A production of
Mt. Sanford Tribal Consortium
Native Language Program
Funded by
Creation and Printing of Series funded by Grant #90NL0299 from the Administration for Native Americans, Grant #S356A030043 from the Alaska Native Education Program of the Department of Education (DOE-ANE). Web conversion funded by Grant #S356A170083 from DOE-ANE.
Chistochina Ahtna Language Lessons
ISBN 0-9760483-8-8
This title is part of the MSTC Ahtna Language Series
This book is based on a design developed by
Yukon Native Language Centre, John T. Ritter, Director 1977-2017
YNLC illustrations and photos used by permission
Cover design and sound by Paula Elmes, ImageCraft Publications & Design
Web design and sound conversion by AE Data, Inc
Sound and web function correction by Frostline Productions, LLC
Continuity from print to web version by Alaska History Projects, LLC
Foreword
You are using a web representation of a title in the Mt. Sanford Tribal Consortium’s MSTC Ahtna Language Series (2009), which is further discussed in the Introduction. In 2018, the interactive computer CDs that accompanied six in the ten book series were used in conversion to web design. It is hoped that reformatting these important Alaska Native language educational materials will extend the lessons for self-study to learners who make exclusive use of web-access devices other than computers. This book is organized to reflect the traditional seasonal patterns of Athabascan people and designed to provide structured lessons throughout a school year. For the convenience of the independent learner, the menu highlights topics of interest within the monthly structure. A stable internet connection is required to play selections of the voice recordings without delays.
Preface — Lena Charley (1930- )
Left to right: Evelyn Beeter, Katie John, Lena Charley, and Cynthea Ainsworth. (Photo by John Ritter 2003)
The featured Ahtna language speaker in this volume is Elder, Lena Charley. She was born in 1930 upriver from present day Chistochina. Lena was raised by her mother, Daisy Nicholai, the oldest child of Sarah and Chief Sanford Charley. Lena’s father, who died young, was the son of Chief Nicholai at Indian River. As Lena was growing up, she moved with her mother and sisters between Twin Lakes and Batzulnetas in the Upper Copper River Valley. Long after the death of her first husband, Daisy resettled her family in the Nabesna Bar area to marry Jack John Justin, the son of Nabesna John.
As a child, Lena heard several Indian languages and dialects, particularly Ahtna and Upper Tanana, comprising a geographic range from the confluence of the Sanford River in Alaska to the Beaver Creek area in the Yukon, Canada. Lena’s relatives regularly traveled to Knik, near Anchorage, and to Dawson and the White River areas of Canada, where they communicated with people speaking Hän and Southern Tutchone. Her step-father was widely traveled and spoke more than one language represented along the eastern, south-central border with Canada. Lena spoke no English in 1960 when she settled in Chistochina with her husband, Jerry Charley from Gakona, Alaska, who is a speaker of the Lower Ahtna dialect. Lena primarily speaks the Upper Ahtna dialect of Batzulnetas and Mentasta. However, like all multilingual Elders of her generation, she occasionally uses words from the other languages and dialects she learned growing up.
Introduction
Mt. Sanford Tribal Consortium’s MSTC Ahtna Language Series is the first new, classroom-based language material published for study of the Ahtna language since 1975. MSTC’s first editions (2000) of the Language Lessons in all five dialects were a milestone in materials development for in-school programs and adult independent study of the Ahtna language. The Series (2009) represents the first linguistically supported effort to establish literacy materials for the entire Ahtna region, stimulating the first practical efforts at standardizing spelling in order to make the leap from linguistic description to local Native literacy in Ahtna. These materials demonstrate MSTC’s continuing commitment to language and culture preservation in strong Native communities.
Native language has been taught in the Chistochina school since the late 1960s. Elders, Maggie Joe, Ruby Sinyon, and Lena Charley have taught animal names, important phrases, and short sentences along with beading and culturally appropriate behavior. Classes have been supported with funds from JOM, school district bilingual education allotments, the Cheesh Na’ Village Council, as well as MSTC grants from Learn and Serve, Administration for Native Americans, and the Alaska Native Education (Department of Education) programs. Each of the Elder teachers mentioned above brought full fluency in the Native language and her own unique style of teaching children. Students remember each one with fond memories. Through the years, several community members and relatives have helped with language classes. Elders were joined in 2004 by Jessica Denny, who worked as Lena Charley’s teaching apprentice in Chistochina. Jessica, who was not fully fluent when she started, is the first young person from Chistochina to earn YNLC’s Teaching Native Languages Certificate in 2007 (3 year applied teaching and linguistics program) and complete a BA in Anthropology at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks in 2008.
