmother'
nuhsimuhs [nuh-SEA-muhs] 'my younger sister'
numat [nuh-MAHT] 'my younger brother'
numis [nuh-MEECE] 'my older sister'
nihsháns [nee-SHAUNCE] 'my older brother'
numirihtáq [nuh-mee-DEE-tawk] 'my paternal aunt (father's sister)'
nukukush [nuh-KUH-kush] 'my maternal aunt (mother's sister)'
nuhshis [nuh-SHEECE] 'my maternal uncle (mother's brother)'
nohshawas [NOH-shah-wahs] 'my paternal uncle (father's brother)'
nutánqus [nuh-TAWN-kwuss] 'my male cousin'
nutánqusosqew [nuh-tawn-kwuh-SOSE-kwoe] 'my female cousin'

Phrases

Shhh/Be quiet
Ehqutonahas! [eh-kwuh-TONE-ah-hahs] 'Stop talking!'

Sit down/Be still
Apis! [AH-peace] 'Sit down!'

Stand up
Nipatas! [NEE-pah-tahs] 'Stand up!'

Listen to me
Kurustuwes nir! [kuh-duhs-TUH-wes nid] 'Listen to me!'

Come over here
Pyas! [PYAHS] 'Come here!'

Sing me a song
Nahkohes nir! [nah-KOE-hes nid] 'Sing to me!'

Pick those things up
Nátunis yos! [NAW-tuh-nees yows] 'Pick those things up!'

It's time to eat
Mehci micis! [MEH-chee MEE-cheece] 'Now eat!'

It's time to go to sleep
Mehci kawis! [MEH-chee KAH-weece] 'Now go to sleep!'

Goodnight
(There is no translation - the Algonquoian peoples do not say 'good morning,
goodday, goodnight, etc. In the present case, one would just say 'sleep well')

I love you
Kuwumáras. [kuh-wuh-MAW-dahs] 'I love you.'

Sleep well
Winkan nupes! [WING-kahn nuh-PACE] 'Sleep well!'

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