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Vocabulary Words in Native American Languages: Wabanaki Languages

There are three languages spoken by the Wabanaki tribes: Abenaki-Penobscot (spoken by the Penobscot and Abenaki tribes,) Maliseet-Passamaquoddy (spoken by the Maliseet and Passamaquoddy tribes,) and Mi'kmaq (spoken by the Mi'kmaq tribe.) These are related Algonquian languages, but they are different enough that speakers cannot easily understand each other. Here is a comparative chart of some basic vocabulary words in the three languages.

Wabanaki Word Sets

English (Français)	Abenaki-Penobscot	Maliseet-Passamaquoddy	Mi'kmaq
One (Un)	Bazegw	Pesq or Neqt	Newt
Two (Deux)	Niz	Nis	Tápu
Three (Trois)	Nas	Nihi	Síst
Four (Quatre)	Yaw	New	Néw
Five (Cinq)	Nôlan	Nan	Nán
Man (Homme)	Zanôba or Gizôba	Skitap	Jínm
Woman (Femme)	Behanem	Ehpit	Épit
Dog (Chien)	Alemos or Adia	Olomuss	Lmúj
Sun (Soleil)	Gizos	Kisuhs	Nákúset
Moon (Lune)	Gizos	Nipawset	Tepkunset
Water (Eau)	Nebi	’Samaqan	Samqwan
White (Blanc)	Wôbi	Wapi	Wapék
Yellow (Jaune)	Wizôw	Wisawi	Wisawék
Red (Rouge)	Mekwi	Mqeyu or Pqeyu	Mekwék
Black (Noir)	Mkazawi	Mokosewi	Maqtewék
Eat (Manger)	Micimek	Mitsu	Mijjit or Etlatalk
See (Voir)	Namito	Nomihtu	Nemík
Hear (Entendre)	Nodam	Nutomon	Nutaq
Sing (Chanter)	Linto	Lintu	Etlintoq
Leave (Partir)	Ngadôzig	Nokotomon or Macehe	Majásit or Naqalk

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

Wabanaki Picture Dictionaries

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

Abenaki-Penobscot animal words

Maliseet-Passamaquoddy animal words

Micmac animal words

Additional Resources

   Maine native languages
   American Indian dictionaries
   Native American Indian names
   Native American number words
   Algonquian Indian languages
   Gluskap legends

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Learn more about the Wabanaki Indian tribes.

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