How to Speak Nootka

Partial glossary from the Guardian’s report on the first-ever dictionary of Nootka, a 5,000-year-old island tribe’s language

Nuuniiqa To speak to someone you happen to meet

Deehiy Staying at home observing tribal taboos, so as not to spoil a hunter’s luck

Kampuucis High rubber boots (derived in part from English ‘gumboot’ of 18th-century colonial settlers)

Faafaaqsapa Someone who has mastered Nootka

Posted by Nathan Bierma on 06/06 at 03:17 PM
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