Some folks who attempt to learn to speak another language, but in this case, Potawatomi, often take any type of shortcut they can imagine. This is usually in the form of printed materials, such as a dictionary or lexical works, but one cannot learn to speak a language that way. The best way to learn any language is to Immerse oneself in it. Surround yourself with speakers of that language so you hear that language all the time, every day. In that way, you will learn all the subtleties, intonations, inflections and other characteristics of the language and pick up those subtle sounds of fluency. You cannot accomplish that from any book, no matter how well it is written. Books are guides, not teachers, and they cannot give one the subtle sounds of fluency I have mentioned. This is why I keep hammering at basics. You cannot learn this language of Potawatomi without knowing the basics of it.
Month: June 2021
If you’re going to play country music in Texas, ya gotta have a fiddle in the band….and if ya gonna speak Potawatomi, ya gotta know your basics.
Greetings!
Bo zho jak/ja ye’k.
Hello all/everyone
Bo zho, we’gni je e’she ne kazyen?
Hello, what is your name?
Don, ndesh ne kas.
My name is Don.
Mine she gin, wegni je e’she ne kazyen?
How about you, what is your name?
Hau, Dave ndesh ne kas.
Oh, my name is Dave.
Ni pi je e’je byayen?/ni pi je we’ch bya yen?
Where do you come from?
Hannahville ndoch bya.
I am from Hannahville.
Mine she gin, ni pi je we’ch bya yen?
How about you, where do you come from?
Hau, Toronto ndoch bya.
Oh, I come from Toronto.
Ni pi je e’she nakiyen?/Ni pi je e’je mik je wi yen?
Where do you work?
Shemewgemgok e’mikjewiyan/Shemewgemgok ndonjinaki.
I work at the restaurant.
Nake she gin, ni pi je e’mikjewiyen/enjenakiyen?
How about you, where do you work?
Dawewgemgok ndonjinaki/e’mikjewiyan.
I work at the store.
Ni pi je e’she bya ye’k?
Where do you (pl.) come from?
Hannahville, ndoch byamen.
We come from Hannahville.
Mine she ginwa, ni pi je e’je bya ye’k?
How about you, (pl.) where do you come from?
Mine she ginwa, ni pi je we’ch bya ye’k?
How about you, (pl.) where do you come from?
Ni pi je enjenakiye’k/ni pi je e’mikjewiye’k?
Where do you (pl.) work?
Kche odanek e’mikjewiyak/kche odanek enjenakiyak.
We work at the big town.
Ni je eshe ne kazod o?
What is that person’s name?
Dave e’shen kazo.
His name is Dave.
Ni pi je e’mikje’wit/ni pi je e’njenakit?
Where does he work?
Dawe’wgemek e’mikjewit/dawe’wgemek e’njenakit.
He works at the store.
Ni pi je we’je byat?
Where does he come from?
Kansas we’je byat.
He/she comes from Kansas.
Kansas we’je bye wat.
They come from Kansas.
Ni je e’she ne kaz yen?
What is your name?
Don desh ne kaz.
My name is Don.
Nin se zhe nDon.
I am Don.
Ni je e’she na kazot o gye’yom/gne’ne’yem?
What is your mother’s name?
Marian e’she na kazot o ngye/Marian shen kazo.
My mother’s name is Marian.
Ni je e’she ne kazot o gnos/gdedeyem?
What is your father’s name?
Don, Sr. e’she na kazot o nnos/Don, Sr. shen kazo.
My father’s name is Don, Sr.
Ni pi je e’zhya yen?
Where are you going?
Odanek ni pa zhya/odanek nde zhya.
I am going to town.
Ni pi je e’zhya yak?
Where are we going?
Zhoshkwe’wgemgok gde zhya men.
We are going to the skating arena.
Ni pi je e’wi zhyat ode?/bemadzet?
Where is this person going?
Neme’wgemgok e’wi zhyat.
This person is going to church.
Ni pi je e’zhya wat gi./bemadzejek?
Where are these people going?
Neme’wgemgok e’wi zhya wat.
They are going to church.
Odanek e’wi zhya wat.
They are going to town.
Ndezhya
I am going.
Nde zhya men
We are going (excl.)
Gde zhya men
We are going (incl.)
Zhya
He/she is going.
Zhyé wag
They are going.
Ngi zhya
I went
Ngi zhya men
We went (excl.)
Gi zhya men
We went (incl.)
Ni pi je e’zhya yen
Where are you going?
Ni pi je e’zhya yen wabek
Where are you going tomorrow?
Ni pi je e’zhya yen wabek pkonyak
Where are you going tomorrow night?
Kigdogemgok nde zhya
I am going to the community hall.
Kigdogemgok nde zhya wabek
I am going to the community hall tomorrow.
