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The homeland of the people who spoke Lenape consisted of all of what is now New Jersey, the eastern portion of Pennsylvania, the northern portion of Delaware, and the south eastern portion of New York. According to Nora Thompson Dean by 1979 the number of people who were fluent speakers of the Lenape language was less than two dozen in the United States. Nora was very concern about the possibility on the Lenape language being lost for ever, so in 1979 she wrote a book called Lenape Language Lessons One and Two and recorded tapes on the proper translations of key words. It was her fond wish that the book and tapes would enable future generations of Lenape's to know their language. Standing Bear has taken excepts from the book and tapes which he has in his library to create this page and to keep Nora's wish alive.The voice you hear in the translations is that of Nora Thompson Dean.
Click here to see a picture of Nora Thompson Dean
English |
Lenape |
|---|---|
| 1."Hello" or "Hi" | HE |
| 2."Do you speak Lenape" | Ktalenixsi hach |
| 3. "I don't Know" | Taktani |
| 4. "I'am hungry" | Ngatunwi |
| 5."Let's Eat" | Mitsitam |
| 6. "Give me some coffee" | Mili Kapi |
| 7. "It is raining" | Sukelan |
| 8. "It is a good day" | Weli Kishku |
| 9. " It is snowing" | Wine |
| 10. "It is windy" | Kshaxen |
| 11. "It is thundering" | Pethakhon |
| 12. "The sky is clear" | Mushhakot |
| 13. "Come in or Go in" | Temike |
| 14. "Come here" | Wendaxa |
| 15. "Are you well" | Kulamalsi hach |
| 16. "I feel well" | Nulamalsi |
| 17. "I am sick" | Balsi |
| 18. "I am sleepy" | Ngatungom |
| 19."Goodbye" -"I see you again" | Lapich Knewell |
You can purchase the book and tapes from:
Delaware Tribe of Indians Gift Shop
