DialectsDialects

Northern vs Southern PotawatomiNorthern vs Southern Potawatomi

Although there are some different words from community Although there are some different words from community to community I prefer to focus on the similarities. The to community I prefer to focus on the similarities. The Potawatomi which we teach has been greatly influenced Potawatomi which we teach has been greatly influenced by the folks in Wisconsin but I do know a considerable by the folks in Wisconsin but I do know a considerable number of Kansas terminologies which I mix among my number of Kansas terminologies which I mix among my Potawatomi. I tend to think by learning both ways of Potawatomi. I tend to think by learning both ways of saying something you are able to adapt in either saying something you are able to adapt in either community.community.

Three Fires LanguageThree Fires Language

The largest difference occurs in the Potawatomi The largest difference occurs in the Potawatomi which is spoken in Canada in areas such as which is spoken in Canada in areas such as Cape Croker, Kettle Point, Wasaksing, and Cape Croker, Kettle Point, Wasaksing, and Walpole Island. This language is usually referred Walpole Island. This language is usually referred to as three fires because it has a mix of to as three fires because it has a mix of Potawatomi, Odawa and Ojibwe in it. They also Potawatomi, Odawa and Ojibwe in it. They also tend to favor the Fiero writing system in Canadatend to favor the Fiero writing system in Canada

Northern PotawatomiNorthern Potawatomi

They tend to favor the b sound over the p.They tend to favor the b sound over the p.The g sound over the k at least on initial The g sound over the k at least on initial

words.words.The t sound over the d.The t sound over the d.So up north they would say bama pi vs. So up north they would say bama pi vs.

pama pi in Kansas. Both mean later on.pama pi in Kansas. Both mean later on.

Southern Potawatomi or Kansas Southern Potawatomi or Kansas PotawatomiPotawatomi

They tend to favor the p sound over the b.They tend to favor the p sound over the b.The d sound over the t.The d sound over the t.The k sound over the g.The k sound over the g.So they would tend to say Pama pi while So they would tend to say Pama pi while

up north they say Bama pi for later on.up north they say Bama pi for later on.

The differenceThe difference

Basically if you put your hand up to your Basically if you put your hand up to your mouth and say pama pi and then bama pi mouth and say pama pi and then bama pi you will see the difference. One is voiced you will see the difference. One is voiced hence you feel air on your hand and one hence you feel air on your hand and one you don’t feel air. This is called a vowel you don’t feel air. This is called a vowel shift. On the p sound you really feel the air shift. On the p sound you really feel the air while on the b sound you don’t.while on the b sound you don’t.

So which one is rightSo which one is right

Neither. I believe that the true Potawatomi Neither. I believe that the true Potawatomi sound is somewhere between the two. sound is somewhere between the two. Remember we are using English letters to Remember we are using English letters to represent Potawatomi sounds. I think on represent Potawatomi sounds. I think on certain words they will tend to sound more certain words they will tend to sound more like p’s instead of b’s and some words will like p’s instead of b’s and some words will sound more like g’s instead of k’s.sound more like g’s instead of k’s.

There are some words which are There are some words which are different how come?different how come?

My speculation is that Potawatomi in Kansas My speculation is that Potawatomi in Kansas had later contact with Kickapoo and Sac and had later contact with Kickapoo and Sac and Fox while those in Wisconsin had later contact Fox while those in Wisconsin had later contact with Ojibwe and Odawa people. So occasionally with Ojibwe and Odawa people. So occasionally a word was borrowed. In fact the Kickapoo a word was borrowed. In fact the Kickapoo spoken in Kansas is extremely similar to Kansas spoken in Kansas is extremely similar to Kansas Potawatomi because so many Potawatomi Potawatomi because so many Potawatomi married into the Kickapoo tribe Potawatomi married into the Kickapoo tribe Potawatomi became the language of choice for most.became the language of choice for most.

A few different wordsA few different words

Southern wordSouthern word Northern WordNorthern WordKazho- Kazho- cat cat Mayos- Mayos- cat cat

Mshewe- Mshewe- rabbit rabbit Wabozo- Wabozo-rabbitrabbit

Binagchege- Binagchege- he/she cleanshe/she cleans Binchege- Binchege- he/she cleanshe/she cleans

ConclusionConclusion

The differences are slight. Focus on the The differences are slight. Focus on the similarities and you will be better off. As you similarities and you will be better off. As you learn Potawatomi take some time occasionally to learn Potawatomi take some time occasionally to learn the other word if you run across it. That learn the other word if you run across it. That way you can be respectful to the community you way you can be respectful to the community you are in when you speak.are in when you speak.