Kigdogemgok nde zhya wabek pkonyak
I am going to the community hall tomorrow night.
Ni pi je ga zhya yen
Where did you go?
Ni pi je ga zhya yak
Where did we go (incl.)?
Ni pi je ga zhya yek
Where did you (pl.) go?
Ni pi je ga zhyat
Where did he/she go?
Ni pi je ga zhyé wat
Where did they go?
Ni pi je wech bya yen
Where did you come from?
Ni pi je wech bya yen w nago
Where did you come from yesterday?
Ni pi je ga je bya yek
Where did you (pl.) come from?
Ni pi je ga je bye yak
Where did we come from (incl.)?
Ni pi je ga je byat
Where did he/she come from?
Ni pi je ga je bye wat
Where did they come from?
Ni pi je ga bya yen ode waben
Where did you come from this morning?
Odanek ngi bya yan ode waben
I came from town this morning.
Ni pi je ga je bya yek ode waben
Where did you (pl.) come from this morning?
Nemewgemgok ngi bya men ode waben
We came from church this morning (excl.).
Ni pi je ga bye yak ode waben
Where did we come from this morning (incl.)?
Mshkekiwgemgok gi bya men ode waben
We came from the hospital this morning (incl.)
Ni pi je ga je byat ode bemadzet
Where did this person come from?
Megwe pi ga je byat ago
He/she came from far away.
Ni pi je ga je bye wat
Where did they come from?
Zibik gi bye wak/zibe gi bye wak
They came from the river.
Ni jo pi ne gwi zhya yen
When are you going?
Ni jo pi ne gwi zhya yen odanek
When are you going to the town?
Wabek nde zhya odanek
I am going to the town tomorrow.
Ni jo pi ne gwi zhya she mshkekiwgemgok
When are you going to the hospital?
Gizhnawkwek nde zhya she mshkekiwgemgok
I am going to the hospital in the afternoon.
Ni jo pi ne gwi zhya men she skonogemgok
When are we going to the school (incl.)?
Gi byedon ne i mshkeke
Did you bring any of that medicine?
Cho wi she nde sasi shote
No, I don’t have any of that with me here.
Weswabek gde zhya men ibe skonogemgok
We are going to the school day after tomorrow.(incl.)
Stuff ya all need to learn
Greetings!
Bo zho jak/ja ye’k.
Hello all/everyone
Bo zho, we’gni je e’she ne kazyen?
Hello, what is your name?
Don, ndesh ne kas.
My name is Don.
Mine she gin, wegni je e’she ne kazyen?
How about you, what is your name?
Hau, Dave ndesh ne kas.
Oh, my name is Dave.
Ni pi je e’je byayen?/ni pi je we’ch bya yen?
Where do you come from?
Hannahville ndoch bya.
I am from Hannahville.
Mine she gin, ni pi je we’ch bya yen?
How about you, where do you come from?
Hau, Toronto ndoch bya.
Oh, I come from Toronto.
Ni pi je e’she nakiyen?/Ni pi je e’je mik je wi yen?
Where do you work?
Shemewgemgok e’mikjewiyan/Shemewgemgok ndonjinaki.
I work at the restaurant.
Nake she gin, ni pi je e’mikjewiyen/enjenakiyen?
How about you, where do you work?
Dawewgemgok ndonjinaki/e’mikjewiyan.
I work at the store.
Ni pi je e’she bya ye’k?
Where do you (pl.) come from?
Hannahville, ndoch byamen.
We come from Hannahville.
Mine she ginwa, ni pi je e’je bya ye’k?
How about you, (pl.) where do you come from?
Mine she ginwa, ni pi je we’ch bya ye’k?
How about you, (pl.) where do you come from?
Ni pi je enjenakiye’k/ni pi je e’mikjewiye’k?
Where do you (pl.) work?
Kche odanek e’mikjewiyak/kche odanek enjenakiyak.
We work at the big town.
Ni je eshe ne kazod o?
What is that person’s name?
Dave e’shen kazo.
His name is Dave.
Ni pi je e’mikje’wit/ni pi je e’njenakit?
Where does he work?
Dawe’wgemek e’mikjewit/dawe’wgemek e’njenakit.
He works at the store.
Ni pi je we’je byat?
Where does he come from?
Kansas we’je byat.
He/she comes from Kansas.
Kansas we’je bye wat.
They come from Kansas.
Ni je e’she ne kaz yen?
What is your name?
Don desh ne kaz.
My name is Don.
Nin se zhe nDon.
I am Don.
Ni je e’she na kazot o gye’yom/gne’ne’yem?
What is your mother’s name?
Marian e’she na kazot o ngye/Marian shen kazo.
My mother’s name is Marian.
Ni je e’she ne kazot o gnos/gdedeyem?
