The Twenty-one Precepts or Moral Commandments of the Ottawa and
Chippewa Indians, by Which They Were Governed in Their Primitive State,
Before They Came in Contact With White Races in Their Country--The Ten
Commandments, The Creed, and The Lord's Prayer in the Ottawa Language
as Translated by the Author.
1st. Thou shalt fear the Great Creator, who is the over ruler of all
things.
2d. Thou shalt not commit any crime, either by night or by day, or
in a covered place: for the Great Spirit is looking upon thee always,
and thy crime shall be manifested in time, thou knowest not when, which
shall be to thy disgrace and shame.
3d. Look up to the skies often, by day and by night, and see the son,
moon and stars which shineth in the firmament, and think that the Great
Spirit is looking upon thee continually.
4th. Thou shalt not mimic or mock the thunders of the cloud, for they
were specially created to water the earth and to keep down all the evil
monsters that are under the earth, which would eat up and devour the
inhabitants of the earth if they were set at liberty.
5th. Thou shalt not mimic or mock any mountains or rivers, or any
prominent formation of the earth, for it is the habitation of some
deity or spirit of the earth, and thy life shall be continually in
hazard if thou shouldst provoke the anger of these deities.
6th. Honor thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon
the land.
7th. Honor the gray-head persons, that thy head may also be like unto
theirs.
8th. Thou shalt not mimic or ridicule the cripple, the lame, or
deformed, for thou shall be crippled thyself like unto them if them
shouldst provoke the Great Spirit.
9th. Hold thy peace, and answer not back, when thy father or thy mother
or any aged person should chastise thee for thy wrong.
10th. Thou shalt never tell a falsehood to thy parents, nor to thy
neighbors, but be always upright in thy words and in thy dealings with
thy neighbors.
11th. Thou shalt not steal anything from thy neighbor, nor covet
anything that is his.
12th. Thou shalt always feed the hungry and the stranger.
13th. Thou shalt keep away from licentiousness and all other lascivious
habits, nor utter indecent language before thy neighbor and the
stranger.
14th. Thou shalt not commit murder while thou art in dispute with thy
neighbor, unless it be whilst on the warpath.
15th. Thou shalt chastise thy children with the rod whilst they are in
thy power.
16th. Thou shalt disfigure thy face with charcoals, and fast at least
ten days or more of each year, whilst thou are yet young, or before
thou reachest twenty, that thou mayest dream of thy future destiny.
17th. Thou shalt immerse thy body into the lake or river at least ten
days in succession in the early part of the spring of the year, that
thy body may be strong and swift of foot to chase the game and on the
warpath.
18th. At certain times with thy wife or thy daughters, thou shalt clean
out thy fireplaces and make thyself a new fire with thy fire-sticks for
the sake of thyself and for the sake of thy children's health.
19th. Thou shalt not eat with thy wife and daughters at such time, of
food cooked on a new fire, but they shall be provided with a separate
kettle and cook their victuals therein with an old fire and out of
their wigwam, until the time is passed, then thou shalt eat with them.
[Footnote: See Dr. Bondinot's work, "The Star in the West," pp. 216 and
225.]
20th. Thou shalt not be lazy, nor be a vagabond of the earth, to be
hated by all men.
21st. Thou shalt be brave, and not fear any death.
If thou shouldst observe all these commandments, when thou diest thy
spirit shall go straightway to that happy land where all the good
spirits are, and shall there continually dance with the beating of the
drum of Tchi-baw-yaw-booz, the head spirit in the spirit land. But if
thou shouldst not observe them, thy spirit shall be a vagabond of the
earth always, and go hungry, and will never be able to find this road,
"Tchi-bay-kon," in which all the good spirits travel.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.
1st. Pay-zhe-go ke-zhe-maw-nito me-so-de kay-go kaw-ge-zhe-tod; ke-gaw-
pay-zhe-go gwaw-nawdji-aw ane-go-ko-day-a-you ke-gaw-pay-zhe-go saw-ge-
aw.
2d. Kaw-we aw-nesh ke-zhe-maw-nito ke-gaw-wo-we nossi.
3d. Au-nwe-be-we-ne-ge-zhe-got ke-gaw-kwaw-nawdji-ton.
4th. Kouss kanie ke-gaw-she ke-gaw-me-naw-tene-mawg ke-nwezh tchi-we-
pe-maw-deze-yan aw-zhon-daw aw-king.
5th. Ke-go au-we-yaw me-saw-wa-ne-maw-gay.
6th. Ke-go nau-nawe e-nau-de-se-kay.
7th. Ke-go ke-mou-de-kay.
8th. Ke-go kawie ke-no-wish-ke-kay tche-baw-taw-maw-de-baw au-we-ya.
9th. Ke-go mes-sau-we-naw-mau-we-ye-gay ke-dji-pe-maw-de-si o-we-de-
gay-maw-gaw-non.
10th. Ke-go kauie au-we-yaw mes-saw-wendau mau-we-ye-gay ke-go andaw-
nedji.
THE CREED.
Men da-bwe-taw-waw Pa-zhe-go maw-nito we-osse-mind, me-zo-day ke-go
nay-taw-we-tod, kaw-ge-zhe-tod wau-kwee aw-ke kanie. Men day-bwe-taw-
we-mon kaice ogwisson paw-ye-zhe-go-nedjin Jesus Krist te-bay-ne-me-
nong. We-ne-zhe-she-nedjin maw-niton o-ge-aw-neshe-naw-bay-we-egoun,
Mari-yon kaw-gaw-ge we-nedjin oge-ne-ge-egoun. Ke-go-daw-ge-to me-gwaw
o-ge-maw-wit Ponce Pila-tawn, ke-baw-daw-kaw-ko-wou tche-baw-yaw-te-
gong, ke-ne-bon ke-naw-gwo-wau kauie au-naw-maw-kaw-mig ke-e-zhaw, waw-
ne-so-ke-zhe-te-nig Ke-au-be-tchi-baw. Waw-kwing ke-e-zhaw, naw-maw-
daw-be o-day-baw-ne-we-kaw-ning ke-zle-maw-niton way-osse me-medjin me-
zo-day ke-go nay tau-we-to-nedjin me-dawst waw-de-be ke-be-ondji-bawd,
tche-be-te-baw-ko-nod pay-maw-de-ze-nedjin, nay-bo-nedjin kauie. Men
day-bwe-taw-waw Way-ne-zhe-shed maw-nito, men day-bwe-tawn kitche-two
kaw-to-lic au-naw-me-a-we-gaw-mig, kay-tchi-two-wendaw-go-ze-djig o-we-
do-ko-daw-de-we-ne-wau paw-taw-do-wene kawss-au-maw-gay-win aw-bedji-
baw-win ezhe-owe-yossing kaw-go-ne pe-maw-de-se-win. Aw-pe-lege.
THE LORD'S PRAYER.
Nossinaw wau-kwing e-be-you au-pe-gwish ke-tchi-twaw-wend-oming ke-daw-
no-zo-win, au-pe-gish pe-daw-gwe-she-no-maw-gok ke-do-gimaw-o-win, ena-
daw-mon au-pe-gish ezhe-wa-bawk, ti-bish-wau-kwing mego kauie au-king.
