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Vocabulary in Native American Languages: Miami-Illinois Words

Welcome to our Miami-Illinois vocabulary page! Miami-Illinois is an Algonquian language, related to other languages like Ojibwe and Blackfoot. We have included twenty basic Miami-Illinois words here, to compare with related American Indian languages. You can find more Miami and Illinois Indian words in our online picture glossaries. If you'd like to know a word that is not in these wordlists, you can take part in our Indian translations fundraiser or visit our main Miami language site for more free resources.

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Miami-Illinois Word Set

The Miami-Illinois language has not been spoken actively in some time, though the people are trying to revive it for their children. These vocabulary words come from 18th- and 19th-century sources and may well have some errors in them; sadly, there are no native speakers left to verify them.

(Click here for Miami-Illinois pronunciation guide)

English (Français)	Miami-Illinois words
One (Un)	Nkoti
Two (Deux)	Niishwi
Three (Trois)	Niswi
Four (Quatre)	Niiwi
Five (Cinq)	Yaalaanwi
Man (Homme)	Alenia
Woman (Femme)	Mitemohsa
Dog (Chien)	Alemwa
Sun (Soleil)	Kiilhswa
Moon (Lune)	Kiilhswa
Water (Eau)	Nipi
White (Blanc)	Waapi
Yellow (Jaune)	Oonsaawi
Red (Rouge)	Mihko
Black (Noir)	Mahkate
Eat (Manger)	Miiciwa
See (Voir)	Neemwa or Waapantamwa
Hear (Entendre)	Noontamwa
Sing (Chanter)	Neehineewa
Leave (Partir)	Neekalaaci

Click here to see Illini and Miami words compared to words in related Algonquian languages: Algonquian Indian Words

Miami-Illinois Picture Dictionaries

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

Miami-Illinois animal words

Miami-Illinois body parts

Miami-Illinois color words

Miami-Illinois number words

Additional Resources

   Miami Indians
   The Illini
   Tribes of Indiana
   Miami myths
   Northeast Woodlands Native American

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