En Construction The languages of Aboriginal people are very diverse and distinctive. Below is an excercise that will let you experience an aboriginal language. This activity will show you the differences between English and Mohawk, an Iroqouain language.
Currently there are seven existing Iroqouain languages; Mohawk, Oneida, Cayuga, Onandaga, Tuskarora, Seneca and Huron. The Iroquois people have territories along the St-Laurence River and the Great Lakes of both Canada and the United States.
Here is a list of Mohawk words, how they are pronounced and what they mean in English.
Mohawk Pronounciation in English
Iakon:kwe Ya / Goon / Kway Woman
Ronkwe Rroon / Kway Man
Eksa:'a Ekk / Sa / Ah Girl
Raksa:'a Rakk / Sa / Ah Boy
Okwaho Oh / Kwa / Ho Wolf (Dog)
Okwa:ri Oh / Kwa / Re Bear
Tako's Ko:wa Da / Goss, Go / Waa Big Cat (Puma)
A:kweks Ah / Gwayks Eagle
Ianontah:here Ya / Noon / Da / Hay / 'R Mountain
Owe:ra Oh / Way / Rah Wind
Kahon:tsi Ga / Hoon / Dse Black
Otsitsa Oh / Dse / Dsah Flower
Kawanna Ga / Wah / Nah Big
Kanewah:a Ga / Ne / Wah / Ah Small
Sken:nen Ska / Nah Peace
Karonhai:ke Ga / Roon / Ya / Gay Sky, in the sky worl
Karonhiatahere Ga / Roon / Ya / Da / Hay'r Hill
Onia:tara Oh / Nia / Da / Ra River
Tekanien'kwatasehe De / Ga / Nian / 'Gwa / Da / Say / Heh Storm
Tewani'nehkara'wanhen De / Wa / Ne / Neh / Ga / Ra / Wa / Nah Lightning
O'tsira Oh / Dse / Rah Fire
Ionsaste Yon / Zas / Day Fast
Konnaronkwa Goon / Na / Roon / Gwah Love
Iokwetie:ro Yo / Kway / Jay / Roh Pretty
Rohonias Roh / Hoon / Yas Tall
Onekwenhtara Oh / Nay / Kway / Da / Rah Red
Ionwastsenon:ni Yon / Was / Stay / Noon / Ni Happy
Kwe Kwe Gway Gway Hello or Hi
Nia:wen Nia / Weh Thank you
Using some of these Mohawk words, make a name for yourself. Traditionally, a name was handed down from an ancestor or was earned during special events of a person's life. The name a person had was unique to that individual. When a person passed on, the name became available again. Therefore, the name you choose for yourself can only be used by you; nobody else can copy your name...
My name is Katsenhake:ron ( Gat / Tsen / Ha / Gay / Rroon) it means Spotted Fire's or fire is burning on the ground, in various spots. I am a Mohawk from the reservation, Kahnawake (Ga / Na / Wa / Gay) in Quebec, Canada. My English name is Chad Diabo, and I made this learning activity for myself as much as anybody else. I do not speak my language fluently, therefore if any mistakes were made in this excercise, I apologize.
To TG Magazine, I thank you for this opportunity, Nia:wen Ko:wa.
Chad Diabo
We invite youth of different cultures to send us their activities.
© 1997 - TG Magazine / The Students Commission
© 1997 le magazine TG / la Commission des étudiants