Language Samples, Arikara, Assiniboine, Blackfoot, Cheyenne, Cree, Crow, Yanktonai, Salish, Gros Ventre, Hidatasa, Kansa, Kootenai, Mandan, Ojibwe, Omaha, Osage, Otoe, Ponca
[1. Samples of Some American Indian Languages]
[The Arikara, Crow, and Hidatsa language samples were recorded by Maximilian in the addenda to this volume, on manuscript pages 310 and 312. All other language samples have been duplicated here from earlier text pages (given at the beginning of each sample in brackets, e.g., [from 2:146]). The language sample tables have been alphabetically ordered by tribal name for convenience. The second column in each language sample gives Maximilian’s journal recording of a particular Native word. The third column gives his Reise version of that form if there are significant differences; differences in syllable capitalization or the addition or deletion of a single accent have not been considered significant unless a linguist has stated that these are important. Modern orthography and glosses, where known, are given in column four. When a modern gloss is identical to Maximilian’s, it has not been repeated.]
Samples of the Arikara Language
| Words | Arikara | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Arm | Uíhnu (‘Uíh’ very long, ‘nu’ very short and soft) | wiínu’ | ||
| Arrow | Níhschu (‘Níh’ strongly stressed, ‘schu’ very short with falling intonation) | niíšu’ | ||
| Bow | Náhtsch (‘sch’ soft, and sibilant) | tinaátš | ||
| Child | Pihráu (‘Pih’ long, ‘r’ apical, ‘ráu’ together and stressed) | piirá’u’ ‘baby’ | The word in this form, piirá’u’, suggests a younger child, a “baby”. In the modern language, a different form, piirátš, is used for child in general | |
| Earth | Honáhnin (‘náh’ very long, everything as in German) | hunaaníni’ (loc.) | This form, hunaaníni’, means roughly–depending on context–“on the earth”. Another form of the word, hunaánu', might be used to refer to earth (land, soil) itself | |
| Eye | Tschiríhko (‘ko’ short and soft) | čiriíku’ | ||
| Fire | Ha-níh-tu (‘Ha’ short, ‘tu’ barely audible) | haahniítu’ ‘burning coal, live coal, ember’ | This is the word for a burning coal. Fire itself would be čeeká'u' | |
| God | Pachkatsch (‘ch’ velar) | pAhkátš ‘Kit Fox’ (a mythological figure) | This word refers to a “kit fox”, and is the name of a figure from stories (captured in Pawnee stories–less so in modern Arikara. “God” is typically nowadays refered to as atí'Ax tⁱnačitákUx | |
| Hair | Úhchu (‘Úh’ back vowel, ‘ch’ velar, final ‘u’ very short) | uúxu’ | ||
| Hand | Éschu | íšu’ | ||
| Head | Páchu (‘ch’ velar) | páxu’ | ||
| Man | Uíhta (‘Uí’ indistinct, almost ‘Wi,’ ‘Uíh’ very long, ‘ta’ very soft and short) | wiítA | ||
| Moon | Pá | páh | ||
| Mouth | Hahkáu (‘káu’ together and stressed) | haaká’u’ | ||
| Pipe | Nauschkatsch (entirely as in German) | hAhnaaWIškáhtš var. haahnaaWIškahtš | Alternative pronunciations are NAhnaaWIškáhtš and haahnaaWIškáhtš | |
| Star | Sakkáh | sákaa’A | ||
| Sun | Schakúhn | šakuúnu’ | ||
| Tomahawk | Katarax-nauschkatsch (as in German) | kaatarátš hAhnaaaWIškáhtš ‘axe pipe’ | kaataráts hAhnaaWiškáhtš, Maximilian writes the first word with “x”, perhaps representing what he heard as “ks”, a sound combination not obviously present in this interpretation. I might therefore suggest changing Douglas Parks’s transcription from kaatarátš to the slightly different kaataráts | |
| Water | Stóhcho (‘St’ apical, ‘ch’ velar, ‘cho’ very short) | tstoóxu’ | ||
| Woman | Sapá | sápat |
Names of Places and Geographical Features
| Words | Arikara | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| (Arikara) village | Sånisch-Etuhn | sáhniš-ituúnu’ or sahNIšituúnu’ ‘People/Arikara Village’ | ||
| Arikara village, southern | Hóhka-wiratt or Achtárahä | Hóhka-Wirátt | huukaawirát ‘Eastern’; AxtáRAhi ‘Concave Base’ or ‘Notched Foot’ | |
| Arikara village, northern | Nahokáhta | Nahokáta | NAhuukaátA ‘By the Water’ | |
| Bad River | Sih-sawíh-tiï (Standing Water) | čiisawiitií’It ‘Still Water’ | ||
| Beaver Creek | Zitech-Saháhn (‘Zi’ as in German, ‘ech’ velar like ‘uch,’ very short) | čítUx sAhaánu’ | čítUx hUsAhaánu’ Maximilian’s transcription suggests “beaver” was pronounced tsítUx, which could represent a dialect distinct from what’s reflected in the modern language where it’s pronounced čítUx | |
| Bighorn River | Arikúss-okaháhn | arikúsu’ huukaahaánu’ | ||
| Blind Buffalo Creek | Okoss-tírikaruch (‘ruch’ German) | hukós tičirikarúx ‘a buffalo bull is blind’ | hukosčirikarúx Douglas Parks represents this as a two word name hukós tičirikarúx “the bull is blind”. Maximilian’s spelling seems to suggest a compound “blind bull” | |
| Butte au Grès | Skatararisch | Skatarárisch | skataRAhíRIš ‘pumice’ | |
| Cannonball River | Nonatsch-Tirahnehuh-Osähneni (River of Many Antelope) | NAhnunaáhtš tiraaNIhuú’U hUsAhaahnini’ ‘many deer are by the creek’ | NAhnunáhtš tiraaNIhuú’U hUsAhaáhnini’ | |
| Cheyenne Hills | Uatolkaak, la Butte de Cheyenne | Uatolkáhk | ? | waatookaákUx Uncertain interpretation: sitting on a sloping hill |
| Grand River | Sáchkan-waháhn-áhji (‘ach’ velar, ‘an’ barely audible) | saxkaWAhaanu’ ‘Lucky Turtle’? | Another mixed language representation? Maximilian’s áhji found also in Hidatsa names of Rivers, reflecting Hidatsa áàshi. Dubious of Douglas Parks’s interpretation of saxkaWAhaánu’ “Lucky Turtle”. Another possible interpretation is sahkaWIhaánu', referring to an “echo” | |
| Heart River | Tostschiita | Tostschíta | tUtsčítA ‘it is a river branch’ | |
