Dialects Northern vs Southern Potawatomi l Although there

Dialects

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

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

Northern Potawatomi They tend to favor the b sound over the p. l The g sound over the k at least on initial words. l The t sound over the d. l So up north they would say bama pi vs. pama pi in Kansas. Both mean later on. l

Southern Potawatomi or Kansas Potawatomi They tend to favor the p sound over the b. l The d sound over the t. l The k sound over the g. l So they would tend to say Pama pi while up north they say Bama pi for later on. l

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

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

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

A few different words Southern word Kazho- cat Mshewe- rabbit Binagchege- he/she cleans Northern Word Mayos- cat Wabozo-rabbit Binchege- he/she cleans

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