What is your father’s name?
Don, Sr. e’she na kazot o nnos/Don, Sr. shen kazo.
My father’s name is Don, Sr.
Ni pi je e’zhya yen?
Where are you going?
Odanek ni pa zhya/odanek nde zhya.
I am going to town.
Ni pi je e’zhya yak?
Where are we going?
Zhoshkwe’wgemgok gde zhya men.
We are going to the skating arena.
Ni pi je e’wi zhyat ode?/bemadzet?
Where is this person going?
Neme’wgemgok e’wi zhyat.
This person is going to church.
Ni pi je e’zhya wat gi./bemadzejek?
Where are these people going?
Neme’wgemgok e’wi zhya wat.
They are going to church.
Odanek e’wi zhya wat.
They are going to town.
Ndezhya
I am going.
Nde zhya men
We are going (excl.)
Gde zhya men
We are going (incl.)
Zhya
He/she is going.
Zhyé wag
They are going.
Ngi zhya
I went
Ngi zhya men
We went (excl.)
Gi zhya men
We went (incl.)
Ni pi je e’zhya yen
Where are you going?
Ni pi je e’zhya yen wabek
Where are you going tomorrow?
Ni pi je e’zhya yen wabek pkonyak
Where are you going tomorrow night?
Kigdogemgok nde zhya
I am going to the community hall.
Kigdogemgok nde zhya wabek
I am going to the community hall tomorrow.
Kigdogemgok nde zhya wabek pkonyak
I am going to the community hall tomorrow night.
Ni pi je ga zhya yen
Where did you go?
Ni pi je ga zhya yak
Where did we go (incl.)?
Ni pi je ga zhya yek
Where did you (pl.) go?
Ni pi je ga zhyat
Where did he/she go?
Ni pi je ga zhyé wat
Where did they go?
Ni pi je wech bya yen
Where did you come from?
Ni pi je wech bya yen w nago
Where did you come from yesterday?
Ni pi je ga je bya yek
Where did you (pl.) come from?
Ni pi je ga je bye yak
Where did we come from (incl.)?
Ni pi je ga je byat
Where did he/she come from?
Ni pi je ga je bye wat
Where did they come from?
Ni pi je ga bya yen ode waben
Where did you come from this morning?
Odanek ngi bya yan ode waben
I came from town this morning.
Ni pi je ga je bya yek ode waben
Where did you (pl.) come from this morning?
Nemewgemgok ngi bya men ode waben
We came from church this morning (excl.).
Ni pi je ga bye yak ode waben
Where did we come from this morning (incl.)?
Mshkekiwgemgok gi bya men ode waben
We came from the hospital this morning (incl.)
Ni pi je ga je byat ode bemadzet
Where did this person come from?
Megwe pi ga je byat ago
He/she came from far away.
Ni pi je ga je bye wat
Where did they come from?
Zibik gi bye wak/zibe gi bye wak
They came from the river.
Ni jo pi ne gwi zhya yen
When are you going?
Ni jo pi ne gwi zhya yen odanek
When are you going to the town?
Wabek nde zhya odanek
I am going to the town tomorrow.
Ni jo pi ne gwi zhya she mshkekiwgemgok
When are you going to the hospital?
Gizhnawkwek nde zhya she mshkekiwgemgok
I am going to the hospital in the afternoon.
Ni jo pi ne gwi zhya men she skonogemgok
When are we going to the school (incl.)?
Gi byedon ne i mshkeke
Did you bring any of that medicine?
Cho wi she nde sasi shote
No, I don’t have any of that with me here.
Weswabek gde zhya men ibe skonogemgok
We are going to the school day after tomorrow.(incl.)
What’s happening outdoors
Zagech ezhewébek- Weather
Gmowen- its raining.
Waseyamget- its bright/ sunny.
Boni- its snowing.
Gche binimget – it’s really snowing hard.
Pespeyasom get – drizzling.
Wenbismget – raining lightly.
Gwankwet- its cloudy.
Ni je ngom ézh gishgek zagech? How is the weather today?
Gshate- hot.
Ksenya- cold.
Noden- windy.
Gshate ne? Is it hot?
Ksenya ne? Is it cold.
Tkeya ne? Is it cool?
Gmeya ne? Is it rainy?
Gmyeyamget – raining.
Gmyeyambet – it’s rainy.