| Knife River | Ésitsch-Kaháhn | neesihUsAhaánu’ or neesítš huukaahaánu’ ‘Knife Creek’ | neesitšUsAhaánu’ | |
| Little Bighorn River | Ariksúh-kaháh-schiripáss | arikúsu’ huukaahaahčiripásIt | ||
| Little Missouri River | Ohkaháh-tschiripass | huukaahaahčiripásIt ‘little tributary of the Missouri’ | ||
| Little Muddy River | Hohrutschitt (entirely as in German, ‘r’ tongue-trilled) | hoorutsčítA ‘Muddy Fork’ | hooRUtsčítA | |
| Missouri River | Swahrúchti (‘ch’ velar), “medicine water,” or Hokaháh-nin | Swarúchti | tswaarúxti’ ‘Holy Water’ or huukaahaahníni’ ‘River; River Trench’ | |
| Moreau River | Kadih-kahitt | karikaátit ‘Black Patch’ (as in wild grapes) | Douglas Parks interprets this as “black patch”, based on a root kari, which is no longer used in Arikara–and is pronounced kani where it is attested. This pronunciation would otherwise seem like it would mean “black liver” | |
| Musselshell River | Skápedoch-saháhn (‘e’ half [=ə]) | skaapiróx sAhaánu’ | skaapiróx hUsAhaánu’ | |
| Powder River | Kanáchtu-suhukaháhn (‘ách’ velar, otherwise as in German) | ItkaNAhtuúsu’ huukaahaánu’ ‘Powder/Ashes River’ | ||
| Rampart Island | Rampart-Auahk (‘A’ and ‘u’ separate, Auahk [=] “island”) | awaahákUx ‘Island’ | Rampart nawaahákUx | |
| Rampart River | Laráh-páhwi | naRAhpaáWI ‘Plant Growth’ (along the river) | Douglas Parks suggests the Arikara name means “plant growth”. However, the name may mean “ramparts, palisades”, although the modern pronunciation I would expect to be naRAhwaáWI | |
| Tongue River | Hatúhu-kaháhn | haátu’ huukaahaánu’ | ||
| White Earth River | Horúss-tuhusseháhn (‘e’ half [=ə] entirely as in German) | hoorutsAhaánu’ ‘Mud River’ | hooRUtsUsAhaánu’ | |
| White River | Hokahach-kúss (‘ach’ velar, ‘kúss’ stressed) | huukaahaahkúsu’ ‘Large River’ | ||
| Yellowstone River | Wáh-hukaháhn | waahuukaahaánu’ ‘Yellow Stone River’ |
Samples of the Assiniboine Language
| Words | Assiniboine | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Arm | Nistó | wiínu’ | ||
| Arrow | Uahíntepä (‘e’ half [=ə], ‘pä’ short) | wahį́kpe | ||
| Bow | Ntásipa (‘a’ barely audible) | įtázipa | ||
| Calumet, or peace pipe | Janúpa-Ajutum (‘j’ as in French) | cʿąnúpa ‘pipe’ | ||
| Child | Hokschinn | hokšína | ||
| Dice game | Uasihkutä́ | wazíkhute ‘pine shooter’ | ||
| Child | Hokschinn | hokšína | ||
| Earth | Manká (‘Man’ like ‘Mang’ in German) | mąkʿá | ||
| Eye | Nischtá | įštá | ||
| Fire | Pähte (‘e’ barely audible) | pʿéta | ||
| God | Uakán-tang-e (‘an’ as in French, ‘e’ half [=ə]) | Wakʿą́-tʿą́ka ‘Great Spirit’ | ||
| Hair | Pahá | pʿahá | ||
| Hand | Nampä́ | nąpé | ||
| Head | Pah | pʿá | ||
| Hoop game | Tschómbino | ecʿų́pina ‘game’ [that one plays] | ||
| Man | Uïtschá (‘U’ and ‘ï’ separate) | wįcʿá | ||
| Moon | Hayétu-hiáye (‘e’ half [=ə]) | hąyétu hiyáye ‘night passes by’ | ||
| Mouth | Ih | í | ||
| Pipe | Tschanúhupa (‘hupa’ short and soft) | cʿąnúpa | ||
| Rattle | Quakemuha | wakmúha | ||
| Star | Uitschachpe (‘ch’ velar, ‘e’ half [=ə]) | wįcʿáȟ̌pi | ||
| Sun | Hanuï (‘an’ as in French, ‘u’ and ‘ï’ separate) | hąwí | ||
| Tomahawk | Tchanúpa-tschachpä | cʿąnúpa cʾąȟ̌pí ‘pipe tomahawk’ | ||
| Water | Menih | miní | ||
| Woman | Huína (‘Huí’ nasal, ‘na’ short) | Huïna | wį́yą |
Names of Places and Geographical Features
| Words | Assiniboine | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| White Earth River | Makahska | Makʿáska ‘White Earth’ |
Names of Bands
| Words | Assiniboine | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Gens des Bois | Tschántoga (‘an’ as in French, ‘o’ full quality, ‘ga’ short) | Cʿąȟ̌táda ‘Strong [?] Wood’ | ||
| Gens des Canots | Oatopabine (‘bine’ as [below]) | Watópʿapina ‘Little Paddlers’ | ||
| Gens des Filles | Itschíabine (‘ne’ short and barely audible, ‘bine’ almost like ‘bi’) | Wicʿį́capina ‘Girls’ | ||
| Gens du l’Age | Otópachgnato (‘ach’ and all the rest as in German); [also] Watópachnato | Watópʿaȟ̌natʿųwą ‘Paddlers between Villages’ | ||
| Gens des Montagnes | Chäbin (‘ch’ velar, ‘bin’ as in German) | Ȟépina ‘Mountain [People]’ | ||
| Gens des Osayes | Tanintaüi | Tʿanį́tʿapina ‘Buffalo Hip’ [?] or possibly Tʿąʾį́tʾapina ‘Dead Ones in Sight’ | ||
| Gens des Roches | Iatónabine (‘Ia’ as in German, ‘bine’ as above) | Į́yątʿųwąpina ‘Rock Villagers’ |
Names for Other Tribes
| Words | Assiniboine | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Blackfoot | Siha-Sapa | Sihá-sápa (‘Black Foot’) | ||
| Crow | Kanché-uïtschasche (‘ch’ velar, last ‘e’ half [=ə]) | Kʿąǧí-wįcʿášta ‘Crow Men/People’ |
Samples of the Blackfoot Language
| Words | Blackfoot | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Arm | Oh-tíss (‘í’ almost like ‘ü’) | o’tsís ‘his arm/hand’ | ||
| Arrow | Ápse (‘e’ full quality) | ápssi | ||
| Bow | Spikenn-ahmai (‘mai’ as in German, together) | sspikínaamayi ‘thick bow/gun’ | ||
| Child | Poh-ka (Sa-ku-mán-pö; ‘án’ as in French, ‘ö’ full quality—“a small boy”) | pookáá ‘child’ + saahkómaapi ‘child’ | ||
| Drum | Stohkimahtiss | isttókimaa’tsis | ||
| Earth | Ksáchkumm (‘ách’ velar as in German) | ksááhkomm | ||
| Eye | O-abs-pih (‘O-abs’ together, ‘abs’as in German) | oápsspi | ||
| Earth | Ksáchkumm (‘ách’ velar as in German) | ksááhkomm ‘his eye’ | ||
| Fire | Stih (‘St’ apical) | aisstssí ‘ashes’ | ||
| God | Is the sun; they bring it a kind of sacrifice | ksááhkomm | ||
| Hair | [——] | same as ‘head’ | ||
| Hand | Oh-ke-tíss (‘í’ almost like ‘ü’) | ookítsis ‘his finger’ | ||
