Chapter 9 – Basic Conversation
Using Mi’kmaw to Learn Mi’kmaw
One way language learners can accelerate their understanding and use of Mi’kmaw is using the language to ask questions about the language or request assistance from a fluent speaker. For example, to ask how to say a specific word in Mi’kmaw you would say:
- Question: Tali teluisi raspberry Míkmawík?
- Response: klitaw
Below are a list of questions or requests you can pose to help you stay immersed in the language and expand your knowledge.
| Question/Request | Using Mi’kmaw | What it sounds like in Mi’kmaw. |
| Please help me. | Tl-wla’li apoqnmui | |
| Please help me say the word. | Tl-wla’li apoqnmui tluen klusuaqn l’nuwiktuk | |
| What’s the name of this? | Taluisik ula ? | |
| When would you use that word? | Ta’nuk ki’l we’wtesk net klusuaqn ? | |
| How would I use that word? | Tal-we’wtesk net klusuaqn? | |
| I want to ask you something. | Ketu’ pipanimul na’tukoqoey. | |
| How do you say “eggs”? | Tal tluen “eggs” l’nu-ituk? | |
| Say it slowly. | Pawi tlue | |
| Please say it again. | Tl-wla’li tlue app | |
| What? | Koqoey? | |
| Pardon? | Taluenek? | |
| Can you use Mi’kmaw to explain what you are doing? | Kisi teluwetesk I’nuwiktuk ta’n tel-lukwen? |
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| Can you tell me a story in Mi’kma’q? | Kisi a’tukewitesk Mi’kmawiktuk |
Translated by William Jeddore – Eskasoni
The sections that follow in this chapter include opportunities to continue to build your Mi’kmaw conversational skills.