The first edition of the Chistochina Ahtna Language Lessons (2000) was based on the Tanacross Basic Lessons publication from the Yukon Native Language Centre (YNLC). The 2000 edition featured the collaboration of Lena Charley working with linguist, Professor Emeritus James Kari, who wrote the first dictionaries for the Ahtna language in 1975 and 1990. This second edition of the Chistochina Ahtna Language Lessons (2009) was reorganized, re-recorded, translated, and transcribed, by linguist, John Ritter, the YNLC founding director, who has over 25 years experience helping communities in the Yukon and Alaska develop classroom materials for indigenous languages. Ritter’s second edition contributes new vocabulary and further documents the Upper Ahtna dialect. Special thanks to linguists, John Ritter, André Bourcier, and Professor Siri Tuttle for their generous advice, as well as YNLC computer specialists, Doug Hunt and Sheila Maisson. Recording and production of the MSTC Ahtna Language Series (2003–09) was partially funded by grants, from the Administration for Native Americans and the Department of Education, and by contributions from MSTC, the editor, the Yukon Native Language Centre, and Paula Elmes, graphic artist with the Alaska Native Knowledge Network, and ImageCraft Publications and Design. The YNLC book design for this text is used by permission, including illustrations by Chris Caldwell, Ted Harrison, Evelyn Kirkaldy, and Susan McCallum.
Cynthea L. Ainsworth, Ph.D.
Editor, MSTC Ahtna Language Series
April 2018
September Lessons
Greetings
How are you?
Nts’e dit’ae?
I am fine.
Ugheli ‘ełaen.
How about you?
Nen du’?
Me too, I’m fine.
Sii du’, ugheli ‘ełaen.
How is he/she?
Ghan du’, nts’e nt’ae?
He/she is fine.
Ugheli nlaen.
How are you (plural)?
Nts’e doht’ae?
We are fine.
Ugheli ts’ilaen.
Weather
How is it outside?
Na’aaxe nts’e tkut’ae?
It is sunny.
Saa kedi’aan.
It is cloudy.
K’os kulaen.
It is foggy.
‘Aak kulaen.
It is raining.
Łcaan.
It is windy.
Łts’ii.
People
Who is this?
Ghan bedi nt’aey?
This is a young man.
Gaann du’ ciił nt’ae.
This is a woman.
Gaann du’ ts’akae nt’ae.
This is a little boy.
Gaann du’ ciił ggaay nt’ae.
This is a girl.
Gaann du’ ts’akae ggaay nt’ae.
This is a baby.
Gaann du’ sc’enggaay nt’ae.
This is a child.
Gaann du’ sc’aen nt’ae.
Fish
What is this?
Gaann di’ nt’aey?
This is a pike.
Gaani du’ c’ulgaadzi nt’ae.
This is a grayling.
Gaani du’ segele nt’ae.
This is a fish.
Gaani du’ tsabaey nt’ae.
This is a salmon.
Gaani du’ łuk’ae.
This is a king salmon.
Gaani du’ łuk’ae ce’e nt’ae.
This is a lake trout.
Gaani du’ baet.
This is a ling cod, burbot.
Gaani du’ ts’aann.
This is a pin-nose whitefish.
Gaani du’ kasten’.
This is a dolly varden.
Gaani du’ ts’engastlaeggi.
Berries
What is this?
Gaann di’ nt’aey?
This is a berry.
Gaani du’ gigi.
This is a high-bush cranberry.
Gaani du’ tsanłtsaey.
This is a low-bush cranberry.
Gaani du’ xay gige’.
This is a salmonberry.
Gaani du’ nkaał.
This is a raspberry.
Gaani du’ denc’ogge’.
This is a low-bush raspberry.
Gaani du’ dinc’ogge’.
This is a currant (red).
Gaani du’ danihnuuy.
This is a blackberry (crowberry).
Gaani du’ naht’aezi.
This is a rosehip.
Gaani du’ ncuus.
Rosehips have lots of seeds.
Ncuus bentse’ kulaen.
This is a silverberry.
Gaani du’ danihbaa’.
This is a bearberry.
Gaani du’ denes.
Activities
What are you doing?
Nts’e dit’aen?
I am fishing.
Nacnełgets.
What is the boy doing?
Ciił nts’e t’aen?
The boy is fishing.
Ciił nacnełgets.
What is the woman doing?
Ts’akae nts’e t’aen?
The woman is picking berries.
Ts’akae c’unebe’.
The woman is picking low-bush cranberries.
