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Welcome to our Innu vocabulary page! There are two languages spoken by the Innu, Montagnais and Naskapi. These are related Algonquian languages, but they are different enough that Montagnais and Naskapi speakers cannot easily understand each other. Here is a comparative chart of some basic vocabulary words in the two Innu languages.
English (Français) | Montagnais | Naskapi |
One (Un) | Peiku | Paaikw |
Two (Deux) | Nishu | Niisu |
Three (Trois) | Nishtu | Nistu |
Four (Quatre) | Neu | Naaw |
Five (Cinq) | Patetat | Pitaataahch |
Man (Homme) | Napeu | Naapaaw |
Woman (Femme) | Ishkueu | Iskwaaw |
Dog (Chien) | Atemu | Atim |
Sun (Soleil) | Pishum | Piisim |
Moon (Lune) | Tipishkau-pishum | Tipiskaaw-piisim |
Water (Eau) | Nipi | Nipiiy |
White (Blanc) | Uapau | Waapaaw |
Yellow (Jaune) | Uishauau | Wiisaawaaw |
Red (Rouge) | Mihkuau | Miihkwaaw |
Black (Noir) | Kashteuau or Pinitik | Wiipaaw |
Eat (Manger) | Mitshu | Miichisuw |
See (Voir) | Uapatam | Waapaahtim |
Hear (Entendre) | Pehtam | Paahtim |
Sing (Chanter) | Nikamu | Nikimuw |
Leave (Partir) | Pûshit | Nikitaaw |
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