| Head | Oh-tu-kuahn (‘kua’ together) | o’tokáán ‘his head/hair’ | ||
| Hand | Oh-ke-tíss (‘í’ almost like ‘ü’) | ookítsis ‘his finger’ | ||
| Man | Nahpe (‘e’ full quality) | náápi ‘old man’; also ‘trickster/creator’ | ||
| Moon | Natohs Kokui-éta-úawakah (‘ui’ together) | Kokui-étaúawakah | naató’si ko’kó(yi) itáwaawahkaaw ‘sun it moves/walks at night’ | |
| Mouth | Ma-å-ih (together) | maaóyi ‘his mouth’ | ||
| Pipe | Akuïnimahn (as in German) | aahkóyinnimaan | ||
| Rattle | Auanay (‘Aua’ separate) | awaanáí = awanáá(n) ‘rattle’ + -i (nonparticular) | ||
| Star | Kakatohs | kakató’si | ||
| Sun | Natohs or Nantohs (‘an’ as in French) | naató’si ‘sun/holy-powered one’ | ||
| Tomahawk | Kaksahkin (‘in’ as in German) | káksaakin ‘axe’ | ||
| Travois | Manesti (‘nes’ softly and without stress) | manistsí | ||
| Water | Ochkéh (‘Och’ velar as in German) | aohkíí | ||
| Woman | Ahké | aakíí |
Names of Places and Geographical Features
| Words | Blackfoot | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Bear[s] Paw Mountain | Kä́h-io-tiss (pronounced together) | Kiä́iu-Tiss | kiááyoo’tsis = kiááyo ‘bear’ + o’tsis ‘hand/arm’ | |
| Little Rocky Mountains | Makúie-Stöcki (‘i’ short) | makóyiistaki = makóyi (archaic) ‘wolf ’ + (m)iistak ‘mountain’ | ||
| Teton River | Unnehkiesisatt | onnikíísisahtaa = ónniki(s) ‘milk/breast’ + (n)iísisahtaa ‘river’ |
Names of Plants and Animals
| Words | Blackfoot | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Bighorn | Amach-kikina plural, Ámach-kikiná | Ámachkikinägs | kímahkihkinaa (sg.) ímahkihkinaiksi (pl.) | |
| Tobacco | Kócksinn | kákahsiin ‘kinnikinnick’ |
Names of Bands or Societies
| Words | Blackfoot | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| [Buffalo] Bulls (Gros Boeufs) | Stómick | Stámik | ||
| [Buffalo] Horns (Boeufs à corne fine) | Ehtskinná | Íítskinaiksi ‘horn society’ | ||
| Crow [or Raven] (Qui portent le Corbeau) | Mastöhpate (‘e’ half [=ə]) | Mai’stóóhpaatakiiksi = (m)ai’stóó ‘crow’ + ohpaataki ‘carry’ + iksi (anim. pl.) | ||
| Dogs (Chiens) | Emitähks | Imitáíksi | ||
| Mosquitos (Maringouins) | Sohskriss | Soyssksííksi ‘flies’ | ||
| Prairie Foxes (Chiens de prairie) | Sähnipähks | Sinopáíksi ‘swift foxes’ | ||
| Soldiers [or Catchers] (Soldats) | Innakehks | (Iy)ínnakiiksi ‘policemen’ |
Names for Other Tribes
| Words | Blackfoot | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Gros Ventres | Azäna | Atsíína | ||
| Kootenai | Kutanä | Kotonái |
Other Terminology
| Words | Blackfoot | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Scalp Dance | Auáhuakähs (‘Aua’ separate) | Auáh-Uakaehs | possibly from awááwahkaotsi = awaawahkaotsi ‘go on a raid/warpath’ (but the ending does not match) |
Samples of the Cheyenne Language
| Words | Cheyenne | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Arrow | Mah-hóss | maahotse | ||
| Bow | Máh-tachk | ma’tahke | Child | Kaichkúnn (‘ich’ velar) | ka’ėškone | Fire | Hoísta (‘o’ and ‘i’ somewhat separate, ‘ta’ short) | ho’esta | God | Okúhme (‘e’ half [=ə]) | o’kome | Head | Mihk (‘k’ with strong aspiration) | me’ko | Man | Itann | Itáu | etane | Pipe (Tobacco) | Hióchko (‘och’ velar, ‘ko’ almost like ‘ke’, ‘e’ half [=ə]) | he’ohko | Sun | Ischä́ | eše’he | Water | Má-pe (‘Má’ nasal, ‘pe’ short, ‘e’ full quality, both syllables short) | mahpe | Woman | Hi-íh-u (together) | he’eo’o ‘women’ (pl.) |
Samples of the Cree Language
| Words | Cree | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Arm | Ospeton | Ospetonn | ospiton ‘(his) arm’ | Arrow | Atuss | atos | Bow | Adsabí (‘Adsa’ soft) | ahca·piy | Child | Auáhsis (‘sis’ short and soft) | awa·sis | Earth | Askí | askiy | Eye | Oskíhsick | oski·sik ‘(his) eye’ | Fire | Skuttehu (‘u’ barely audible) | iskote·w | Game, hoop | Testepihnatoh-etatt | tihtipinatowe· – or diminutive cihcipinatowe·– (plus unidentified suffix ‘-tatt’) | Game, dish | Oyahkanick-metoh-etack | oya·kanihk me∙tawe∙ (plus unidentified suffix tack) ‘play in a dish’ | God | Keseh-mann-tóh (second ‘e’ short) | Keseh-manntóh (first ‘e’ short) | Kise·-manito·w (lit. ‘the compassionate God’) | Hair | Uästöchaiah (somewhat indistinctly) | we·stakay(a) ‘(his) hair’ | Fire | Skuttehu (‘u’ barely audible) | iskote·w | Hand | Otsä-tschih | ocihciy ‘(his) hand’ | Head | Ustekuaan (‘Us’ very short) | Ustekuáhn ostikwa·n ‘(his) head’ | Man | Hiyenú | iyiniw ‘person, Indian’ | Moon | Tepiskao-pisimm (‘o’ barely audible: “night sun”) | tipiska·wi-pi·sim | Mouth | Otoon | Otóhn | oto·n ‘(his) mouth’ | Pipe | Spoagánn (soft) | ospwa·kan | Rattle | Schischikuen | Schischikuè si·si·kwan | Star | Atsah-kossack (short, together) | aca·hkos(ak) (-ak is the plural suffix) | Sun | Pisimm | pi·sim ‘sun, moon, month’ | Tomahawk | Tschiga-hika-spoagánn | probably ci·kahikanispwa·kan ‘axe-handled pipe’ | Water | Nipí | nipiy | Woman | Iskwä́u (‘ä’ and ‘u’ separate, ‘u’ softly pronounced) | iskwe·w |
Names for Other Tribes/Groups
| Words | Cree | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Assiniboine | Assinipoatak | Asini·pwa·t(ak) |
Samples of the Crow (Corbeaux) Language
| Words | Crow | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Arm | Áhdä | áale | ||
| Arrow | Annúhtä | alúute | ||
| Bow | Mannáchi-iahsä (‘iahsä’ equally stressed with somewhat falling intonation) | baláxiiišše ‘bow case, scabbard’ = baláxxiia ‘bow, weapon’ + išše ‘case, container’ | ||
| Child | Wah-káh-tä (together) | baakáate | ||
| Earth | Amä́ | awé | ||
