Don Addison

Don Addison. Photo by Larry Johnson.

Chinook Wa-Wa

with Don Addison

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.

Chinuk Wa Wa

Chinuk Wa Wa. Courtesy, Kalapuya

Until next time, yakoke!