Yabwam ne? Is it warm?
mno gishget – it’s a nice day
mno gishget ngom zagech – it’s a nice day outside
yabwamget zagech ngom – it’s warm outdoors today
wimno gishget ngom – it’s going to be nice today
gimno gishget – it was a nice day
kwan se ge mno gishget it’s really a nice day
mzhe kwet ngom it’s a clear sky today
kwan se ge mzhe kwet it’s really a clear sky
gsha tem get ngom it’s hot today
kwan se ge gshate it’s really hot
kwan se ge gsha temget ngom it’s really hot today
wiska kte mget it’s unbearabley hot
gwi pich gsha tem get ngom it’s going to be a really hot day
tke yam get it’s cool
tke yam get she anwe bgeji it’s cooling off a little
bidan kwet clouds are coming
ngwan kwet zagech ngom it’s cloudy outdoors today
ngwan kwet it’s cloudy
we ban met the wind is beginning to blow
nshiw we nmet ngom zagech it’s windy outdoors today
noden ngom it’s windy today
nsho na da nmet the wind is blowing in all directions
bkwe nem get zagech ngom it’s hazy outdoors today
gaga she gwi nshiw enmet zagech the wind is going to blow hard soon
kche noden really strong wind
nshiw wenmet it’s very windy
waw yasto wa je byat tornado is coming
wawyasto tornado
niska det ngom it’s stormy today
gmeyamget it’s raining
gmeyamget ngom zagech it’s raining outdoors today
gmo nos wen ngom it’s drizzling today
wenbisamget raining lightly
bonanmet wind is settling down/it is stopping
ksenyam get ngom it’s cold today
kwan se ge ksen yam get ngom zagech it’s really cold outdoors today
bonim get ngom it’s snowing today
gwi bonim get ngom it’s going to snow today
zho shkwam get ngom zagech it’s slippery outdoors today
gwi kche bonimke wabek/pkonyak it’s really going to snow tomorrow/tonight
nge dem get ngom it’s melting today
gi jak gezo o gon the snow is melting
gi jak gezo o mkwem the ice is melting
Immersion phrases
Weye ne gi wabdan ne i gbiskewagen? Has anyone seen my coat?
Weye ne gi wabma o ngwes? Has anyone seen my son?
Ni je pi éwi bidgéyak? When are we going in?
Ni je pi éwi wisniyak? When do we eat?
Nedwendan ne anet gapi? You want some coffee?
Nedwendan ne anet mkekwabo? You want some coffee?
Nedwendan ne i pwagasen? You want a cigarette?
Nedwendan ne éwdeméyen? You want to smoke?
Ni je épandewebneyen? What are you looking for?
Énedwendayan anet gapi. I want some coffee
Énedwendayan anet wisnewen. I want some food
Mishen i ziwtagen Give me the salt
Gégo ziwtagnegékén i wisnewen Don’t salt the food
Zheton I kewewen Make a flag
Zheton I wizaw kewewen Make a yellow flag
Zheton nyéwo kewewnen Make four flags
Gdesa ne anet sémau? Do you have any tobacco?
Cho nensémau ndesasi I don’t have any tobacco
Éhe, nde sa nensémau Yes, I have tobacco
Kyénep byan shote! Quick come here!
Kyénep byak shote! Quick come here! (plural)
Ni je esh témget zagech? What’s it like outside?
Wi gméyamget ne ngom? Will it rain today?
Ni pi je i zakmogemek? Where is the bathroom (outhouse)?
Ni pi je i wisnewgemek? Where is the kitchen?
Ndeton anet mingaswenen I have some gifts
Ngi byédonen node mingaswenen I brought these gifts
Ébgednoyan ode sémau I put down /offer this tobacco
Ébgednoyan ode nibiwen I put down/offer this water
Nwi ngemo I will sing
Nwi madmo I will pray
Gwi madmomen We will pray
Ge Wisnemen Let’s eat
Ge binakjegémen Let’s clean up
Ge bidgémen Let’s go in
Ge wéwébdamen Let’s begin
Gwi bokpedon ne? You want a break?
Ode se ndekwéyom This is my wife
Ode se ndeniyem This is my husband
Nénmoshen i mbish Hand me the water
Nénmoshen i wiyas Hand me the meat
Nénmoshen i kemsagen Hand me that ax
Nénmoshen i jishtegen Hand me that broom
Nénmoshen I déwégen Hand me that drum
Gi byédon ne I déwégen? Did you bring a drum?
Gi byédon ne anet gishki? Did you bring some cedar?
Nebyégén ode Write this
Gégo nebyégén Don’t write
Daga mishen gi penik Please give me the potatoes
Daga byédweshen anet mbish Please bring me some water
Daga mina i kemsagen o Mkwabjegé Please give the ax to Mkwabjegé
Daga nénmo i mbop o Kwénago Please hand the soup to Kwénago
Daga mina i kewéwen o Wawashkeshikwé Please hand that flag to Wawashkeshikwé
Daga mina i gishkbojgen o Mzekwagé Please hand that saw to Mzekwagé
Ni je éndebendat ode? Who does this belong to?
Ni je éndebendat ode mkesen? Who does this shoe belong to?