Me-zhe-she-nong nongo au-gi-zhe-gawk nin baw-kwe-zhe-gaw-ne-me-naw
menik e-you-yong en-daw-so ke-zhe-gok. Po-ne-ge-tay-taw-we-shi-nong
kauie kaw-nish ki-e-nange te-bish-kon ezhe-pone-ge-day-taw-wou-ge-dwaw
kaw-neshke-e-yo-mendjig, ke-go kauie ezhe-we-zhe-she-kong-gay kaw-gwe
ti-bandji-gay-we-ning, au-tchi-tchaw-yo-ing dansh etaw eni-naw-maw-we-
she-nong maw-tchaw-go-e-wish. Ken maw-ke-daw-yon o-ge-maw-owen, mawsh-
kaw-we-se-win kauie pe-she-gain-daw-go-se-win, kaw-ge-gay-kow-mig au-
pe-nay dash kau-e-go kaw-ge-nig. Amen.
GRAMMAR
OF THE
OTTAWA AND CHIPPEWA LANGUAGE.
NOUNS.
Common nouns in the Ottawa and Chippewa language are divided into two
classes, animate and inanimate. Animate nouns are those which signify
living objects or objects supposed to have life, as persons, animals
and plants. Inanimate nouns signify objects without life.
A third form of nouns is derived from these two classes, called
diminutive nouns. These are formed by the termination "ens" or "na"
placed upon other nouns.
The plural of animate nouns is usually formed by adding the syllable
"wog" to the singular; if the word ends in a vowel, only the letter "g"
is added; and sometimes the syllables "yog," "ag," or "og."
All words are pronounced with accent on the last syllable.
Sing. Pl. Eng.
Pe-nay, Pe-nay-wog, Partridge.
Aw-dje-djawk, Aw-dje-djaw-wog, Crane.
Waw-mawsh-kay-she, Waw-mawsh-kay-she-wog, Deer.
Waw-goosh, Waw-goosh-og, Fox.
Pezhe-kee, Pezhe-kee-wog, Cattle.
Pezhe-keens, (dim.) Pezhe-keens-og, Calf.
Aw-ni-moush, Aw-ni-moush-og, Dog.
Aw-ni-mouns, (dim.), Aw-ni-mouns-og, Puppy.
The plural of inanimate nouns usually terminates in an, en, on, or n.
Sing. Pl. Eng.
We-ok-won, We-ok-won-an, Hat.
Wig-wom, Wig-wom-an, House.
Mo-ke-sin, Mo-ke-sin-an, Shoe.
Maw-kok, Maw-kok-on, Box.
Maw-kok-ons, (dim.), Maw-kok-on-son, Small box.
Tchi-mawn, Tchi-mawn-an, Boat.
Tchi-maw-nes, (dim.), Tchi maw-nes-on, Small boat.
Nouns have three cases, nominative, locative and objective. The
locative case denotes the relation usually expressed in English by the
use of a preposition, or by the genitive, dative and ablative in Latin.
Nom. Aw-kick, Kettle.
Loc. Aw-kick-ong, In the kettle.
Obj. E-naw-bin aw-kick-ong, Do look in the kettle.
This relation can be expressed by the word "pin-je," as "Pin-je aw-
kick,"--in the kettle; "E-naw-bin pin-je aw-kick,"--do look in the
kettle; but this form is seldom used. It is employed only for great
emphasis or formality.
The locative termination is "ong," "eng," or "ing."
The objective case is like the nominative when the subject is in the
1st or 2d person, but when the subject is in the 3d person the object
takes the termination "won."
Example of locative and objective cases: Chicago is derived from she-
gog-ong, the locative case of the Ottawa word she-gog, meaning skunk;
nominative, she-gog; locative, she-gog-ong; objective, she-gog or she-
gog-won.
Locative case--
She-gog-ong ne-de-zhaw, I am going to Chicago.
She-gog-ong ne-do-je-baw, I come from Chicago.
She-gog-ong e-zhawn, Go to Chicago.
Objective case--
1st p.--She-gog ne-ne-saw, I kill the skunk.
2d p.--She-gog ke-ne-saw, You kill the skunk.
3d p.--She-gog-won o-ne-sawn, He kills the skunk.
Gender is distinguished by the word "quay," either prefixed or added to
nouns, to indicate the feminine.
Aw-ne-ne, pl. wog; Man. Aw-quay, pl. wog; Woman.
Aw-nish-naw-bay; Indian man. Aw-nesh-naw-bay-quay; I. woman.
Osh-kee-naw-way; Young man. Osh-kee-ne-ge-quay; Y. woman.
Que-we-zayns, pl. og; Boy. Quay-zayns, pl. og; Girl.
Aw-yaw-bay-pe-zhe-kee; Bull. Quay-pe-zhe-kee; Cow.
Proper names always form the feminine by adding "quay."
Ce-naw-day; Irishman. Ce-naw-day-quay; Irishwoman.
Some genders are irregular.
Aw-ke-wa-zee; Old man. Me-de-mo-gay; Old woman.
Aw-be-non-tchi, an infant, has no distinction of gender.
Os-see-maw, pl. g; Father. O-gaw-shi-maw, pl. g; Mother.
Me-kaw-ne-see-maw; Brother. O-me-say-e-maw; Sister.
O-me-shaw-mes-se-maw; Gr.father. O-kee-mes-se-maw; Grandmother.
O-me-shaw-way-e-maw; Uncle. O-nou-shay-e-maw; Aunt.
We-taw-wis-see-maw; Male cousin. We-ne-mo-shay-e-maw; Fem. cous.
Diminutive nouns take the same modifications as the nouns from which
they are derived.
Verbs and adjectives are modified to agree with the animate or
inanimate nouns to which they belong, as will be illustrated hereafter.
PRONOUNS.
Personal pronouns have no distinction of gender in the third person
singular. A peculiarity of this language is the two forms for the first
person plural. These two forms for pronouns, and for verbs in all moods
and tenses, are like each other except in the first syllable. In one
form the first syllable is always "Ke," and in the other "Ne." The form
commencing with Ke is used only when speaking to one person, and that
commencing with Ne, which might be called the multiple form, is used
whenever more than one person is addressed, even though no word may
appear in the sentence indicating how many. This is an idiosyncracy
which perhaps would never have been developed, certainly would not be
perpetuated, in any except an unwritten language. It is of no effect
except in a language always colloquial. The multiple form will be given
in this grammar as the first person plural, and, whether indicated or
not, the other may be understood as being the same with the change of
the first syllable from Ne to Ke.
PERSONAL PRONOUNS.
Sing. Pl.
1st. p.--Neen or nin, I, ( Ne-naw-wind, (mult.), We.
( Ke-naw-wind,) We.
2d p.--Keen or kin, Thou or you, Ke-naw-waw, You.
3d p.--Ween or win, He or she, We-naw-waw, They.