| Eye | Ischtä́ | išté | Fire | Biddä́ (short) | bilée | God | Búattä (‘ú’ and ‘a’ separate, ‘tä’ short with falling intonation) | búattee | Hand | Ischsä́ | iščé | Head | Ánschua (‘Án’ as in French, ‘schu’ and ‘a’ separate, ‘a’ short) | aašúua | Hair | Ischtä́ | iššíia | Man | Matsä́ | bačeé | Moon | Minitásia (‘sia’ short and soft, ‘i’ and ‘a’ only slightly separate) | bilítaačia | Mouth | Íh-a (together, ‘a’ very short and half pronounced) | íia | Pipe | Íïmpsä (stress on ‘Í’ and ‘ï’ separate) | íipče | Star | Ichkä́ (‘Ich’ velar) | ihké | Sun | Achá-se (together, ‘se’ full quality but short) | áxxaaše | Tomahawk | Maníhtsíp-ihpse (‘an’ as in French, ‘e’ full quality) | Probably a pipe tomahawk; baáččipe is the term for ‘hatchet’ or ‘axe’ | Water | Minä́ | bilé | Woman | Mía (‘Mí’ together, ‘a’ separate, but short) | bía |
Names of Places and Geographical Features
| Words | Crow | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Bad River | Benin-dätä | ? | ||
| Beaver Creek | Schipü-anjä́ | Šipíaaše = šipía ‘muddy’ + áaše ‘river’; or ‘Muddy Creek’ | ||
| Bighorn River | Íhsachpóh-atasse-ánjä | Iisaxpúatahčeeaaše = iisaxpúatahčee ‘bighorn sheep’ + áaše ‘river’ | ||
| Heart River | Nansán-schä (‘an’ French) | Daasáaše | ||
| Knife River | Mítsi-anjä́ | Bíččiiaaše | ||
| Little Bighorn River | Íhsachpóh-atasse-niëkahte-ánjä | Iisaxpúatahčeeaašiakáate = (see Bighorn River above) + Iakáate (‘little’) | ||
| Little Missouri River | Ánskenn-ischtä́ | ? + išté ‘eye’ | ||
| Little Muddy River | Süppih-ánjä | Šipíaáaše ‘muddy’ + ‘river’ | ||
| Missouri River | Ánsadissä́h (‘Án’ strongly stressed, everything together, ‘dis’ short) | A’ashisee ‘Big River’ | ||
| Musselshell River | Bischóh-sánsä | Bišóochaaše | ||
| Powder River | Widóbsanjä | Bilápčaaše | ||
| Rampart River | Amenáhmi-ánjë | Awaláawiiáaše ? ‘land, earth’ + ‘three’ + ‘river’ ? | ||
| Rocky Mountains | Amecháhwe | awaxaawé ‘mountain’ | ||
| Tongue River | Dä́hjansä | Déesaaše | ||
| White Earth River | Widóbsanjä | Úh-kanschä́ Úukaaše = úuke ‘white clay’ + áaše ‘river’; or ‘White Clay River’ | ||
| White River | Menih-attakánsä | bili ‘water’ + ? + áashe ‘river’ |
Names of Bands or Societies
| Words | Crow | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Buffalos | Síhrapichte | Číilape ‘bull’ + ? | ||
| Half-shorn Heads | Zóhta-Girackschóhke | Čúusa čilaššuučé = čúusa ‘half ’ + čilaššuučé ‘shave’ | ||
| Headbreakers, or Stone Cassetêtes | Wih-wa-uhpake | Wih-WaÚhpake | Bii-wúupčakee = bií ‘stone’ + búupche ‘ball’ + akeé ‘owner’ | |
| Large Dogs | Wischkissáh | Biškisée = bišké ‘dog’ + isée ‘big’ | ||
| Little Dogs | Wíske-káhte | Wíske-Káhte | Biškakáate | |
| Prairie Foxes | Íhcochke | Iáxuxke ‘fox’ | ||
| Ravens or Crows | Pähriskichke | Pä́riskichte | Peelaččé ‘raven’ + ? | |
| ? | Pädachíschi | ? |
Samples of the Yanktonan [Yanktonai] (Dacota) Language
| Words | Dacota | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Arm | Istó | istó | ||
| Arrow | Uahitpe (‘Ua’ nasal) | wahį́kpe | ||
| Bison | Tatanka | thathą́ka ‘buffalo bull’ | ||
| Bow | Itáh-sipa (‘Itáh’ stressed, ‘si’ very short, ‘pa’ also without stress) | itázipcho | ||
| Child | Okschiókapa | hokšíyopha | ||
| Earth | Manká (‘an’ as in French) | makhá | ||
| Eye | Ischtá | ištá | ||
| Fire | Pähta | phéta | ||
| Game, hoop | Sankodeska-Kutépi | chąkdéska khutépi ‘shooting at hoop’ | ||
| God | Uakán-tanka (‘an’ as in French and nasal) | Wakhą́-thą́ka ‘Great Spirit’ | ||
| Hair | Pihí | phehį | ||
| Hand | Napä́ | napé | ||
| Head | Pah | phá | ||
| Man | Uïtschá | wichá | ||
| Moccasin | Hám-pa (‘ám’ pronounced as in French) | Hán-pa (‘an’ French) | hą́pa | |
| Moon | Hahépi-uïh (first word somewhat nasal) | hąhépi-wi (lit. ‘night sun’) | ||
| Mouth | Ih | í | ||
| Pipe | Schandúh-hupa (‘hupa’ short and without stress) | chądúhupa | ||
| Rattle (antelope hoof) | Taschahka | thasíha kašlášlapi ‘hoof rattle’ | ||
| Shield | Oahát-sanka (‘sanka’ short and without stress) | waháchąka | ||
| Star | Tsáchpi (‘ach’ velar) | Tscháchpi | wicháȟ̌pi | |
| Sun | Uïh | wí | ||
| Tomahawk | Onspä-tschanupa (second word rather softly and without stress) | chąnų́pa ‘pipe tomahawk’ | ||
| Water | Menih | mní | ||
| Woman | Uïïa (‘Uï’ nasal) | wį́yą |
Names of Places and Geographical Features
| Words | Dacota | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| [Bad River] | Uatpahsitscha | Watpá-šíca | ||
| [Chantier Creek] | Tcheh-ke-nå-kå-oah-tåh-påh-dah | Tscheh-ke-naka-oah-tapah | Chéknaka watpádą ‘Breechcloth Creek’ | |
| [Elm Creek] | Pächendächende | P’ekdékde ‘Scattered Elms’ | ||
| Pointe aux Asniboix [Artichoke Butte] | Panchä́-Ojú (‘ch’ velar) | Phâõí ojú ‘Artichoke Field’ should be Phąǧí oŽú | ||
| Pointe aux Frènes [Ash Point] | Psächte-Ojú (‘ch’ velar) | Pseȟ̌tį́ ožú ‘Ash Grove’ | ||
| Yellowstone River | Achahka-Uatapáh (‘ch’ velar; Elk River) | Heȟ̌áka wakpá ‘Elk River |
Names of Tribes and Bands
| Words | Dacota | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Mdewakantons [Santee or Eastern Sioux] | Mende-Wakan-Toanns, usually called Medoa-Kantons, Kiúksas, Chémenitschas (‘ch’ velar), Kapojés (‘j’ as in French), Mocháh-iutischens (first word stressed, ‘ch’ velar, ‘e’ half [=ə]), Uaiate-Sitschas, Tih-ta-toëns (‘Tih-ta’ “prairie,” ‘toën’ “village”) | Mdewákhąthųwą or Mdewákhąthų ‘Spirit Lake Village’, Khiyúksa ‘Break in Two’, Ȟemníca ‘Bluff-Water-Wood’, Kap’ó’ža ‘Light Ones’, Maǧá yútešni ‘Doesn’t Eat Geese’, Oyáte-šíca ‘Bad People’, Thįtáthųwą | ||
