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Vocabulary Words in Native American Languages: Anishinaabe

Here is a comparison of vocabulary words in Southwestern Ojibwe (as spoken in Minnesota), Ottawa, and Algonquin. Some linguists consider them separate languages, some consider them dialects of a single language, and others consider two of them to be the same language but the third to be separate. Here are the words and you can judge for yourself:

Anishinaabe Word Sets

English (Français) Algonquin Ojibwe Ottawa
One (Un) Pejig Bezhig Bezhig
Two (Deux) Nìj Niizh Niizh
Three (Trois) Niswi Niswi Nswi
Four (Quatre) New Niiwin Niiwin
Five (Cinq) Nànan Naanan Naanan
Man (Homme) Ininì Inini Nini
Woman (Femme) Ikwe Ikwe Kwe
Dog (Chien) Animosh Animosh Nimosh
Sun (Soleil) Kìzis Giizis Giizis
Moon (Lune) Tibik-kìzis Dibik-Giizis Dbik-Giizis
Water (Eau) Nibì Nibi Nbi
White (Blanc) Wàbà Waabishki Waabshki
Yellow (Jaune) Ozàwà Ozaawi Zaawi
Red (Rouge) Miskwà Misko Msko
Black (Noir) Makadewà Makade Mkade
Eat (Manger) Mìdjin Miijin or Wiisini Miijin
See (Voir) Wàbi Waabi Waabi
Hear (Entendre) Nòndam Noondam Noondam
Sing (Chanter) Nigamo Nagamo Ngamo
Leave (Partir) Màdjà or Nagadàn Maajaa or Nagazh Maajaa or Ngazh

Click here to see Anishinabe vocabulary words compared to words in related Algonquian languages: Algonquian Indian Words

Anishinabe Picture Dictionaries

Here are some themed Anishinabe word lists we have put together and illustrated for language learners. Feel free to print them out for classroom purposes!

*Ojibwe animal words
*Algonquin animal words
*Ojibwe body parts
*Algonquin body parts

Additional Resources

   Ontario Native languages
   American Indian dictionaries
   Native American Indian names
   Native American numeral words
   Algonquian
   Anishinabe



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