When these personal pronouns are connected with other words, or when
they become subjects or objects of verbs, the first syllable only is
used, or pronounced. In the third person of verbs the pronoun is
entirely omitted.
Sing. Pl.
Ne wob, I see, Ne wob-me, We see.
Ke wob, You see, Ke wob-em, You see.
Wo-be, He or she sees, Wo-be-wog, They see.
The whole pronoun is sometimes used when the emphatic or intensive form
is desired, as,
Sing.--Neen-ne wob, I myself see.
Keen-ke wob, You yourself see.
Ween wo-be, He himself, or she herself sees.
Pl.--Ne-naw-wind ne-wob-me, We ourselves see.
Ke-naw-waw ke-wob-em, You yourself see.
We-naw-waw wo-be-wog, They themselves see.
POSSESSIVE PRONOUNS..
Ne-daw-yo-em, Mine, Ne-daw-yo-em-e-naw, Ours.
Ke-daw-yo-em, Thine, Ke-daw-yo-em-e-waw, Yours.
O-daw-yo-em, His or hers, O-daw-yo-em-e-waw, Theirs.
Emphatic form--nin ne-daw-yo-em, etc., throughout all the different
persons. When these possessive pronouns are used with nouns, nearly all
the syllables are omitted, except the first, which is added to the noun
in the plural; as--
Sing. Pl.
Ne we-ok-won, My hat, Ne we-ok-won-e-naw, Our hat.
Ke we-ok-won, Your hat, Ke we-ok-won-e-waw, Your hat.
O we ok-won, His hat, O we-ok-won-e-waw, Their hat.
The emphatic form, "my own hat," is made by prefixing the personal
pronouns, as--
Sing. Pl.
Neen ne we-ok-won, Ne-naw-wind ne we-ok-won-e-naw,
Keen ke we-ok-won, Ke-naw-waw ke we-ok-won-e-waw,
Ween o we-ok-won, We-naw-waw o we-ok-won-e-waw.
THE IMPERSONAL PRONOUN.
The impersonal pronoun "maw-got," plural "maw-got-on," may be
represented by the English impersonal or neuter pronoun It, but it has
a wider significance. The inanimate subject of a verb is also
represented by maw-got or maw-got-on. Wa-po-tchin-ga maw-got, or wa-po-
tchin-ga-sa maw-got, it strikes; plural, wa-po-tchin-ga maw-got-on, or
wa-po-tchin-ga-sa maw-got-on, they strike.
Au-no-ke maw-got, It works. Pe-me-say maw-got, It walks.
Ne-bo-we maw-got, It stands. Wo-be maw-got, It sees.
Pe-me-baw-to maw-got, It runs.
Au-nish, interrogative pronoun what; au-naw-tchi, relative pronoun
what; e-we, relative pronoun that.
ADJECTIVES.
Adjectives take two forms, to agree with the animate or inanimate nouns
to which they belong.
Comparison of adjectives is made by other words: O-ne-zhe-she
(inanimate o-ne-zhe-shin), good; Maw-maw-me (or ne-go-ne) o-ne-zhe (or
-shin), better; Au-pe-tchi o-ne-zhe-she (or -shin), best. A fourth
degree is sometimes used: Maw-mo-me o-ne-zhe-she (or -shin), very best.
The words "Me-no" and "Maw-tchi" or "Mau-tchi," do not change when used
with other words, and they are the most common adjectives in the Ottawa
and Chippewa languages; they are used as adverbs, as well as
adjectives.
"Me-no," is equivalent to good, right, and well; and "Man-tchi," is
equivalent to bad, wicked, evil; as Me-no au-ne-ne, good man; Me-no au-
quay, good woman; Me-no au-way-sin, good animal; Me-no au-ky, good
land; Me-no waw-bo-yon, good blanket; Me-no e-zhe-wa-be-sy, good
behavior, or kind; Me-no au-no-ky, he works well, or doing good
business; Me-no pe-maw-de-sy, he is well; Me-no au-yaw, he is getting
well, or convalescent from sickness; Me-no au-no-kaw-so-win, good
utensil, or handy instrument; Me-no wau-gaw-quat, good ax; Me-no ke-
zhi-gut, good day, or pleasant weather; Me-no au-no-kaw-tchi-gon, good
goods, or nice goods; Me-no e-zhe-wa-be-sy, he or she is kind or good;
Me-no maw-tchaw maw-got, it goes well, etc.
The word "Mau-tchi" is equally useful; as, Mau-tchi an-ne-ne, bad man;
Mau-tchi au-quay, bad woman; Mau-tchi e-zhe-wa-be-sy, bad behavior, or
wicked person; Mau-tchi mau-ne-to, evil spirit, or the devil; Mau-tchi
ke-ge-to, wicked language, or profanity; Mau-tchi wau-gaw-quat, bad ax;
Mau-tchi ke-zhwa, vulgar speaker; Man-tchi no-din, bad wind; Mau-tchi
au-naw-quot, bad cloud; Mau-tchi ke-zhe-got, bad day, or rough weather;
Mau-tchi wig-wom, bad house, or wicked house; Mau-tchi au-no-ke-win,
bad business, etc.
Another adjective equally comprehensive is Kwaw-notch: Kwaw-notch au-
ne-ne, well-behaved man; Kwaw-notch au-quay, pretty woman; Kwaw-notch
au-no-ke-win, good business; Kwaw-notch au-no-kaw-tchi-gon, nice goods;
Kwaw-notchi-won, pretty or nice (inanimate); Kwaw-notchi-we, pretty
(animate); Au-pe-tchi kwaw-notchi-we au-quay, very pretty woman.
The following illustrate the changes of form in adjectives for animate
and inanimate:
Animate. Inanimate.
Me-no-e-zhe-wa-be-sy, Me-no-e-zhe-wa-bawt, Kind, mild.
Ke-no-sy, Ke-nwa, Long, tall.
Ke-zhe-we-sy, Ke-zhe-waw, Hard.
Mush-kaw-we-sy, Mush-kaw-waw, Strong.
Ke-zhe-kaw, or ke-zhe-be-so, Ke-zhe-be-ta, Swift, fleet.
Ko-se-gwan-ny, Ko-se-gwan, Heavy.
Maw-tchi-e-zhe-wa-be-sy, Maw-tchi-e-zhe-wa-bot, Bad.
Ma-tchaw-yaw-au-wish, Ma-tchaw-yaw-e-wish, Wicked.
We-saw-ge-sy, We-saw-gun, Bitter.
Wish-ko-be-sy, Wish-ko-bun, Sweet.
Sou-ge-sy, Sou-gun, Tough.
Se-we-sy, Se-won, Sour.
Maw-kaw-te-we-sy, Maw-kaw-te-waw Black.
Ozaw-we-sy, Ozaw-waw, Yellow.
Ozhaw-wash-ko-sy, Ozhaw-wash-kwaw, Green.
Mis-ko-sy, Mis-kwa, Red
We-bin-go-sy, We-bin-gwaw, Blue.
O-zaw won-so O-zaw won-day, Yellow color.
Maw-kaw-te won-so Maw-kaw-te won-day Black color.