Ni je éndebendat ode wiwkwan? Who does this cap belong to?
I yé I ne? Is that it?
Éhe, I yé I Yes, that’s it
I yé o ne? Is that him/her?
Éhe, I yé o Yes, that’s h/h
Jibteben shote Sit here
Jibtebek ibe Sit there (plural)
Jayék ginwa ne nodwak? Can you all hear?
Jayék ginwa ne nodweshen? Can you all hear me?
Éhé nnodan Yes, I can hear
Cho wi she nnodansi I can’t hear
Éhé nnodwen Yes, I hear you
Cho wi she nnodwesi I can’t hear you
Gi nodagé ne? Did you hear (news)
Gi wabdan ne ode? Did you see this?
Gi wabma ne o? Did you see h/h?
Ngi wabdan i I saw it
Cho ngi wabdasin i I didn’t see it
Ngi nodagé I heard
Cho ngi nodagési I didn’t hear
Ngi zhechké I I did that
Cho ngi zhechkési I I didn’t do that
Ni je éschegéyen? What are you doing?
Ni je wa zhechkéyak wabek? What will we do tomorrow?
Ni je ga zhechkéyak wnago? What did we do yesterday?
Gkendan ne i? Do you know that?
Éhe ngekendan I Yes, I know that
Gkenma ne o? Do you know h/h?
Éhe ngekenma o Yes, I know h/h
chowi she gbbamzewen I that is none of your business
ni je wej kendemyen I why do you want to know that
chowi shna gmnesyen ekendemyen I you really don’t need to know that
O kshemnedo madmowen
Nosinan wakwig ebiyin,
ape kitchitwawenitamag kitinosowin,
kitokumawin ape piyamikuk,
kitebwetako tipu wakwig,
apeke ichu tebwetakon chote kig.
Ngom ekijikiwok michinag wamitchiyak,
ponigitediwichinag kego kachikichiinakin,
echi ponigitediwiket woye kego kachikichiimidjin;
kinaimochinag ewi pwa patadiyak;
tchitchiyikwan nenimowichinag meyanuk waotichkakoyakin.
Ape iw nomikuk.
Just have some fun with language.
Énepijak Seasons
Mnokmek Spring
Nibnek Summer
Dgwagék Fall
Bbok/Bbomgek Winter
Gizsok: Months of the year:
Chemkogizes Big Bear Moon/January
Mkogizos Little bear Moon/February
Nmébnegizes Sucker Moon/March
Zisbadokégizes Sugar Moon/April
Démengizes Strawberry Moon/May
Gtegégizes Gardening Moon/June
Abtenibnegizes Mid-summer Moon/July
Minkégizes Blueberry Moon/August
Watebgyagizes Turning Leaves Moon/September
Bnakwigizes Falling Leaves Moon/October
Bbongizes Snow Moon/November
Abtobbongizes Mid-winter Moon/December
Geshémnedogizes Spirit Moon/December
Gizhek: Days of the week:
Ngotgizhek First Day/Monday
Nizhgizhek Second day/Tuesday
Abtosak Midweek/Wednesday
Nyéwgizhek Fourth Day/Thursday
Nyanogizhek Fifth Day/Friday
Odankégizhek Go to town Day/Saturday
Nemégizhek Prayer Day/Sunday
Ni je ga wpijak égidgoyen? During what part of the year were you born?
É-_________ngi wdades. __________is when I was born.
Ni je pi gadgoyen? When were you born?
É-__________ngi wdades. _________is when I was born.
Ni je pi ga nigyen? When were you born/delivererd?
É-_________ngi nik. ____________is when I was born.
In reference to days of the week.
First éshkewebsek
Second énishwek
Third énswesek
Fourth ényewsek
Fifth ényanosek
Sixth éngotwatsek
Seventh énoégsek
Eighth énshwatsosek
Ninth énzhaksek
Tenth énmdatsosek
Eleventh énmdatsoshejngotsek
Another way……..
First éko ngot
Second éko nishek
Third éko nswesek
Fourth éko nyewek
Fifth éko nyanok
Sixth éko ngotwatsek
Seventh éko noegsek
Eighth éko shwatsek
Ninth éko zhaksek
Tenth éko mdatsek
Odo pi ebyat o mskwabiskewagnene
At this time the red coated man comes
Enen mego se mamanji piwen
Enen mego se mamanji piwen
Mine ewepomgek
We wish you a merry Christmas
We wish you a merry Christmas
And a happy New Year…….
Have fun with this language, as there are so many ways to say these same things……figure it out.
Lesson on the 4 types of verbs
Four Main types of verbs
AI, II, TI, TA
Animate Intransitive Verbs AI
These are words where something animate does something by themselves. Basically it doesn’t effect anyone or anything else
Example: I eat, I sit, I will go, I did read, I will write etc.
