Mi'kmaq Language Index

We frequently hold discussions in Mi'kmaqChat relating to various topics

This is the Mi'kmaw writing system often called the Pacifique style (orthography) because it was developed by Father Pacifique around the turn of the last century. There are currently 5 or 6 different writing styles floating around which are used to spell in Mi'kmaq. I have opted to use the Mi'kmawe writing style called Francis / Smith orthography because I find it easier to use. Albert D. DeBlois and Alphonse Metallic in Restigouche (Listuguj) came up with a Micmac Lexicon published by National Museum of Man in Ottawa back in 1984, and they use 22 symbols (21 letters and 1 apostrophe to denote the long vowel sound). Other attempts were made early on, by missionaries such as Christien LeClercq, Silas Rand, and others (Pierre Maillard) at establishing a writing style that would be adopted by all. To date, just about each district in Mi'kma'ki uses a different orthography (writing style).

Father Pacifique's 13-letter writing style
a e g i tj l m n o ô p s t
Letter ......... Sound ......... Explaination ......... Example
A ......... aw ......... sounds like ~ strAW ......... api (bow) ~ aw_b_ee
E ......... eh ......... sounds like ~ bEth .......... ninen (us ~ more than 2 people) ~ n_ee_nen
G ....... g or k ....... sounds like ~ biG .......... asogôm (six) ~ aw_s_oo_g_oh_m
I ......... ee ......... sounds like ~ sEEn ......... ginap (wizard) ~ g_ee_n_aw_p
Tj ......... ch ......... sounds like ~ CHow ......... Tjitôp (nick name) ~ ch_ee_d_oh_b
L ......... l .......... sounds like ~ beLL ......... lentog (deer) ~ l_eh_n_t_oo_g
M ......... m .......... sounds like ~ saM .......... môgoa (no) ~ m_oh_k_oo_a
N ......... n .......... sounds like ~ maN .......... neot (one) ~ n_eh_oo_t
O ......... oo ......... sounds like ~ loon ......... gitpo (eagle) ~ g_ee_t_p_oo
Ô ......... oh ......... sounds like ~ stOve ........ mapos (pocket) ~ m_aw_p_oh_s
P ....... p or b ....... sounds like ~ skiP ......... plaoetj (partridge) ~ b_l_aw_oo_eh_ch
S ......... s .......... sounds like ~ waS .......... samgoan (water) ~ s_aw_m_g_oo_aw_n
T ....... t or d ........ sounds like ~ louD ......... nitap (my friend) ~ n_ee_d_aw_p

CLICK HERE FOR MORE LINKS

K.Sorbey from Listuguj told me
"We are not like other people. For the simple reason. WE ARE NOT FOREIGNERS TO THIS LAND. Others can go back to their countries and re-learn their languages. Mi'kmaq is born here, and if not kept up it can die here. We have nowhere to turn to learn, but amongst ourselves. So help and learn and keep our Nation alive."

Francis/Smith Orthography Me' Taleiyaskig Nitap

Father Pacifique Orthography Mee Taleiasgig Nitap

DeBlois/Metallic Orthography Me Taleiasgig Nitap

As you can see, there is little differnce
"How they treating you my friend ?"

(if you could not hear the AUDIO portion of this web-page, you might need to download the REALPLAYER )

Providing helpful LINKS is like blazing a trail for others to follow.
SUBMIT A LINK Click Here, and make it easier for others to find what they are looking for.

TJ's Web-Site Navigation Panel

Just click on the site you want to see.

PLEASE SIGN MY GUEST-BOOK

Do a search on Mi'kmaq

Power Search for:

Francis/Smith Orthography	Me' Taleiyaskig Nitap
Father Pacifique Orthography	Mee Taleiasgig Nitap
DeBlois/Metallic Orthography	Me Taleiasgig Nitap