| Nation of Leaves [Santee or Eastern Sioux] | Wahk-Pe-Tranns | Waȟ̌péthųwą ‘Leaf Village’ | ||
| Sissetons [Santee or Eastern Sioux] | Sissitons, Sissitony | Sisi-Toanns | Sisíthųwą ‘[?] + Village’ | |
| Nation Shooting at Leaves [Santee or Eastern Sioux] | Wahk-Pe-Kutehs or Wahk-Pekó-Toanns | Waȟpékhute ‘Shoots at Leaves’ or Waȟpékhutethųwą ‘Shoots at Leaves Village’ | Yanktons [Yanktons/Yanktonai Sioux] | Yanktons | Ihą́kthúwą ‘End Village’ | [Yanktonais] [Yanktons/Yanktonai Sioux] | Yanktonans (‘an’ as in French) | Ihą́kthuwąna ‘Little End Village’ | [Upper Yanktonais] [Yanktons/Yanktonai Sioux] | Papa-xápes (Severed Heads) | Phábaksa ‘Cut Head’ | Tetons [Teton or Western Sioux] | Teton | Thíthųwą ‘Prairie Village’ | [Brules] [Teton or Western Sioux] | Sitságos | Sichą́ǧu ‘Burned Thigh’ | Hunkpapas [Teton or Western Sioux] | Honk-pápas | Hų́kpapha ‘Head of Camp Circle Opening’ | Oglalas [Teton or Western Sioux] | Oglálas | Oglála ‘Scatter One’s Own’ | Saones [Teton or Western Sioux] | Saonns, subdivided into [the following]: | Saóni (meaning unknown) | Minneconjous [Teton or Western Sioux] | Meni-Kao-juhs (village on the edge of the water) | Mnikhówožu ‘Planters by the Water’ | [Two Kettles] [Teton or Western Sioux] | MWanoak-Ketenninas (killed because of carelessness) | Wanų́ktenina ‘Killed Accidently’[?] | [Sans Arcs] [Teton or Western Sioux] | Itáwitsos | Itázipcho ‘Without Bows’ |
Names for Other Tribes
| Words | Dacota | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Blackfoot | Siha-Sapa | Sihá-sápa ‘Blackfoot’ | ||
| Crows | Kanché-uïtschasche (‘ch’ velar, last ‘e’ half [=ə]) | Khąǧí-wicháša ‘Crow Men/People’ |
Samples of the Flathead [Salish] Language
| Words | Salish | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Arrow | Tah-pu-minn | t’apmín (the root is t’apí ‘shoot’) | ||
| Bow | Soh-nonn (the same for “shotgun”) | Soh-nónn | ckwín’č (the root is ckwú ‘pull’) | |
| Child | Skoch-koiomm (softly and together, ‘och’ velar) | skwkwím’lt ‘young child’ | ||
| Earth | Soputh | Sopúth | ? | |
| Eye | Ehsuetst | eswíčsts ‘he/she sees it’ | ||
| Fire | Steechke (‘St’ apical, ‘ch’ velar, final ‘e’ half [=ə]) | Stehchke | esc’áx̣ ‘it’s fried’ or more likely esc’áx̣i ‘he/she is frying something’ | |
| God | Inuméhcho (‘I’ like ‘E,’ ‘ch’ velar) | ilmíxwm ‘chief, boss’ | ||
| Head | Estáchk (‘Es’ softly, ‘ch’ velar) | ? | ||
| Man | Taiskáltomo (little stress and softly) | sqltmí(xw) | ||
| Moon | Ehs-pach-kann (softly and palatal) | spq’ní? (the root is p’aq’) | ||
| Mouth | Onuchuaye (‘ch’ velar, ‘e’ half [=ə]) | ? | ||
| Pipe | Simä́h-noch (‘Simä́h’ short, ‘noch’ velar, little stress) | smén’xw | ||
| Star | Skochkussa (‘ch’ velar, ‘sa’ soft and barely audible) | kwkwúsm’ (the root is kwús) | ||
| Sun | Ehs-pach-kann (softly and palatal) | spq’níʔ (the root is p’aq’) | ||
| Tomahawk | So-nonn | Soh-nónn | sáx̣wmn ‘axe’ | |
| Water | Saotuch (softly, ‘ch’ velar) | séwłkw | ||
| Woman | Semääm (‘e’ half [=ə], ‘ä’ and ‘ä’ separate) | smʔém ‘woman, girl’ |
Samples of the Gros Ventre Language
| Words | Gros Ventre | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Arm | Nah-köth (syllables separate) | naéækékʔɨ ‘my hand’ (female speech) | ||
| Arrow | Nénnitch (‘ch’ apical, not velar) | ʔɔ́cʔɨ (probably nénɔcʔɨ ‘my arrow’) | ||
| Bow | Nemáth (‘e’ half [=ə]) | baéætæh ‘bow’, næbaéætæh ‘my bow’ | ||
| Child | Tä́yalle (all syllables a little clipped and separate, ‘e’ half [=ə]) | téʔyɔɔnæh | ||
| Earth | Meth-auuch (‘au’ together, ‘auuch’ very short) | biitʔʔɔ́wuh ‘hard ground; land’ | ||
| Eye | NNe-séh-seh (‘Ne’ short and half [=ə], first ‘seh’ carries stress) | næsɨ́ɨθæh ‘my eye’ | ||
| Fire | Esittah (‘e’ very short) | ʔisɨ́tææʔ | ||
| God | Mehåa (‘e’ short, each ‘a’ separate) | bɔhʔɔ́ɔɔʔ ‘thunder’ | ||
| Hair | Näwi-táss (‘táss’ stressed) | ? | ||
| Hand | Nah-kettinach (somewhat indistinct) | ? | ||
| Head | Nöth-ah (indistinct, ‘ah’ separate) | næníítʔɔɔʔ ‘my head’ | ||
| Man | Nenítta (‘e’ and ‘a’ short) | ʔininítææ, ʔinnítææʔ ‘thunder’ | ||
| Moon | Kahå-hássa (together) | bííkóóúsɨ́sʔɨ ‘night luminary’ | ||
| Mouth | Nöt-ti (‘ti’ somewhat more softly) | Nö́t-ti naékiiʔ (female speech) ‘my mouth’; naéčiiʔ (male speech) | ||
| Moon | Kahå-hássa (together) | bííkóóúsɨ́sʔɨ ‘night luminary’ | ||
| Pipe | KEht-tsá | ʔíicɔ́ɔɔʔ | ||
| Star | Áto (‘o’ almost like ö) | ʔɔtóʔ | ||
| Sun | Ehsiss | ʔíísɨ́ɨsʔɨ ‘sun, luminary’ | ||
| Tomahawk | Aha-loss | ʔɔ́hʔɔnɔ́ɔsʔɨ ‘axe’ | ||
| Water | Netse (‘e’ very short) | nicʔɨ | ||
| Woman | Ésta (‘És’ lisping) | ʔíθææʔ |
Names of Animals
| Words | Gros Ventre | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Bighorn sheep | Hat-tä́ | Euáhkiä [bull], Bǘh [cow] | ʔænaéaékyææʔ ‘buffalo’ and/or ‘buffalo bull’ (female speech); ʔænaéaéčææʔ (male speech), biih ‘barren buffalo cow’ | |
| Buffalo | Anath-je | Hottë́h | ʔɔtééíh |
Samples of the Hidatsa Language
| Words | Hidatsa | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Arm | Áhra (‘r’ tongue-trilled) | áàra ‘his arm’ | ||
| Arrow | Bídda-arúhtischa (‘Bidda’ and ‘scha’ short) | mira’arucíhša ‘straight wood used for making an arrow’ | ||
| Bow | Berúcha-paruï (‘r’ tongue-trilled, ‘ch’ velar) | Berúcha-paruḯ | mirúhxa baruwi | |
| Child | Mah-karischtá | Máh-karischtá | maagaríšda | |
| Earth | Auá (stress on ‘á’; ‘A’ and ‘u’ separate) | awá ‘earth, land’ | ||
| Eye | Ischtá | išdá ‘his eye’ | ||
| Fire | Bidá-a (‘dá-a’ short and clipped) | mirá’ | ||