Wisne- he/she eats, maji-he/she leaves, wawijge- he/she reads,kikto-he/she talks,kedo-he/she says etc.
Inanimate Intransitive II
This is when something inanimate is a certain way.
Example: It is cold, It is round , it is red, they are long, it is small etc. Many weather forms are in this form.
Ksenya mget- it is cold, gshatemget- it is hot. Wawyeya- it is round, gachnwa- it is small.
Transitive Inanimate TI
Something is going on between someone and an inanimate object
Example, I see it. I touched it, I am eating it, Did you want it? I like it, etc.
Wabdan- he/she sees it, nodan- he/she hears it, nedwendan-he/she wants it, medagwendan-he/she likes it, mijen- he/she eats it. Dapnen- he/she picks it up,
Majidon- he/she takes it
Transitive Animate TA
Someone animate is doing something with someone or something animate. This can also be between either a person and a person or a person and an animate object.
Example: I am picking up the pipe. I see him. I hear him. She is talking to you. We are going to eat potatoes. Certain objects are animate such as potatoes, beans, corn etc. Wabma- see s.o., nodwa- hear s.o.
Kenona- talk to s.o., mina- to give s.o.
VAI-Verb Animate Intransitive
Animate Action verbs tell you what an animate noun or subject is doing. These verbs can also describe the state of being of the animate noun.
Here are some VAI examples:
Mikchewi-to work or h/s works
N de mikchewi ngom. I am working today.
G de mikchewi ngom. You are working today.
W de mikchewi ngom. H/S is working today.
N de mikchewimen ngom. We (-) are working today.
G de mikchewimen ngom. We (+) are working today.
G de mikchewim ngom. You all are working today.
W de mikchewik ngom. They are working today.
Maji- to leave or he/she leaves
N wi maji wabek. I will leave tomorrow.
G wi maji wabek. You will leave tomorrow.
Wi majiwak wabek. H/S will leave tomorrow.
N wi majimen wabek. We (-) will leave tomorrow.
G wi majimen wabek. We (+) will leave tomorrow.
G wi majim wabek. You all will leave tomorrow.
Wi majik wabek. They will leave tomorrow.
Zhye- to go or h/s goes
N gi zhya wnago. I went yesterday.
G gi zhya wnago. You went yesterday.
Gi zhyewak wnago. H/S went yesterday.
N gi zhyamen wnago. We (-) went yesterday.
G gi zhyamen wnago. We (+) went yesterday.
G gi zhyam wnago. You all went yesterday.
Gi zhyewik wnago. They went yesterday.
Wisne-to eat or h/s eats
N ge wisen. I am about to eat.
G ge wisen. You are about to eat.
W ge wisne. H/S is about to eat.
N ge wisnemen. We (-) are about to eat.
G ge wisnemen. We (+) are about to eat.
G ge wisnem. You all are about to eat.
W ge wisnik. They are about to eat.
VII- Verb Inanimate Intransitive
This is when a verb describes a state of being of an inanimate noun (inanimate descriptive verbs) or when an inanimate action verb tells what is happening with something inanimate (weather terms).
Weather term examples :
Gi gshatemget ngom. It was hot today.
Bonimget. It is snowing.
Ksenyamget zagech. It is cold outside.
Wi Tkeyamget wabek. It will be cool tomorrow.
Gi yabwamget wnago. It was warm yesterday.
Mzhekwet ngom. It is a clear sky today.
Describitive inanimate intransitive verb examples:
Gachnwa ode dopwen. This table is small.
Meshamget ode shkwadem. This door is large.
Meskede ode gokbenagen. This basket is expensive.
Wenpengede i msenegen. The book is cheap.
Gshedemget i gapi. The coffee is hot.
Gi webnegade i nonagnabo. The milk was discarded.
(VTA) Verb Transitive Animate
This is when a verb interacts with an animate noun and another animate noun. One animate noun is the subject and the other animate noun is the object.
VTA-Dapna -To pick up someone
Singular examples
N wi dapna o nemosh. I will pick up the dog.
G wi dapna o nemosh. You will pick up the dog.
Wi dapnan ni nemoshen. He/she will pick up the dog.
In this example the object (nemoshen) becomes the 4th person or the obviative.
N wi dapnamen o nemosh. We (-) will pick up the dog.
G wi dapnamen o nemosh. We (+) will pick up the dog.
G wi dapnawa o nemosh. You all will pick up the dog.
Wi dapnawan ni nemoshen. They will pick up the dog.
In this example the object (nemoshen) becomes the 4th person or the obviative.
Plural examples
N wi dapnak gi nemoshek. I will pick up the dogs.
G wi dapnak gi nemoshek. You will pick up the dogs.
