Narragansett Phrases and Vocabulary
"In 1643, Roger Williams wrote A Key into the Language of America. It is an anthropological study of 17th century American Indian culture, a phrase book of the Narragansett language, and a commentary on 17th American Indian life during the early colonial period." - NPS.org Lesson Plan on A Key into the Language of America
With assistance from Dawn Dove from the Tomaquag Museum, listen as we help you learn the proper pronunciation of key words and phrases from the Narragansett Indians' language as captured in Roger Williams's seminal book.
Greetings
| Neèn, Keèn, Ewò | I, you, he | |
| Asco wequássin | Good morrow (hello) | |
| Askuttaaquompsìn | How doe you? | |
| Asnpaumpmaûntam | I am very well | |
| Taubot paumpmaúntaman | I am glad you are well. | |
| Cowàmmaunsh | I love you |
Numbers
| Nquít | one | |
| Nneèsse | two | |
| Nìsh | three | |
| Yòh | four | |
| Napànna | five | |
| Qútta | six | |
| énada | seven | |
| Shwósuck | eight | |
| Paskúgit | nine | |
| Piùck | ten | |
| Nquit pâwsuck | 100 |
Family
| Nnìn | Man | |
| Wuskeène | A youth | |
| Wásick | Husband | |
| Weéwo | Wife | |
| Nòsh | My father | |
| Nókace, nitchwhaw | My mother | |
| Nippapoos | My child | |
| Muck quachuckquêmese | a little boy | |
| Squásese | a little girl | |
| Weémat | a brother | |
| Wéticks | a sister |
Environment
| Aûke | Earth or Land | |
| Níttauke | My Land | |
| Mihtúck–quash | Trees | |
| Wattáp | A root of trees | |
| Seíp | A river | |
| Takêkum | A spring | |
| Tataggoskìtuash | A fresh meadow | |
| Maskitituash | Grass or Hay |
Weather/Seasons
| Taúkocks | Cold weather | |
| Káusitteks | Hot weather | |
| Sókenun | Raine | |
| Tópu | A frost | |
| Sóchepo | Snow | |
| Aukeeteámitch | Spring, or Seed-time | |
| Quaqúsquan | Summer | |
| Taquònck | Fall of leafe and Autumne | |
| Papòne | Winter |
Food
| Wuttáhimneash | Strawberries | |
| Ewáchim – neash | Corne | |
| Ashaūnt-teaūg | Lobsters | |
| Opponenaūhock | Oysters | |
| Sickìssuog | Clams |
Respect
| Netompauog | Friends | |
| Keèn ka neen | You and I | |
| Miawêtuck | Let us meet. | |
| Téaquacumméich | What will you eat? | |
| Cuppítous | I understand you | |
| Coanâumwem | You speake true |
English words from Native American languages
| Moose | |
| Raccoon | |
| Bayou | |
| Caucus | |
| Chipmunk | |
| Eskimo | |
| Hickory | |
| Moccasin | |
| Muskrat | |
| Pecan | |
| Skunk | |
| Squash | |
| Tepee | |
| Toboggan | |
| Tomahawk | |
| Totem | |
| Woodchuck |