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Vocabulary in Native American Languages: Chinook Jargon Words

Welcome to our Chinook Jargon vocabulary page! Chinook Jargon is a trade language, with some of its vocabulary coming from European languages like English and French while other words come from Native American languages like Chinook and Nootka. We have included twenty basic Chinook Jargon words here, to compare with related American Indian languages. If you need to know a Chinook Jargon word that is not currently on our page, you can take part in our Indian translations fundraiser or visit our main Chinook Jargon language site for more free resources.

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Chinook Jargon Word Set

Please note that since the Chinook Jargon is a trade pidgin (mixed language), many of the words in it come from English or French.

English (Français)	Chinook Jargon	Origin of Word
One (Un)	Ikt	From Chinook Ixt
Two (Deux)	Mokst	From Chinook Môkst
Three (Trois)	Klone	From Chinook Łun
Four (Quatre)	Lakit	From Chinook Lakt
Five (Cinq)	Kwinnum	From Chinook Kwanm
Man (Homme)	Man	From English
Woman (Femme)	Klootchman	Combining Nootka Łóóc, 'female,' with English man
Sun (Soleil)	Sun	From English
Moon (Lune)	Moon	From English
Water (Eau)	Chuck	From Nootka Ča'úk

Click here to see Chinook Jargon vocabulary words compared to words in related Penutian languages: Penutian Indian Words

Additional Resources

   Washington tribes
   Native dictionary
   Names in Native American
   Penutian languages

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