Wi dapnan ni nemoshen. He/she will pick up the dogs.
In this example the object (nemoshen) becomes the 4th person or the obviative.
N wi dapnamen gi nemoshek. We (-) will pick up the dogs.
G wi dapnamen gi nemoshek. We (+) will pick up the dogs.
G wi dapnawak gi nemoshek. You all will pick up the dogs.
Wi dapnawan ni nemoshen. They will pick up the dogs.
VTA-Bidapkowebna-To put something animate in the oven
Singular examples
N gi bidapkowebna o bidi. I put the chicken in the oven.
G gi bidapkowebna o bidi. You put the chicken in the oven.
Gi bidapkowebnan ni bidiyen. He/she put the chicken in the oven.
In this example the object (bidiyen) becomes the 4th person or the obviative.
N gi bidapkowebnamen o bidi. We (-) put the chicken in the oven.
G gi bidapkowebnamen o bidi. We (+) put the chicken in the oven.
G gi bidapkowebnawa o bidi. You all put the chicken in the oven.
Gi bidapkowebnawan ni bidiyen. They put the chicken in the oven.
In this example (bidiyen) becomes the 4th person or the obviative.
Plural examples
N gi bidapkowebnak gi bidiyek. I put the chickens in the oven.
G gi bidapkowebnak gi bidiyek. You put the chickens in the oven.
Gi bidapkowebnan ni bidiyen. He/she put the chickens in the oven.
In this example the (bidiyen) becomes the 4th person or the obviative.
N gi bidapkowebnamen gi bidiyek. We (-) put the chickens in the oven.
G gi bidapkowebnamen gi bidiyek. We (+) put the chickens in the oven.
G gi bidapkowebnawak gi bidiyek. You all put the chickens in the oven.
Gi bidapkowebnawan ni bidiyen. They put the chickens in the oven.
In this example (bidiyen) becomes the 4th person or the obviative
VTI –Verb Transitive Inanimate
Definition- When an animate noun/subject transfers a verb action upon an inanimate object.
Verb-Zibyedon- to wash something
Singular
N gi zibyedon i mjegode. I washed the dress/skirt.
G gi zibyedon i mjegode. You washed the dress/skirt.
Gi zibyedon i mjegode. She washed the dress/skirt.
N gi zibyedomen i mjegode. We (-) washed the dress/skirt.
G gi zibyedomen i mjegode. We (+) washed the dress/skirt.
G gi zibyedom i mjegode. You all washed the dress/skirt.
W gi zibyedonawa i mjegode. They washed the dress/skirt.
Plural
N wi zibyedonen ni mjegodnen. I will wash the dresses/skirts.
G wi zibyedonen ni mjegodnen. You will wash the dresses/skirts.
Wi zibyedonen ni mjegodnen. She will wash the dresses/skirts.
N wi zibyedonen ni mjegodnen. We (-) will wash the dresses/skirts.
G wi zibyedonen ni mjegodnen. We (+) will wash the dresses/skirts.
G wi zibyedom ni mjegodnen. You all will wash the dresses/skirts.
Wi zibyedonawan ni mjegodnen. They will wash the dresses/skirts.
Verb- nedwabdan- to look for something
Singular
N de nedwabdan i wiwkwan. I am looking for a cap.
G de nedwabdan i wiwkwan. You are looking for a cap.
W de nedwabdan i wiwkwan. He/she is looking for a cap.
N de nedwabdamen i wiwkwan. We (-) are looking for a cap.
G de nedwabdamen i wiwkwan. We (+) are looking for a cap.
G de nedwabdam i wiwkwan. You all are looking for a cap.
W de nedwabdanawa i wiwkwan. They are looking for a cap.
Plural
N da nedwabdanen ni wiwkwanen. I should look for the caps.
G da nedwabdanen ni wiwkwanen. You should look for the caps.
Da nedwabdanen ni wiwkwanen. He/she should look for the caps.
N da nedwabdamen ni wiwkwanen. We (-) should look for the caps.
G da nedwabdamen ni wiwkwanen. We (+) should look for the caps.
G da nedwabdam ni wiwkwanen. You all should look for the caps.
Da nedwabdanawan ni wiwkwanen. They should look for the caps.
Language is dad gummed interesting….
Bodewadmi nazwenen – Potawatomi Colors
A study in particles relating to colors.
When studying the words for colors, one must take a moment and look around the world with the eye of an artist. The “blue” of the sky is not the same as the “blue” of a navy blue shirt. It is often helpful to understand Potawatomi color words by what they describe to avoid preconceived notions of what the translated color looks like.
