Don Addison Photo by Larry Johnson

Chinook Wa-Wa

Arlie Neskahi:
Welcome back. This is Wisdom of the Elders.

Don Addison:
Halito! I'm Don Addision and this is Speaking Native.

The term Chinook refers to several different languages. “Chinook Wa-Wa” (pejoratively known as “Chinook jargon”) is a trade language composed of words from many languages, along the west coast. Most of the words come from Nootka in the north, but many came from English and French fur traders. Hai-yu mer-si means “thank you” and includes the French word merci. Haiyu mersi .

Until next time, yakoke!

 

 

 

Chinuk Wa Wa Courtesy, Kalapuya (Click for large image)