NORTHWEST INDIAN DIALECTS

The following examples of some of the local dialects was taken from the the book "Ten Years In Oregon" by Daniel Lee and Joseph Frost.

CHECALISH DIALECT


The Checalish Indians reside to the north of Cape Disappointment

I or me.........................Ants
You................................Nauah
He.................................Tesitnah
She................................Tesitnah
We.................................Oshatlchihlah
Ye or you..........................Alap
They...............................Tsadinta
Their chief diety..................Yeloput or Siloput
Man................................Steuh
Boy................................Stehoh
Woman..............................Skaiklehl
Girl...............................Skaiaklentl
Young woman........................Claledlintl
The human body.....................Paitstitsa
The head...........................Tematins
Hair...............................Klikwatens
Forehead...........................Taspotus
Ear................................Taqualant
Eye................................Tamose
Nose...............................Tamakas
Nostrils...........................Taslipahuks
Teeth..............................Tayidents
Tongue.............................Tahutsl
Eyebrows...........................Tasoenteen
Chin...............................Taskadlints
Neck...............................Tachisp
Throat.............................Silahome
Windpipe...........................Tahokehoke
Breast.............................Nawaiawhats
Heart..............................Squadlam
Shoulder...........................Hlakadinst
Arm................................Tashohemitsens
Elbow..............................Matsa
Thumb..............................Nawohatse
First finger.......................Ahost
Second finger......................Anesonowaitsa
Third finger.......................Ahitsoho
Fourth finger......................Tsohonu
Thigh..............................Tsaispitsa
Knee...............................Taadnst
Leg................................Tsotls
Ankle..............................Mahamahas
Foot...............................Stallash
Fire...............................Machipe
Make a fire........................Pokochipe
Put out the fire...................Kwiakee
Come in the house..................Eselotstowatl
Cold...............................Cleloh
Warm...............................Whadlah
Rain...............................Stolts
Snow...............................Slahkok
Ice................................Sthoua
House..............................Hash
Horse..............................Stekeu
Buffalo............................Chuyewhalak
Dog................................Kahhah
Potatoes...........................Tenneemas
Bat or flying mouse................Patouksenitsa
Racoon.............................Kwalas
Musket.............................Tecletsenups
Knife..............................Chano
Fork...............................Sitssitstle
Powder horn........................Suchadlink

 

 


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