Cree Literacy Network

Chapter One Making Introductions – Two Dialogues and Vocabulary from Solomon Ratt

A: tânisi.	A: Hello, how are you.
B: namôya nânitaw. kiya mâka.	B: Fine. How about you?
A: pêyakwan. Solomon nitisiyihkâson. kiya mâka, tânisi kitisiyihkâson ?	A: The same. My name is Solomon. How about you, what’s your name?
B: George nitisiyihkâson.	B: My name is George.
A: kayahtê âmaciwîspimowinihk ohci niya. kiya mâka, tânitê ohci kiya kayahtê?	A: I am from Stanley Mission originally. How about you, where are you from originally?
B: oskana kâ-asastêki ohci niya, êkota mina mêkwâc niwîkin. kiya mâka, tânitê mêkwâc kiwîkin?	B: I am from Regina, I also live there now. How about you, where do you live now?
A: oskana kâ-asastêki mêkwâc nîsta niwîkin. okiskinwahamâkêw niya, kiya mâka, okiskinwahamâkêw cî kîsta?	A: I live in Regina now too. I am a teacher, how about you, are you a teacher too?
B: namôya, okiskinwahamâkan niya!	B: No, I am a student!

tânisi? Hello, how are you?	ninêstosin. I am tired.
tânisi kitisiyihkâson What is your name?	pînciman nitisiyihkâson. My name is Benjamin.
tânitahtopiponêyan? How old are you?	nîstanaw nikotwâsosâp nititahtopiponân. I am 26 years old.
tânitê ohci kiya kayahtê? Where are you from originally?	kistapinânihk ohci niya kayahtê. I am originally from Prince Albert.
tânitê kikî-nihtâwîkin?Where were you born?	kistapinânihk nikî-nihtâwîkin. I was born in Prince Albert.
tânisi kî-ihkin kâ-kî-nihtâwîkiyan? What season were you born in?	kî-pipon. It was winter
tânitê kikî-pê-ohpikin? Where were you raised?	kistapinânihk nikî-pê-ohpikin. I came to be raised in Prince Albert.
tânitê kikî-pê-kiskinwahamâkosin? Where did you go to school?	mînisihk nikî-pê-kiskinwahamâkosin. I went to school in Saskatoon.
tânitê mêkwâc kiwîkin? Where do you live now?	oskana kâ-asastêki mêkwâc niwîkin. I live in Regina now.
nîpin cî mêkwâc? Is it summer now?	namôya, pipon. No, it is fall.