| God | Éhsich-kawáh-hiddisch (‘sich’ as in German, ‘hiddisch’ without stress, softer) | Íìcihgawaahiriš ‘First Maker’ | ||
| Hair | Ará (nasal, ‘r’ tongue-trilled) | ará ‘his hair’ | ||
| Hand | Waschaki | mašagí ‘my hand’ | ||
| Head | Ah-tú (‘Ah’ nasal, ‘tú’ very short and clipped) | aahdú ‘his head’ | ||
| Man | Matsä́h | Matséh or Matsä́h | macéé | |
| Moon | Wáhch-kubbedíh (everything short and together, ‘e’ half [=ə]) | mááhguwiri | ||
| Mouth | Bih | míì ‘my mouth’ | ||
| Pipe | Éikipi (‘Éi’strong stress and very high, almost like ‘I,’ ‘kipi’ softer and short) | íìgibi | ||
| Star | Ichká (‘Ich’ palatal as in German, ‘ká’ short) | ihgá | ||
| Sun | Maápa-widdi (‘aá’ separate, ‘widdi’ short) | Maápi-widdi | maabiwirí | |
| Tomahawk | Wiipsaráhki-íhkpi | mi’bcaráàga íìgibi ‘hatchet, little axe’ + íìgibi ‘pipe’ = ‘pipe tomahawk’ | ||
| Water | Biddí | Biddí or bidí mirí | ||
| Woman | Bía (‘a’ muted) | míà |
Names of Places and Geographical Features
| Words | Hidatsa | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Awatixa | Awatixa | Awatichái | Awaticháy ‘High Village’ | |
| Bad River | Biddi-schu-wáh-áhji | Mirí Šuwá Áàši ‘Slow Water Creek’ | ||
| Beaver Creek | Bírapa-áhji | Mirába Aaši | ||
| Big Hidatsa | Eláh-sáh | Hiraacá ‘Village of the Big Willows’; ‘Hidatsa’ | ||
| Bighorn River | Ahsüchtía-óhkarist-áhji | Aašihdíà Aaši ‘Bighorn Creek’ | ||
| Cannonball River | Ansi-ichtiä (‘Án’ nasal, ‘ich’ velar, ‘ti’ stressed, ‘ä’ and ‘ti’ separate) | Áàši ihdia → Áàšihdia ‘Big Creek’ | ||
| Grand River | Birridsipa-ahji (‘Birridsi’ short, ‘ji’ soft as in French) | Mirá’ciba Aaši ‘Ashes Creek’ | ||
| Heart River | Nah-táh-schi (‘schi’ short) | Naadáàši ‘Heart Creek’ | ||
| Knife River | Maëttseruåhji (‘a’ and ‘ë’ separate, second ‘e’ half [=ə], ‘ji’ as in French) | Mé’charu’aaši ‘Knife Creek’ | ||
| Little Bighorn River | Ahsüchtía-óhjarist-áhji | Aašihdíà Oogaríšdaaši ‘Little Bighorn Creek’ | ||
| Little Missouri River | Amáh-tikasche | Awáàdhigaaša ‘Little River/Missouri’ | ||
| Little Muddy River | Wisíh-daschi (last word without stress) | Dibíà Aaši ‘Mud Creek’ | ||
| Missouri River | Amáhti | Awáàdhi ‘River/Missouri’ | ||
| Moreau River | Máh-Supíschä-Ahji (‘áh’ like ‘an’ nasal, ‘ji’ as in French), River of Grapes | Maašibíša Aaši ‘Grape (lit. something black) Creek’ | ||
| Musselshell River | Máto-káhsi | Madóògaaši ‘Shell Creek’ | ||
| Powder River | Biddá-sipá-áhji | Mirá’ciba Aaši ‘Ashes/Gunpowder Creek’ | ||
| Rampart River | Ánji-widáss (‘Án’ as in French, with stress) | Áàši Wira’š ‘Creek Trees[?]’ | ||
| Tongue River | Dähji-áhji | Néèšaaši ‘Tongue Creek’ | ||
| White Earth River | Oh-katakáhsi | Úùgadagaaši ‘White Clay Creek’ | ||
| White River | Biddi-attakahsi or Aú-atta-káhsch | Biddi-Attakáhsi | Mirí’adagáàši ‘White Water Creek’, Awadagáàšiš ‘White Earth Creek’ | |
| Yellowstone River | Wisíh-daschi (last word without stress) | Wísih-dáschi Mi’cíìraaši (lit. ‘Yellow Stone Creek’) |
Names Given to Other Tribes
| Words | Hidatsa | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Crow | Háiderohka | Haideróhka | Hereooka |
Samples of the Kansa Language
| Words | Kansa | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Arrow | Måh | mą́· | ||
| Child | Schínga-schinngá | hįŋa-hįŋa | ||
| Earth | Mohnika (‘n’ like ‘h’) | mąyį́kka | ||
| Eye | Isch-tá | ištá | ||
| Fire | Pädjä (‘j’ as in French) | ppé·ǰe | ||
| God | Wåh-kónda-gä (Wahkondagä) | Wakką́dagi | ||
| Hair | På-hí | ppahǘ | ||
| Hand | Nom-pö́ (‘om’ as in French) | nąbé | ||
| Head | Påh | ppá· | ||
| Man | Ni-ká | níkka | ||
| Mouth | Hüh | í·ha | ||
| Pipe | Nåh-ni-ba | nąnǫ́·ba | ||
| Sun | Pih | mí· | ||
| Tomahawk | Må-sospä-jingá (‘j’ as in French) | mą́·hįspe (hį́ŋa) | ||
| Water | Nih | ní· | ||
| Woman | Wåh-ko | wakʔó |
Samples of the Kootenai Language
| Words | Kootenai | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Arm | Achkusottis (indistinctly) | Achkusóttis | ʔa·kɬat’ʔis ‘his/her/its/their arm/arms’ | |
| Arrow | Ahk (the ‘k’ lingers in the throat) | ʔa·k’ ‘arrow, bullet’ | ||
| Bow | Züpil (‘i’ very short and almost like ‘e’, indistinctly) | Zǘpil | ||
| Child | Skammu (everything softly and gently, velar) | Skámmu | ɬkamu ‘child, baby’ | |
| Earth | Amma | Ám-ma | ʔamak ‘land, country, earth, ground, soil’ | |
| Eye | Akaksisches (‘es’ full quality) | ʔa·kaqɬiɬʔis ‘his/her/its/their eye/eyes’ | ||
| Fire | Núma | numa ‘thunder’ | ||
| God | Akingkóko (indistinctly) | ʔa·kinq’uku ‘fire, matches’ | ||
| Hair | Akuksammus (‘s’ lisping) | ʔa·kuq’ɬam’ʔis ‘his/her/its/their hair’ | ||
| Hand | Achkehs (velar and softly) | ʔa·kiyʔis ‘his/her/its/their hand/hands’ | ||
| Head | Achksemnis (‘k’ lisping the way L. Schwendler speaks, indistinctly, short, ‘Ach’ velar) | ʔakɬam’nis ‘your head’ | ||
| Man | Aksmacki (a short pause on the ‘s’ but not very distinct) | ʔaqɬ¢maknik’ ‘person, people, American Indians’ | ||
| Moon | Natannick (like “sun”) | Natánnik | natanik’ ‘sun, moon’ | |
| Mouth | Natannick (like “sun”) | Natánnik | natanik’ ‘his/her/its/their mouth/mouths’ | |
| Pipe | Achkússa (‘ch’ velar, the whole [word] soft and velar) | ʔa·kuɬa ‘pipe stem’ | ||
| Star | Akisnohs (a special clicking at the ‘s’) | ʔa·kiɬnuhus (-iɬnuhus, a suffix, means “star”) | ||
| Sun | Natannick (‘k’ only a slight velar sound barely audible) | Natánnik | see “Moon” above | |
| Tomahawk | Achkenksä (‘ks’ with tongue clicking, the way Schwendler speaks) | ? | ||
| Water | Woh (abruptly and directly expelled) | wuʔu (as spoken today) | ||