Maw-kaw-te-au-ne-ne, black man Maw-kaw-te-mo-kok, Black box.
Mis-ko au-ne, red man Mis-ko wau-bo-yon, Red blanket.
It will be observed that the last one or two syllables of the adjective
are dropped when in connection with a noun.
VERBS.
Ottawa and Chippewa verbs are changed in their conjugations, to
indicate--
1st. Whether their subjects are animate, or inanimate;
2d. Whether their objects are animate, or inanimate;
3d. Whether they are transitive, or intransitive;
4th. Whether they are active, or passive, or reflective;
5th. Whether the expression is common, or emphatic.
They also express by their forms all of the distinctions of mood and
tense, person and number, found in the English, and form their
participles, and are changed into verbal or participial nouns; and
these modifications are for, the most part regular in form.
I. Verbs with inanimate subjects correspond to English impersonal or
neuter verbs, but are much more extensively used. They are usually
formed by adding the impersonal pronoun, maw-got--it; as,
Animate Subject. Inanimate Subject
Sing-Au-nou-kee, he works. Au-nou-ke-maw-got, it works.
Ke-au-nou-ke, he worked. Ke-an-non-ke-maw-got, it worked.
Au-non-ke-wog, they work. Au-nou-ke-maw-go-toun, things work
Ke-au-nou-ke-wog, they worked. Ke-an-nou-ke-maw-go-toun, things worked.
Standing trees, as well as all living creatures and personified things,
are regarded as animate.
II, III. The distinctions for animate and inanimate objects, and for
transitive and intransitive, are illustrated by the following:
Singular--I kill, Thou killest, etc.
Intransitive. Transitive.
Pers. Animate Object Inanimate Object.
1 Ne-ne-taw-gay Ne-ne-saw Ne-ne-ton
2 Ke-ne-taw-gay Ke-ne-saw Ke-ne-toun
3 Ne-taw-gay O-ne-sawn, or son O-ne-toun
Plural--We kill, You kill, etc.
1 Ne-ne-taw-gay-me Ne-ne-saw-naw Ne-ne-tou-naw
2 Ke-ne-taw-gaym Ke-ne-saw-waw Ke-ne-tou-naw-waw
3 Ne-taw-gay-wog O-ne-saw-wawn or won O-ne-tou-naw-waw
Singular--I see, Thou seest, etc.
1 Ne-waub Ne-waub-maw Ne-waub-don, or dawn
2 Ke-waub Ke-waub-maw Ke-waub-don, or dawn
3 Wau-be O-waub-mon or mawn O-waub-don, or dawn
Plural--We see, You see, etc.
1 Ne-waub-me Ne-waub-maw-naw Ne-waub-daw-naw
2 Ke-wau-bem Ke-waub-maw-waw Ke-waub-daw-naw-wan
3 Wau-be-wog O-Waub-naw-won O-waub-daw-naw-wan
IV. What is denominated the reflective form of the verb, is where the
subject and the object are the same person or thing; as, in English, He
hates himself. The passive and reflective forms are illustrated in the
verb, To See, thus:
Passive. Reflective.
Ne-wob-me-go, I am seen. Ne-wau-baw-dis, I see myself.
Ke-wob-me-go, thou art seen. Ke-wau-baw-dis, thou seest thyself.
Wob-maw, he is seen. Wau-baw-de-so, he sees himself.
Ne-wob-me-go-me, we are seen, Ne-wau-baw-de-so-me, we see ourselves
Ko-wob-me-gom, you are seen. Ke-wan-baw-de-som, you see yourselves
Wob-maw-wag, they are seen. Wau-baw-de-so-wag, they see themselves
V. The emphatic form repeats the first part of the pronoun; as, Ne-
waub, I see; Nin-ne-waub, I do see (literally, I myself see).
Intransitive.
Common Form--I eat, etc. Emphatic Form--I do eat, etc.
1 Ne-we-sin Nin-ne-we-sin
2 Ke-we-sin Kin-ke-we-sin
3 We-se-ne Win-we-we-sin
Transitive--Animate Object
1 Ne-daw-mwaw Nin-ne-daw-mwaw
2 Ke-daw-mwaw Kin-ke-daw-mwaw
3 O-daw-mwaw Win-o-daw-mwaw
Transitive--Inanimate Object.
1 Ne-me-djin Nin-ne-me-djin
2 Ke-me-djin Kin-ke-me-djin
3 O-me-djin Win-o-me-djin
The object is frequently placed before the verb--always when in answer
to a question. Thus, the answer to the question, What is he eating?
would be, Ke-goon-yan o-daw-mwawn--Fish he is eating.
Nouns are formed from verbs by adding "win"; as, waub, to see, wau-be-
win, sight; paw-pe, to laugh, paw-pe-win, laughter; au-no-ke, to work,
au-no-ke-win, labor.
NOTE.--A verb susceptible of both the transitive and intransitive
office, and of both animate and inanimate subjects, as for instance,
the verb To Blow, may have no less than fifteen forms for the
indicative present third person singular. The intransitive may be both
animate and inanimate as to subject, and the former both common and
emphatic; the transitive would have the same, multiplied by animate and
inanimate objects; and the passive and reflective would each have
inanimate, and common and emphatic animate--fifteen. Double these for
the plural, and we have thirty forms; and that multiplied by the
sixteen tenses of the indicative, potential and subjunctive moods gives
480 forms of third person. The first and second persons have the same,
minus the inanimate subject, or 20 each for each tense, making 640
more, or 1120 all together in those three moods. The imperative
singular and plural, and the infinitive present and past, and the
participles, add 25. Then there is the additional form for the first
person plural treated under "Pronouns," running through all the sixteen
tenses, common and emphatic, animate and inanimate and intransitive, 96
more--making the astonishing number of 1241 forms of a single verb!--
EDITOR.
_Conjugation of the Verb To Be._
INDICATIVE MOOD.
Pers. Singular. Plural.
Present Tense--I am, etc.
1 Ne-daw-yaw Ne-daw-yaw-me
2 Ke-daw-yaw Ke-daw-yaw-me
3 Aw-yaw Aw-yaw-waug or wog
Imperfect Tense--I was, etc.
1 Ne-ge-au-yaw Ne-ge-au-yaw-me
2 Ke-ge-au-yaw Ke-ge-au-yawm
3 Ke-au-yaw Ke-au-yaw-wog
Perfect Tense--I have been, etc.
1 Au-zhe-gwaw ne-ge-au-yaw Au-zhe-gwaw ne-ge-au-yaw-me
2 Au-zhe-gwaw ke-ge-au-yaw Au-zhe-gwaw ke-ge-au-yawm
3 Au-zhe-gwaw ke-au-yaw Au-zhe-gwaw ke-au-yaw-wog
Pluperfect Tense--I had been, etc.
1 Ne-ge-au-yaw-naw-baw Ne-ge-au-me-naw-baw
2 Ke-ge-au-yaw-naw-baw Ke-ge-au-me-naw-baw
3 Ke-au-yaw-baw Ke-au-yaw-baw-neg
Future Tense--I shall or will be, etc.
