In Our Languages: Kumeyaay

by Virginia Christman

Virginia Christman and her good friend talk about the weather in Kumeyaay:

Virg: Howka Chekal, pilly ahoon ehan pawa, Hachuur absull, meyipa?

Friend: Ha Ee’ Chocutt! A chetch pilly ahoon aalop.

Virg: Ha uuyaaw, nya’aak werraap.

Friend: Kom ha kwinilly kasee, napoom mehan.

Virg: Ha Chetch hun me c’nopum; chetch on illy way may, nyapoom aaw ehllyap wechaw.

Friend: Ha, poom m’wa pin.

Virg: Ha Chikal, achetch om, nya wuuw.

Friend: Ha, nyawuuwma Ha.

Virg: Hello my good friend, how have you been, it’s a good night, but it’s cold outside. You feel

that?

Friend: Yes! It’s real cold, I think it’s gonna snow.

Virg: Yeah I know, I can feel it, my bones hurt.

Friend: Drink some hot coffee, you’ll feel good.

Virg: Yeah I think your right, I’m gonna go get wood and make a fire lol.

Friend: Then your house is going to be too hot lol.

Virg: You know it lol. Well I’m gonna go, I’ll see you.

Friend: Yeah I’ll see ya.