Lenape/Mohican Language
Language Corner
This Week's
words
Colors & Conversation
|
Lunaape |
English |
| Tha laapamukwsuw? | What colour is this? (animate) |
| Tha laapamukwat? | What colour is this? (inanimate) |
Inanimate & Animate Grammar Rules
It is important to remember that within the Lunaape language objects are either animate or inanimate. In using colours this distinction between animate and inanimate also applies as there are both animate and inanimate forms of colour that need to be used in agreement with the animate or inanimate objects they are describing.
|
ANIMATE |
INANIMATE |
|
| Red | Maxksuw | Maxkeew |
| Black | Nzuksuw | Nzukeew |
| White | Waapsuw | Waapeew |
| Yellow | Wiisaawsuw | Wiisaaweew |
| Blue | Oolihksuw | Oolihkeew |
| Green | Askaskwsuw | Askaskweew |
| Brown/Grey | Wiipongwsuw | Wiipongweew |
| Orange | Aalunjaapamukwsuw | Aalunjaapamukwat |
| This is a blue shirt. | Yoon ha heembut oolihkeew | |
| This is a black cat. | Wan ha pooshiish nzuksuw. |
Using Inanimate/Animate Colors
|
Lunaape |
English |
| Maxkii-heembut | Red shirt (inanimate) |
| Maxkii-awehleeshoosh | Red bird (animate) |
| Nzukii-aakongweepuy | Black hat (inanimate) |
| Nzukii-pooshiish | Black cat (animate) |
| Waapii-mahksunal | White shoes (inanimate) |
| Waapii-mooshkiingwus | White rabbit (animate) |
| Wiisaawii-waapasaanay | Yellow blanket (inanimate) |
| Wiisaawii-eemhwaanus | Yellow spoon (animate) |
| Oolihkii-apaamahkamihkeek | Blue sky (inanimate) |
| Oolihkii-namees | Blue fish (animate) |
| Askaskwii-wuniipakwal | Green leaves (inanimate) |
| Askaskwii-takwax | Green turtle (animate) |
| Wiipongwii-pulookal | Brown/Grey pants (inanimate) |
| Wiipongwii-maxkw | Brown/Grey bear (animate) |
| Aalunjaapamukwii-ashiikanal | Orange socks (inanimate) |
| Aalunjaapamukwii-namees | Orange fish (animate) |
| Maxkuleexun | Pink (inanimate) |
| Maxkuleexiin | Pink (animate) |
| Laaweewii-wiisakiimaapamukwat | Purple (inanimate) |
| Laaweewii-wiisakiimaapamukwsuw | Purple (Animate) |
| Laaweewii-wiisakiimaapamukwii-suwetul | Purple sweater (inanimate) |