1 Ne-gaw-au-yaw Ne-gaw-au-yaw-me
2 Ke-gaw-au-yaw Ke-gaw-au-yawm
3 Taw-au-yaw Taw-au-yaw-wag
POTENTIAL MOOD.
Present Tense--I may or can be, etc.
1 Ko-maw ne-taw-au-yaw Ko-maw ne-taw-au-yaw-me
2 Ko-maw ke-taw-au-yaw Ko-maw ke-taw-au-yawm
3 Ko-maw tau-yaw Ko-maw taw-au-yo-wog
Imperfect Tense--I might be, etc.
1 Ko-maw ne-ge-au-yaw Ko-maw ne-ge-au-yaw-me
2 Ko-maw ke-ge-au-yaw Ko-maw ke-ge-au-yom
3 Ko-maw ke-au-yaw Ko-maw ke-au-yaw-wog
Perfect Tense--I may have been, etc.
1 Au-zhe-gwau ne-tau-ge-au-yaw Au-zhe-gwau ne-tau-ge-au-yaw-me
2 Au-zhe-gwau ke-tau-ge-au-yaw Au-zhe-gwau ke-tau-ge-au-yawm
3 Au-zhe-gwan tau-ge-au-yaw Au-zhe-gwau tau-ge-au-yaw-og
Pluperfect Tense--I might have been, etc.
1 Ko-maw au-yaw-yom-baw Ko maw au-yaw-wong-ge-baw
2 Ko-maw ke-au-yaw-yom-baw Ko-maw au-yaw-ye-go-baw
3 Ko-maw au-yaw-go-baw-nay Ko-maw au-yaw-wo-go-baw-nay
SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD.
Present Tense--If I be, etc.
1 Tchish-pin au-yaw-yaw Tchish-pin au-yaw-wong
2 Tchish-pin au-yaw-yon Tchish-pin au-yaw-yeg
3 Tchish-pin au-yawd Tchish-pin au-yaw-wod
Imperfect Tense--If I were, etc,
1 Tchish-pin ke-au-yaw-yaw Tchish-pin ke-au-yaw-wong
2 Tchish-pin ke-au-yaw-yon Tchish-pin ke-au-yaw-yeg
3 Tchish-pin ke-au-yawd Tchish-pin ke-au-yaw-wod
Perfect Tense--If I have been, etc.
1 Tchish-pin au-zhe-gaw ke-au-yaw-yaw
2 Tchish-pin au-zhe-gaw ke-au-yaw-yon
3 Tchish-pin au-zhe-gwa ke-au-yawd Tchish-pin au-zhe-gwa ke-aw-yaw-wog
Tchish-pin au-zhe-gwa ke-au-yaw-yeg
Tchish-pin au-zhe-gwa ke-au-yaw-wod
[The syllable "gwa" is often omitted, merely saying, "au-zhe."].
Pluperfect Tense--If I had been, etc.
1 Au-zhe ke-au-yaw-yaw-baw Au-zhe ke-au-yaw-wong-o-baw
2 Au-zhe ke-au-yaw-yawm-baw Au-zhe ke-au-yaw-ye-go-baw
3 Au-zhe ke-au-yaw-paw Au-zhe ke-au-yaw-wau-paw
Future Tense--If I shall or will be, etc.
1 Tchish-pin we-au-yaw-yaw Tchish-pin we-au-yaw-wong
2 Tchish-pin we-au-yaw-yon Tchish-pin we-au-yaw-yeg
3 Tchish-pin we-au-yawd Tchish-pin we-au-yaw-wod
IMPERATIVE MOOD--Be thou, Do you be.
2 Au-yawm Au-yawg
INFINITIVE MOOD--To be, To have been.
Present--Tchi-au-yong Perfect--Au-zhe tchi-ke-au-yong
PARTICIPLES--Being, Been, Having been.
Au-zhaw-yong Tchi-ge-au-yong Au-zhe-gwaw tchi-ge-au-yong
_Synopsis of the Verb To See._
I see, Ne-wob.
I saw, Ne-ge-wob.
I have seen, Au-zhe-gwaw ne-ge-wob.
I had seen, Ne-ge-wob-naw-baw
I shall see, Ne-gaw-wob.
I shall have seen, Au-zhe-ge-wob.
I may see, Ko-maw ne-taw-wob.
I might see, Ko-maw ne-ge-wob.
I may-have seen, Au-zhe-gwaw ne-taw-ge-wob.
I might have seen, Ko-maw wob-yawm-baw.
If I see, Tchish-pin wob-yon.
If I saw, Tchish-pin ke-wob-yon-baw.
If I have seen, Tchish-pin au-zhe-gwa wob-yon.
If I had seen, Tchish-pin ke-wob yon-baw.
If I shall see, Tchish-pin we-wob-yon.
If I shall have seen, Tchish-pin we-wob-yon-baw.
See thou, Wob-ben.
To see, Tchi-wob-bing.
To have seen, Tchi-ge-wob-bing.
Seeing, Au-wob-bing.
Having seen, Au-zhe-gwaw au-ge-wob-biog.
Having been seen, Au-ge-wob-bing-e-baw.
I am seen, Ne-wob-me-go.
I was seen, Ne-ge-wob-me-go;
I have been seen, Au-zhe ne-ge-wob-me-go.
I had been seen, Ne-ge-wob-me-go-naw-baw.
I shall be seen, Ne-gaw-wob-me-go.
I shall have been seen, She-gwa-we-wob-me-go-yon.
I may be seen, Ko-maw wob-me-go-yon.
I might be seen, Ko-maw ke-wob-me-go-yon.
I may have been seen, Ko-maw au-zhe ke-wob-me-go-yon.
I might have been seen, Ko-maw au-zhe ke-wob-me-go-yon-baw.
If I be seen, Tchish-pin wob-em-go-yon.
If I have been seen, Tchish-pin au-zhe ke-wob-me-go-yon.
If I had been seen, Tchish-pin ke-wob-me-go-yon-baw.
If I shall be seen, Tchish-pin we-wob-me-go-yon.
If I shall have been seen, Tchish-pin she-gwa-we-wob-me-go-yon.
I see myself, Ne-wau-baw-dis.
I saw myself, Ne-ge-wau-baw-dis.
I shall see myself, Ne-gaw-wau-baw-dis.
I may see myself, Ko-maw ne-daw-wau-baw-dis.
See thyself, Wau-baw-de-son.
To see thyself, Tchi-wob-on-di-song.
MINOR PARTS OF SPEECH.
Adverbs: When, au-pe, au-ne-nish; where, au-ne-pe, au-ne-zhaw; there,
e-wo-te, au-zhe-we. [The significance of the double forms is not clear;
and comparison, as with Adjectives, seems to be by different words.--
ED.]
Prepositions are few, and are oftener embraced in the form of the verb,
as in the Latin. The most important are, pin-je, in; tchish-pin, or
kish-pin, if. Po-taw-wen pin-je ke-zhap ke-ze-gun, make some fire in
the stove; Tchish-pin maw-tchawt, if he go away. Or the same may be
expressed, Po-taw-wen ke-zhap ke-ze-gun-ing ("ing" forming locative
ease, with the preposition implied); and, Maw-yaw-tchaw-gwen (the
latter form of verb expressing subjunctive mood). The employment of the
preposition makes the expression more emphatic.