| Woman | Paski (‘ki’ softly and short) | Páski | paɬki |
Samples of the Mandan Language
| Words | Mandan | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Arm | Áh-dä (‘dä’ short) | a:r | ||
| Arrow | Mánna-máhhä | wrąh wąh ‘wood arrow’ | ||
| Bow | Woraërúhpa (‘r’ tongue-trilled) | wrąh írupa ‘wood gun/weapon’ | ||
| Child | Suck-chámahä (‘ch’ velar) | suk xwąh (lit. ‘child small’) | ||
| Earth | Máhhankä (‘an’ as in French, ‘ka’ short) | wą́ʔąk ‘land, ground’ | ||
| Eye | Istá | istáwį | ||
| Fire | Wåradä (last ‘e’ somewhat short) | Uáradä | wrar | |
| Flute, pipe | Íhkoschka | įʔkoška ‘whistle’ | ||
| God | Ómahank-numáhkschi (half loud and short) | o:wąhąk rųwąʔkši | ||
| Hair | Pa-hín (‘n’ as in French) or Pahí (‘hí’ is a nasal sound; sounds like ‘hin’) | pEhį (pE ‘head’ + hį ‘hair’) | ||
| Hand | Ung-kä́ (‘kä́’ short) | ųk | ||
| Head | Pá | pE | ||
| Man | Númangkosch | rųwąʔk-oʔš ‘it is a man’ | Moon | Istú-menáhke (first ‘e’ half [=ә], second full quality) | istú wįrąk ‘night’ + ‘vehicle’ | Mouth | Íhkä (together, ‘Íh’ stressed, ‘ä’ short) | ih | Pipe | Íhingkä | ihįka ‘drinker, drink, instrument/implement’ | Star | Chkäkä (‘ch’ velar) | xek | Sun | Maháp-míhnankä (‘an’ French) | Maháp-míhnangkä | wą-hąp wįrąk (lit. ‘sun/day’) + ‘vehicle’ | Tomahawk | Ohmanatt-chamahä-ihingkätuhsch | o:wrąt xwąh (lit. ‘axe small’) + ihįkatoʔš (lit. ‘it is a pipe’) | Water | Mönníh (‘ö’ short like the whole word) | wrį | Woman | Míh-hä (‘hä’ short) | wį:h |
Names of Places and Geographical Features
| Words | Mandan | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Bad River | Mönnichä́h-pássahä (‘ch’ velar) | Wrį Xer Pasąh (lit. ‘water slow river’) | ||
| Beaver Creek | Mattúhntu-pássahä | Wątutu Pasąh ‘Muddy River’ | ||
| Bighorn River | Ansechtä́-passahä (‘An’ as in French, ‘sech’ velar, ‘e’ scarcely audible, ‘tä́’ stressed) | Ąs Xte Pasąh (lit. ‘horn big creek’) | ||
| Cannonball River | Passáchtä | Pasąh Xte (lit. ‘river big’) | ||
| Grand River | Wáraschunt-pássahä | Wra(r) Šut Pasąh ‘Fire Ash(es) River’ | ||
| Heart River | Nátka-pássahä | Rątka Pasąh | ||
| Knife River | Mánhi-pássahä (‘án’ as in French) | Wąhi Pasąh | ||
| Little Bighorn River | Ansechtä-chámahä-pássahä (‘ch’ velar) | Ąs Xte Xwąh Pasąh (lit. ‘horn big small river’) | ||
| Little Missouri River | Mánhi-pássahä (‘án’ as in French) | Máhtack-schuckä́ Wą:tah Kšuk-(s) (lit. ‘river narrow [the]’) | ||
| Little Muddy River | Mattúhntu-pássahä | Wątutu(k) Pasąh ‘Muddy River’ | ||
| Missouri River | Mántahä (‘án’ as in French) | Wą:tah | ||
| Moreau River | Passan-hitahä́ (‘an’ as in French) | Pasąh + ? (‘river’ + ?) | ||
| Musselshell River | Tóhki-pássahä (‘ó’ somewhat full) | Toki Pasąh ‘[Mussel] Shell Creek’ | ||
| Powder River | Waraschunt-pássahä | Wrar Šųt Pasąh (perhaps ‘Ash River’; lit. ‘fire powder creek’, wrar šųt ‘ashes’) | ||
| Rampart River | Manáhmeni-pássahä | Wą’ąk Rąwrį Pasąh (lit. ‘hill three river’) | ||
| Tongue River | Dähsick-pássahä | Résik Pasąh ‘Tongue Creek’ | ||
| White Earth River | Matáck-pássahä | Wątah Pasąh ‘Clay Creek’ | ||
| White River | Mönníh-schott-pássahä | Wrį Šot Pasąh (lit. ‘water white river’) | ||
| Yellowstone River | Míhsi-pássahä | Wįʾ(r) Si(r) Pasąh (lit. ‘stone yellow river’) |
Names of Bands or Societies
| Words | Mandan | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Dogs | Kauakarakachka | Wrįs Óxka (oxat) ‘Crazy Dogs’ |
Names for Other Tribes
| Words | Mandan | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Crows | Häderuka | Hréroka ‘Crow’ | ||
| Hidatsas | Minitari | Wrį-ta ri (‘They Came to the Water’; lit. ‘water—to come’) |
Other Terminology
| Words | Mandan | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| First Man | Numánk-máchana | Rųwąk Wą́xrą (lit. ‘man one/only/alone’) |
Samples of the Ojibwe Language
| Words | Ojibwe | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Arm | Uníck | onik nid ‘his/her arm’ | ||
| Arrow | Uibmah (‘Ui’ separate) | Uiiahs wiibimaan ni | ||
| Bow | Mistiguap | mitigwaab ni | ||
| Child (boy); Child (girl) | Kuiuisän (short, together, second ‘ui’ somewhat separate, ‘n’ as in French); Squasän (‘n’ as in French) | gwiiwizens na; ikwezens na | ||
| Earth | Achké (‘ch’ velar) | Achkí aki ni ‘earth, land’ | ||
| Eye | Oschkinsick (‘n’ as in French) | Oschkínjick oshkiinzhig nid ‘his/her eye’ | ||
| Fire | Schkuttäh | ishkode ni | ||
| God | Kisäh-mannitto (first ‘i’ short) | Gizhe-manidoo na ‘kind/benevolent spirit’ | ||
| Hair | Ninisistann | Uïnisiss niinizis nid ‘my [single strand of] hair’ (pl. niinizisan) | ||
| Hand | Uninjinn (‘j’ as in French, otherwise as in German) | oninj nid ‘his/her hand’ (pl. oninjiin) | ||
| Head | Uschteguan | otigwaan/oshtigwaan nid ‘his/her head’ | ||
| Man | Nininí | Hinniní inini na | ||
| Moon | Tibichki-Kihsis (‘bich’ not velar, as in German) | Tibíck-kíhsis | dibiki-giizis na (lit. ‘night sun’) | |
| Man | Nininí | Hinniní inini na | ||
| Mouth | Otohn | odoon nid ‘his/her mouth’ | ||
| Pipe | Poagánn | opwaagan na | ||
| Shoe | Machkisínn | makizin ni | ||
| Star | Anank | anang na | ||
| Sun | Kíhsis (the teeth closed and touched with the tongue) | giizis, na ‘sun, moon’ | ||
| Tomahawk | Uagachkuatons-poagann (‘ach’ velar, ‘ons’ as in French but ‘s’ audible, ‘ann’ as in German) | waagaakwadoons ni ‘tomahawk, small axe’ | ||
| Water | Nipí | nibi ni | ||
| Woman | Ichkuá (‘Ich’ as in German; this is where “squaw” came from) | ikwe na |
Names of Places and Geographical Features