Enadek what color it is (inanimate)
Enazwen what color it is (animate)
Basic color words:
Mskwa Red
Wizaw Yellow or Brown
Wabshkya White
Mkedéwa Black
Skebgya Green
Gizhonazwen Blue
Wéjepkwa Dark Blue or Purple
Zhominazwenen Another Purple
Wabikwé’a Gray
Using these colors to describe things requires the use of particles, and a basic knowledge of color mixing. Here are some words and descriptions given by Donald Perrot, heritage fluent speaker, PBPN, May 12, 2012:
Skebgyawen – It is green (describing the color of a leaf on a tree)
Skebgyawnon – they are green (describing the color of many leaves on a tree against the color of the sky
Mkedeskebgyadenon – it is dark green.
Wabiskebgyadenon – it is light green.
Gishekskebgyadenon – it is bluish green.
Gizheknazwedenon – It is blue (describing the color of the sky at midday)
Gmidmagizhekdenon – it is a deep blue. (Prussian blue)
Gizhekayawen – It is blue (again describing the color of the sky, listed as a variant)
Gizhinon – It is sky blue (used to describe an object that is similar to the color of the sky)
Wejepkwa éskebgyawen – It is bluish green (describing the color of the grass as compared to the leaves on the tree)
Wejepkwa éskebgwa nake gizhonazwen mine skebgya – Blue Green (a deep green with bluish undertones, like the color of grass in the shade)
Wéjepkwadék – Dark purplish blue (describing the sky right after sunset before everything turns black)
Wabwejepkwazawedenon – They are a lighter purple (describing blooming lilac flowers)
Wabmeskwazawedenon – They are a “hot pink” color (describing hot pink flowers)
Wabmeskwaékwejgakwézawnon – They are a muted pink, literally “a shadow of itself” (describing the pale pink of a conch shell)
Wabwizawedenon – they are bright yellow (describing bright yellow flowers)
Wabmkedébiwabwedenon – They are a grayish color with brown undertones (describing the trunks of trees through the leaves)
Énazwenajek – used to describe the forms of colors of animate things
Nazwen – a color (noun)
Wabmkedé ékwejkawkwézawwedenon – They are a muted grayish color (describing the trunks of trees again)
Géchwa she wabnazwé’et se i namkemgéwen – More light can be seen as you go down, allowing the color to show through (describing how the color of the trunk of the tree changes as you look from top to bottom depending on how much light is filtering through the leaves)
Ékwejkakwewizawedenon – They have a muted brown color (describing the brown on a finished piece of furniture)
Zhonyaw – It is shiny (describes the metallic color of silver or gold)
Wizawsheshkiwen – Brown dirt
Jagnazwenen sheshkiwen – Dirt with many colors
Mskwegishek mine skebyagishek – Red and Blue days ( a teaching of the Potawatomi).
Skebgya – a blend of green and blue with more green, used to describe green, growing things. It was noted that the color of the sky is considered the “true blue”.
Gishek – Sky
Gizhekwedenon – The color of the sky. “an established blue”.
Wabakwet – Gray Cloud
Wabakwod – It is gray (describing a cloud)
Wabek – does not just mean tomorrow or morning. It’s real meaning is “White as it pushes the darkness away.”
Wabmskawizawedenon – they are a reddish orange color (describing a shirt)
Wizawmskwéwedenon – they are a reddish brown color, like the color of cherry wood
Wizawmskwedénon – they appear to be a blending of red and brown (describing a burgundy colored recliner)
Wabmskwédénon – they appear to be a blending of white and red (describing a pinkish color) perhaps the color of the rising sun in the Eastern sky.
Mskwawizawnon – the reddish yellowish of the rising sun.
Wizawamget o gizes – the sun is bright yellow in his full color.
Zhominazwenen ni ankwedonen – those clouds are purplish.
Wizawmkedenon i wngekwen – the bark is dark brownish.
Wabshkedbe – white headed.
Wizawdbe – yellow headed one.
Wabwizawdbe – platinum blonde headed one.
Mskwadbe – red head…
Desamenazwenon – flesh colored or flesh toned.
Wiyasenazwenon – skin or flesh toned.
Zheshkienazwenon – Earth tones or toned.
I repeat, never, never ignore basics!
Most people who become good or semi-fluent with these Neshnabek languages are those who have spent time learning the basics very well. Anyone I have taught or worked with who has grasped the concepts of the language and can actually speak it with some degree of fluency, are the ones who pay attention to the basics. The more one practices the basics of pronunciation, learning the emphatic pronouns, the demonstrative pronouns, the tense markers, and the affixes, along with a healthy knowledge of verbs and nouns, can usually excel in speaking and formulating good conversational phrases. If you are one who doesn’t pay attention to the basics of this language then you probably will not be able to ever speak like a fluent speaker, and you probably will never understand completely what is said to you. SO, I repeat, practice the BASICS!