The most important Conjunctions are, haw-yea, gaw-ya, ka-ie, and; and
ke-maw, or. [Three forms of "and" doubtless due to imperfect
orthography.]
Interjections embrace, yaw! exclamation of danger; au-to-yo! surprise;
a-te-way! disappointment; taw-wot-to! disgust; ke-yo-o! disgust (used
only by females).
There is no Article; but the words, mendaw, that, and maw-baw, this,
are often used before nouns as specifying terms, and are always
emphatic. E-we is common for that, directed to things at a distance.
A peculiarity, of uncertain significance, is the termination, sh, or
esh, employed in connection with the possessive case. It does not
change the interpretation, and is perhaps an expression of familiarity,
or intimate relationship. Illustration:
Ne-gwiss, my son; Ne-gwisa-esh, my son.
Ne-daw-niss, my daughter; Ne-daw-niss-esh, my daughter.
Ne-dib, my head; Ne-dib-awsh, my head.
Ne-wau-bo-yon, my blanket; Ne-wau bo-yon-esh, my blanket.
Ne-gwiss-og, my sons; Ne-gwiss-es-shog, my sons.
Ne-daw-niss-og, my daughters; Ne-daw-niss-es-shog, my daughters.
One, Pa-zhig. Ten, Me-toss-we.
Two, Nezh. Twenty, Nezh-to-naw.
Three, Ness-we. Thirty, Ne-se-me-to-naw.
Four, Ne-win. Forty, Ne-me-to-naw.
Five, Naw-non. Fifty, Naw-ne-me-to-naw.
Six, Ne-go-twos-we. Sixty, Ne-go-twa-se-me-to-naw.
Seven, Nezh-was-we. Seventy, Nezh-wo-se-me-to-naw.
Eight, Nish-shwas-we. Eighty, Nish-wo-se-me-to-naw.
Nine, Shong-swe. Ninety, Shong-gaw-se-me-to-naw.
One hundred, Go-twok.
Father, Os-se-maw, pl. g. Mother, O-gaw-shi-maw, pl. g.
Brother, We-kaw-ne-se-maw. Sister, O-me-say-e-maw.
Grandfather, O-me-shaw-mes-e-maw. Grandmother, O-ko-mes-se-maw.
Cousin, male, We-taw-wis-e-maw. Cousin, female, We-ne-mo-shay-e-maw.
Uncle, O-me-shaw-may-e-maw. Aunt, O-nou-shay-e-maw.
Boy, Que-we-zayns, pl. og. Girl, Quay-zayns, pl. og.
Man, Au-ne-ne, pl. wog. Woman, Au-quay, pl. wog.
Old man, Au-ke-wa-ze, pl. yog. Old woman, Me-de-mo-yay, pl. yog.
Ae, yes. Kau, no. Nau-go, now.
Ka-ge-te, truly so. Kau-win, no (emphatic). Au-zhon-daw, here.
Pe-nau! hark! Ka-go, don't. E-wo-te, there.
Pa-kau, stop. Kaw-ga-go, none. Ne-gon, before.
Aush-kwe-yong, behind. Ne-se-wo-yaw-ing, between.
Pe-tchi-naw-go, yesterday. Wau-bung, to-morrow.
Pe-tchi-nog, just now. Wau-e-baw, soon.
Au-no-maw-yaw, lately. Way-wib, quickly.
Au-gaw-won, hardly. Naw-a-gotch, slowly.
Au-pe-tchi, very. O-je-daw, purposely.
Kay-gaw, almost. Saw-kou, for example.
Mou-zhawg, always. Me-naw-gay-kaw! to be sure!
Ne-sawb, alike. Kaw-maw-me-daw, can't.
Pin-dig, inside. Pin-di-gayn, come in.
We-yaw, The Body. Pe-nay-shen, Bird.
(Pl. yog)
O-dib, Head. Wing-ge-zee, Eagle.
O-te-gwan, Face. Pe-nay-se, Hawk.
O-don, Mouth. Mong, Loon.
Osh-ke-zheg, Eye. Me-zhe-say, Turkey.
O-no-wau-e, Cheek. She-sheb, Duck.
(P. og; others an.)
Otch-awsh, Nose. Kaw-yawshk, Gull.
O-daw-me-kon, Jaw. Tchin-dees, Bluejay.
O-da-naw-naw, Tongue. May-may, Woodcock.
We-bid, Tooth. Pe-nay, Partridge.
We-ne-zes, Hair. Au-dje-djawk, Crane.
O-kaw-tig, Forehead. O-me-me, Pigeon.
O-maw-maw, Eyebrow. Au-pe-tchi, Robin.
Kaw-gaw-ge, Palate. Awn-dayg, Crow.
(P. og; others an.)
O-kaw-gun, Neck. Au-nawk, Thrasher.
O-do-daw-gun, Throat. Paw-paw-say, Woodpecker.
O pe-kwawn, Back. Ke-wo-nee, Prairie hen.
O-pe-gay-gun, Rib. Maw-kwa, Bear.
O-me-gawt, Stomach. Mooz, Moose.
O-naw-gish, Bowel. Me-shay-wog, Elk.
Osh-kawt, Belly. Maw-in-gawn, Wolf.
O-kwan, Liver. Au-mick, Beaver.
O-kun, Bone. Maw-boos, Rabbit.
O-nenj, Hand. Pe-zhen, Lynx.
O-neek, Arm. Au-ni-moosh, Dog.
O-dos-kwon, Elbow. Au-ni-mouns, Puppy.
O-kawd, Leg. Au-zhawshk, Muskrat.
O-ge-dig, Knee. Wau-goosh, Fox.
(P. og; others an.)
O bwom, Thigh. Shaw-gway-she, Mink.
O-zeet, Foot. A-se-bou, Raccoon.
O-don-dim, Heel. Me-she-be-zhe, Panther.
(eg; others wog, og, g.)
O-ge-tchi-zeet, Big toe. She-gos-se, Weasel.
O-ge-tchi-nenj, Thumb. Au-saw-naw-go, Squirrel.
Ke-gon, Fish. Maw-ne-tons, insect.
(Pl. yog)
Ke-gons (dim.), minnow. O-jee, house fly.
(Pl. sog)
Naw-me-gons, trout. Me-ze-zawk, horse fly.
Maw-zhaw-me-gons, brook trout. Au-mon, bumblebee.
Maw-may, sturgeon. Au-moans (dim.), bee, hornet.
O-gaw, pickerel. May-may-gwan, butterfly.
(Pl. yog)
She-gwaw-meg, dog fish. Au-kou-jeah, louse.
Au-saw-way, perch. Paw-big, flea.
O-kay-yaw-wis, herring. O-ze-gog, woodtick.
Au-she-gun, black bass. A-naw-go, ant.