| Words | [Ojibwe] | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Mississippi River | Meschi-Sipo (Sipo [=] river, Meschi [=] large) | Mishi-ziibi |
Samples of the Omaha Language
| Words | Omaha | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Arm | Ah-schih | á·+? (unidentified suffix) | Arm (Male) (Female) | |
| Arrow | Måh | mą́· | Arrow (Male) (Female) | |
| Bow | Mondähí | mą́·de, mą́·dehi ‘arrow, dart’ | Bow (Male) (Female) | |
| Child | Schinga-schinga | šį́gažįga | Child (Male) (Female) | |
| Earth | Moniká | mąðį́kka ‘mud’ | Earth (Male) (Female) | |
| Eye | Isch-tá | įštá | Eye (Male) (Female) | |
| Fire | Pädé | ppé·de | Fire (Male) (Female) | |
| God | Wåhkonda | Wakką́da | God (Male) (Female) | |
| Hair | På-hí | ppahí | Hair (Male) (Female) | |
| Hand | Nom-bä́ (‘om’ as in French) | nąbé | Hand (Male) (Female) | |
| Head | Nasch-keh | nąškí | Head (Male) (Female) | |
| Iron Eye Hill | Ischtåh-må-säh | Ischtá-Masö́ or Ischta-Mansö́ | Įstá-mą́·ze | Iron Eye Hill (Male) (Female) |
| Man | Nuh | nú | Man (Female) | |
| Moon | Mih-om-bá | míąba | Moon (Male) (Female) | |
| Mouth | Hih | i· | Mouth (Male) (Female) | |
| Pipe | Ninibåh | niní·ba | Pipe (Male) (Female) | |
| Star | Pikä́ | mikkáʔe | Star (Male) (Female) | |
| Sun | Mih | mí·, mį́· | Sun (Male) (Female) | |
| Tomahawk | Måse-päjinga (‘se’ short, ‘j’ as in French, last word rapid) | mą́·zeppe žįga | Tomahawk (Male) | |
| Water | Nih | ní·, nį́· | Water (Male) (Female) | |
| Woman | Wåh-úh | waʔú | Woman (Male) (Female) |
Samples of the Osage Language
| Words | Osage | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Arm | Ischtó | i·stó ‘elbow’ | ||
| Arrow | Uan (‘an’ as in French) | mą́· | ||
| Bow | Minn-dja (‘j’ as in French) | Minn-djä | mį́·ce | |
| Child | Schinga-schinga | žįkážį | ||
| Earth | Makah or Maniga6 (velar, as in German) | mą́įhka, mąðį́hka | ||
| Eye | Isch-tá | ištá | ||
| Fire | Pedje (‘j’ as in French, ‘e’ fully articulated) | hpé·ce | ||
| God | Uakan-tanga (‘an’ as in French) or Uakånda (as in German) | Wahką́ta | ||
| Hair | Pah-hah | hpahǘ; hpáxį | ||
| Hand | Nompé (‘om’ as in French) | nąpé | ||
| Head | Pah | hpa· ‘nose’ | ||
| Man | Niká (Nika-schiga, “several men, people”) | níhka, níhkašika | ||
| Moon | Míh or Mih-ómba (‘óm’ as in French) | mį́·, mį́·ǫpa | ||
| Mouth | I-há | íha | ||
| Pipe | Nani-omba (together) | nąnį́ǫpa | ||
| Star | MUïtschachpe (‘ch’ as in German, velar) | mihkákʔe | ||
| Sun | Uin (‘U’ and ‘i’ separate, ‘n’ as in French) | wį· | ||
| Tomahawk | Manhispä-naniomba (‘an’ as in French) | mą́·hispe nąnį́ǫpa | ||
| Water | Nih | ní·, nį́· | ||
| Woman | Uakó (‘Ua’ separate) | wakʔó |
Names of Places and Geographical Features
| Words | Osage | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Bear Medicine Island | Rumätschi-Wåssobä-Wåhkonda-gä | Rumätschi-Wassóbä-Wakándagä | wasápe wahką́taki | |
| Bear Medicine Mountain | Påhü-Wåssobä-Wåhkonda-gä | Páhü-Wassóbä-Wakándagä | hpahǘ ‘hair’ + pa∙xó ‘mountain’ + wasápe ‘bear’ + wahką́taki ‘medicine man’ | |
| Bear Medicine River | Wålischka-Wåssobä-Wåhkonda-gä | Wålischka-Wassobä-Wakándagä | wachíška-wasápe wahką́taki |
Samples of the Otoe or Iowa Language
| Words | Otoe/Iowa | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Arm | Míto | mídų ‘arrowhead’ | ||
| Child | Tchi-tching-ä (‘ch’ like ‘tgi’ with the tip of the tongue) | čhį́čhįŋe | ||
| Earth | Må-ha | mą́ha ‘ground, earth’ | ||
| Fire | Pé-djé (‘j’ as in French) | Pedjé-takan | phé·ǰe | |
| God | Wåhkonda | Wakhą́da | ||
| Hair | På-hí | phahį́ | ||
| Hand | Nau-uä́ | ną́we | Head | På | phá | Hand | Uong-gä́ | wą́·ŋe ‘person, man’ | Moon | Pih (they provide additional specification for this) | bí· | Mouth | Hi | í | Pipe | Rå-no-uä | ráhnųwe | Star | Piká | bikháxʔe | Tomahawk | I-sua-ing-ä (together) | įθwéįŋe ‘tomahawk, hatchet’ | Water | Nih | ñí· | Woman | Ina-hakä (‘ä’ barely audible) | hiną́ge |
Names of Places and Geographical Features
| Words | Otoe/Iowa | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Blacksnake Hills | Wå-kon-seh-uä | Wåkán-Se-Uä | Wakhą́ θé·we ‘blacksnake’ | |
| Grand River | Nischna-Honjä | Wåkán-Se-Uä | Nį·šná xą·ǰe | |
| Iron Eye Hill | Ischtå-må-sä | Ischtá-Masö or Ischta-Mansö́ | Istá Mą·ðé | |
| Missouri River | Nischu-Djä (‘j’ as in French) | Nįšó·ǰe |
Samples of the Ponca (Omaha) Language
| Words | Ponca | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Arm | Adn (‘dn’ barely audible) | á·,áʔ | ||
| Arrow | Man (as in French) | mą́·, mą́ʔ | ||
| Bow | Man-deh (‘an’ as in French) | mą́·de, mą́ʔde | ||
| Child | Schinga-Schinga | šį́gažįga | ||
| Earth | Tån-dä | ttą́·de, ttą́ʔde ‘earth, dirt’ | ||
| Eye | Isch-tá | įštá, ištá | ||
| Fire | Pähd | ppé·de, ppéʔde | ||
| God | Wåh-kon-da | Wakką́da | ||
| Hair | Nan-schi-ha (‘an’ as in French, ‘ha’ short) | nąžíha | ||
| Hand | Nom-bä (‘om’ as in French) | nąbé | ||
| Head | Nan-schti (‘an’ as in French) | nąškí | ||
| Man | Nuh (‘u’ between ‘o’ and ‘ů’) | nú | ||
| Moon | Mih-om-bah | nią́ba, míąba | ||
| Mouth | Hih | í·, íʔ | ||
| Pipe | Ninibá | niní·ba, niníʔba | ||
| Moon | Mih-om-bah | nią́ba, míąba | ||
| Star | Mihka | mikkáʔe | ||
| Sun | Mih | mí·, míʔ | ||
| Tomahawk | Manse-päschingá (‘an’ as in French, ‘se’ short) | mą́·zeppa žįga, mą́ʔzeppa | ||
| Water | Nih | ní·, niʔ | ||
| Woman | Wah-u | Wáh-uh | waʔú |
Names of Other Tribes/Groups
| Words | Ponca | Reise | Modern Orthography | Modern Orthography (Commentary) |
| Omaha | Omåha | Omáha | umą́hą |