Au-de-kaw-meg, whitefish. A-a-big, spider.
Ke-no-zhay, pike. Saw-ge-may, mosquito.
Paw-zhe-toua, sheep head. Mo-say, cut worm.
(Pl. yog)
Maw-maw-bin, sucker. O-quay, maggot.
Paw-gawn, nut; (dim. paw-gaw-nays, hazelnut or other small nut)
Au-zhaw-way-mish, pl. eg; beech tree.
Au-zhaw-way-min, pl. on; beech nut.
Me-te-gwaw-bawk, pl. og; hickory tree.
Me-gwaw-baw-ko paw-gon, pl. on; hickory nut.
Paw-gaw-naw-ko paw-gon, pl. on; walnut.
Me-she-me-naw-gaw-wosh, pl. eg; apple tree.
Me-she-min, pl. og; apple.
Shaw-bo-me-naw-gaw-wosh, pl. eg; gooseberry bush.
Shaw-bo-min, pl. og; gooseberry.
Paw-gay-saw-ne-mish, pl. eg; plum tree.
Paw-gay-son, pl. og; plum.
Aw-nib, pl. eg; elm. Aw-doup, pl. eg; willow.
Shin-gwawk, pl. wog; pine. Ke-zhek, pl. og; cedar.
Au-bo-yawk, pl. wog; ash. We-aaw-gawk, pl. og; black ash.
Me-daw-min, pl. og; corn. O-zaw-o-min, pl. og; yellow corn.
Mis-kou-min, pl. og; red raspberry.
Wau-be-mis-kou-min, pl. og; white raspberry.
Wau-kaw-tay-mis-kou-min, pl. eg; black raspberry.
AU-KEE; the world, the earth, land, country, soil.
Pay-maw-te-se-jeg au-king, the people of the world.
Taw-naw-ke-win, country or native land.
Ke-taw-kee-me-naw, our country.
Maw-kaw-te au-kee, black earth or soil.
Me-daw-keem, my land.
Au-ke-won, soiled; also applied to rich land.
Ne-besh, water; ne-be-kaw, wet land.
Wau-bawsh-ko-kee, marsh land.
An-ke-kaw-daw-go-kee, tamarack swamp.
Ke-zhe-ke-kee, cedar swamp.
Au-tay yaw-ko-kee, swamp, swampy land.
Shen-gwaw-ko-kee, pine land.
Ne-gaw-we-kee, sand; ne-gaw-we-kaw, sandy.
Kong-ke-tchi-gaw-me, the ocean.
Ke-tchi-au-gaw-ming, across the ocean.
Se-be (pl. won), river; se-be-wens (dim). (pl. an.) brook.
Ke-te-gawn (pl. on), farm; ke-te-gaw-nes (dim.), garden.
Ke-te-gay we-ne-ne, (pl. wog), farmer.
Ke-zes, sun; te-bik-ke-zes, moon; au-nong (pl. wog), star.
Ke-zhe-gut, day; te-be-kut, night.
Ne-bin, summer; pe-boon, winter.
Ne-be-nong, last summer; me-no-pe-boon, pleasant winter.
Tau-gwan-gee, fall; me-nou-kaw-me, spring.
Au-won-se-me-nou-kaw-ming, year ago last spring.
Maw-tchi taw-gwan-ge, bad or unpleasant fall.
No-din, wind; no-wau-yaw, the air.
No-de-naw-ne-mot, windy.
To-ke-sin, calm; ne-tche-wod, stormy.
Au-pe-tchi ne-tche-wod, very stormy.
Wig-wom, house; wig-wom-an, houses.
Au-sin wig-worn, stone house.
Au-naw-me-a-we-gaw-mig, a church.
Te-baw-ko-we-ga we-gaw-mig, a court house.
Me-no-say, handy. Me-no-sayg, that which is handy.
Au-no-ke, work. A-no-ket, he that is working.
Wo-be, he sees. Wau-yaw-bet, he that sees.
Pe-mo-say, he walks. Pe-mo-sayt, he that is walking.
Pe-me-bot-to, he runs. Pe-me-bot-tot, he that runs.
Get him, nawzh. Get it, naw-din.
Help him, naw-daw-maw. Help it, naw-daw-maw-don.
Call him, naw-doum. Ask for it, naw-don-don.
Go to him, naw-zhe-kow. Go to it, naw-zhe-kon.
Meet him, naw-kwesh-kow. Meet it, naw-kwesh-kon.
Ne-dje-mon, my boat. Ne-dje-may, I paddle.
Ne-dje-bawm, my soul. Ne-do-ge-mom, my master.
Ne-gwes, my son. Ne-daw-nes, my daughter.
Ne-taw-wes, my cousin. Ne-kaw-nes, my brother.
Ne-daw-kim, my land. Ne-ne-tehaw-nes, my child.
He sleeps, ne-baw. He is dead, ne-bou.
He is sleepy, au-kon-gwa-she. He died, ke-ne-bou.
He is white, wau-besh-ke-zee. He is afraid, sa-ge-ze.
He is lonely, aush-ken-dom. He is lazy, ke-te-mesk-ke.
He is killed, nes-saw. He is well, me-no-pe-maw-de-ze.
Ne-tawn, first. Ne-tawn ke-taw-gwe-shin, he came first.
Ne-gon, before. Ne-gon-ne, he goes before.
Au-ko-zee, sick. Au-ko-zi-we-gaw-mig, hospital.
Au-gaw-saw, small. O-gaw-sawg o-naw-gun pe-ton, bring small
Au-gaw-won, scarcely. Au-gaw-won ne-wob, I scarcely see.
Once, ne-go-ting. Only once, ne-go-ting a-taw.
Not there, ne-go-tchi. Look elsewhere, ne-go-tchi ne-naw-bin.
Change, mesh-kwot. He is elsewhere, ne-go-tchi e-zhaw.
Full, mosh-ken. It is elsewhere, ne-go-tchi au-tay.
Fill it, mosh-ke-naw-don. Change it, mes-kwo-to-non.
Saw-kon, go out. Pe-saw-kon, come out.
Maw-tchawn, go away. Pe-maw-tchawn, come away.
Pe-to, to bring. Pe-ton, fetch it.
Ash-kom, more and more. Nos, my father.
Ash-kom so-ge-po, more and more snow. Kos, your father.
Ash-kom ke-me-wau, more and more rain. O-sawn, his father.
Ash-kom ke-zhaw-tay, hotter and hotter. Ne-gaw-she, my mother.
Ash-kom ke-se-naw, colder and colder. Ke-gaw-she, your mother.
E-ke-to, saying. E-ke-ton, say it.
E-ke-to, he says. Ke-e-ke-to, he said.
Kay-go mon-daw e-ke-to-kay, do not say that.
E-wau, he says [the same as e-ke-to, but used only in third person and
cannot be conjugated].
E-naw-bin, look; e-naw-bin au-zhon-daw, look here.
A-zhawd, going; au-ne-pe a-zhawd? where did he go?
E-wo-te, there; me-saw e-wo-te au-daw-yon, there is your home.
Au-zhe-me, there; au-zhe-me au-ton, set it there.
Au-ne-me-kee, thunder; au-ne-me-ke-kaw, it thundered.
Awsh-kon-tay, fire; awsh-kon-tay o-zhe-ton, make some fire.
On-je-gaw, leaked; on-je-gaw tchi-mon, the boat leaked.
Kaw-ke-naw, all; kaw-ke-naw ke-ge-way-wog, all gone home.
Ke-wen, go home. [This verb always implies home, but the emphatic
expression is ke-wen en-daw-yawn.]
Son-gon (inanimate), son-ge-ze (animate), tough.
Se-gwan, spring; se-gwa-nong, last spring (Chippewa dialect).
Me-gwetch, thanks; me-gwe-tchi-me-au, he is thanked.
Taw-kwo, short; on-sawm taw-kwo, too short.
Ke-me-no-pe-maw-tis naw? Are you well?
Ae, ne-me-no-pe-maw-tis. Yes, I am well.
Ke-taw-kos naw? Are you sick?
Kau-win ne-taw-ko-si-sy. No, I am not sick.
Au-ne-pish kos e-zhat? Where did your father go?
O-day-naw-wing ezhaw. He is gone to town.
Ke-ge-we-sin naw? Have you eaten?
Ae, ne-ge-aush-kwaw-we-sin. Yes, I have done eating.
Ke-baw-kaw-tay naw? Are you hungry?
Kaw-win, ne-baw-kaw-tay-sy. No, I am not hungry.
Pe-mo-say-win, walking (noun); ne-pe-mo-say, I walk.
Aum-bay paw-baw-mo-say-taw, let us go walking.
Ne-ge-paw-baw-mo-say, I have been walking.
Ne-ge-paw-baw-mish-kaw, I have been boat riding.
Aum-bay paw-baw-mish-kaw-daw, let us go boat riding.
Maw-tchawn, go on, or go away.
Maw-tchawn we-wib, go on quickly.
Ke-maw-tchaw-wog, they have gone.
Aum-bay maw-tchaw-taw, let us go.
Wan-saw e-zhaw, he is gone far away.
We-kau-de-win, a feast; we-koum, I invite him (to a feast).
We-kau-maw-wog, they are invited (to a feast).
Maw-zhe-aw, overpowered; maw-zhe-twaw, victorious.
Mou-dje-ge-ze-win, or, me-naw-wo-ze-win, rejoicing.
Mou-dje-ge-ze, or, me-naw-wo-ze, he rejoices.
Au-no-maw-yaw ke-daw-gwe-shin, he came lately.
Au-pe-tchi ke-zhaw-tay, it is very hot
Ke-tchi no-din, it is blowing hard.
Paw-ze-gwin we-wib, get up quickly.
Me-no e-naw-kaw-me-got, good news.
Me-no e-naw-kaw-me-got naw? Is it good news?
She-kaw-gong ne-de-zhaw-me, we are going to Chicago.
She-kaw-gong on-je-baw, he came from Chicago
Saw-naw-got, difficult to overcome.
Saw-naw-ge-ze, he is in difficulty.
Saw-naw-ge-ze-wog, they are in difficulty.
Sa-ge-ze, he is frightened; sa-ge-ze-win, fright.
Ke-gus-kaw-naw-baw-gwe naw? Are you thirsty?
Au-pe-tchi ne-gus-kaw-naw-gwe. I am very thirsty.
Me-naw au-we, give him drink.
Ke-bish me-naw, give him water to drink.
O-daw-kim o-ge-au-taw-wen, he sold his land.
O-da paw-gaw-awn, the heart beats.
O-da me-tchaw-ne, he has a big heart
Ke-ne-se-to-tom naw? Do you understand?
Ke-ne-se-to-tow naw? Do you understand me?
Kau-win, ke-ne-se to-tos-no. No, I do not understand you.
Ke-no-dom naw? Do you hear? Ae, ne-no-doin. Yes, I hear.
Ke-pe-sen-dom naw? Do you listen?
Ke-maw-ne-say naw? Are you chopping?
Maw-tchi e-naw-kaw-me-got naw? Is it bad news?
We-go-nash wau-au-yaw mon? What do you want?
Au-nish au-pe-daw-taw-gwe-she non? When did you come?
Au-ne-pesh a-zhaw yon? Where are you going?
Au-ne-pesh wen-dje-baw yon? Where are you from?
Au-ne-dosh wau-e-ke-to yon? What shall you say?
Au-nish mon-daw e-naw-gen deg? What is the price?
Maw-ne-say, he chops; ma-ne-sayt, he that chops.
Ne-bwa-kaw, wise; ne-bwa-kawt, he that is wise.
Na-bwa-kaw-tchig, they that are wise.
Wa-zhe-tou-tchig awsh-kou-te, they that make fire.
O-zhe-tou aush-ko-tay pin-je ke-zhaw-be-ke-se-gun,
Make fire in the stove.
Wen-daw-mow way-naw-paw-nod au-zhon-daw,
Tell him the cheap place is here.
Wen-daw-mow e-naw-kaw-me-gok, tell him the news.
Taw-bes-kaw-be. Taw-be-e-shaw au-zhon-daw.
He will come back. He will come here.
On-je-baw. Wow-kwing on-je-baw.
Coming from. He comes from heaven.
Nau-go, now; nau-go a-ge-zhe-gok, to-day.
Te-besh-kou, same, even; ta-te-besh-kon, even with the other.
To-dawn mon-daw e-ne-taw, do that as I tell you.
Pe-sen-dow, listen to him; pe-sen-do-we-shin, listen to me.
Me-saw-wett-dje-gay. Me-saw-me-dje-gay-win.
He covets. Coveting.
E-zhaw-yon gaw-ya ne-ne-gaw e-zhaw.
If you will go and also I will go.
O-je-daw ne-ge-to-tem tchi-baw-ping.
Purposely I did it to make laughter.
Kaw-win ke-taw-gawsh-ke-to-se tchi-gaw-ke-so-taw-wod mau-ni-to,
you cannot hide from God.
Maw-no-a-na-dong taw-e-zhe-tchi-gay, let him do what he thinks.
A-naw-bid. E-naw-bin a-naw-bid.
In the way he looks. Do look in the way he looks.
Au-nish a-zhe-wa-bawk mon-daw?
What is the matter with that?
Au-nish a-zhe-we-be-sit au-we?
What is the matter with him?
Au-nish a-naw-tchi-moo-tawk?
What did he tell you?
E-zhaw. Au-ne-pish kaw-e-zhawd?
He went. Where did he go?
E-zhaw-wog. Harbor Springs ke-e-zhaw-wog.
They went. They went to Harbor Springs.
Ne-daw-yaw-naw e-naw-ko-ne-ga-win.
We have a rule, or, a law.
O-we-o-kwon o-ge-au-taw-son.
His hat he pawned.
Ne-be-me-baw-to-naw-baw au-pe pen-ge-she-naw.
I was running when I fell.
NOTE.--Except some condensation and arrangement in the grammar, this
work is printed almost verbatim as written by the author.--EDITOR.