Ts’akae xay gigi’ ‘unebe’.
October Lessons
Names
What is your name?
Nen du’, nts’e nuze’?
My name is Lena.
Sii du’, Lena suze’.
What is his/her name?
Ghan du’ nts’e buze’?
His name is Frank.
Ghan du’ Frank buze’.
What is your Native (Athabascan) name?
Denae k’eh nts’e nuze’?
My (Native) name is Ts’estsi’ta’.
Ts’estsi’ta’ suze’.
Her (Native) name is Naneniłnaan.
Ghan du’ Naneniłnaan buze’.
Her (Native ) name is Kanats’elnaan.
Kanats’elnaan buze’.
Weather
It is fall time.
Nohtezk’aats.
It is winter.
Xey kulaen.
It is cold.
Kudezk’ats.
It is snowing.
Łyaas.
Is it windy?
Łts’ii da?
Yes, it is windy.
‘Aen’, łts’ii.
It is not windy.
K’ali’ łts’ii.
Is it sunny?
Saa kedi’aan da?
Yes, it is sunny.
‘Aen’, saa kedi’aan.
It is not sunny.
K’ali’ saa kedi’aan.
Animals
What do you see?
Ndi’i nghił’aen?
I see a rabbit.
Ggax nghał’aen.
I see a moose.
Deniigi nghał’aen.
I see a bull moose.
Nicuunn nghał’aen.
I see a cow moose.
Deyaaze nghał’aen.
I see a calf moose.
Detsiige’ nghał’aen.
Do you see any wolves?
Tikaann da nghił’aen?
Yes, I see lots of wolves.
‘Aen’, nelt’e’e tikaann nghał’aen.
Do you see any sheep?
Debae nghił’aen? (or) Debae da nghił’aen?
I see lots of sheep.
Debae nelt’e’e nghał’aen.
I see lots of bears.
Sos nelt’e’e nghał’aen.
I see lots of caribou.
Udzih nelt’e’e nghał’aen.
Giving and Taking
Give me the axe.
Cen’aay nde’.
Here, (take this).
Na’.
Give me the knife.
Tsactsii nde’.
Here, (take this).
Na’.
Bush Objects
Give me the gun.
Nde’, k’a’. (and) K’a’ nde’.
Give me the bullets.
Nde’, k’a’tse’.
Give me the knife.
Nde’, tsactsii.
Give me the small knife.
Nde’, tsactsii ggaay. (and) Tsactsii ggaay nde’.
Give me the snowshoes.
Nde’, ‘aas. (and) ‘Aas nde’.
Activities
What are you doing?
Nts’e dit’aen?
I am going hunting.
Staxacdiistaan.
What is she doing?
Nts’e t’aen?
He/she is going hunting.
Staxacdetiis.
What is the man doing?
Denae nts’e t’aen?
The man is going hunting.
Denae staxacdetiis.
Hunting For Specific Game
What are you going hunting for?
Ndi’i ‘uka naxacditiis?
I am hunting for moose.
Deniigi ‘uka naxacdestiis.
I am hunting for caribou.
Udzih ka naxacdestiis.
I am hunting for sheep.
Debae ‘uka naxacdestiis.
What is that man hunting for?
Denae ndi’i ‘uka naxacdetiis?
That man is hunting for caribou.
Denae udzih ‘uka naxacdetiis.
That man is hunting for moose.
Denae deniigi ‘uka naxacdetiis.
There are lots of game animals.
Nunyae ggaay kulaen.
November Lessons
Weather
Is it snowing?
Łyaas da?
Yes, it is snowing.
‘Aen’, łyaas.
It is not snowing.
K’ali’ łyaas. (or) K’ali’i łyaaze.
Is it cold?
Kudezk’ats da?
Yes, it is cold.
‘Aen’, kudezk’ats.
It is not cold.
K’ali’ kudezk’adze.
It is winter.
Xey kulaen.
It’s cold inside the house.
Konax yii kudezk’ats.
Food
Are you hungry?
Ditsiin da?
Yes, I am hungry.
‘Aen’, destsiin.
I am not hungry.
K’ali’ destsiin.
Is Evelyn hungry?
Evelyn ditsiin da?
Yes, Evelyn is hungry.
‘Aen’, Evelyn ditsiin.
Evelyn is not hungry.
Evelyn, k’ali’ ditsiin.
What do you want?
Ndi’i ‘eyni’izen?
I want dry meat.
C’etsen’ ggan sdestlaan.
I want dry fish.
Ba’ sdestlaan. (or) Ba’ zggani sdestlaan.
I want some soup.
Taas sdestlaan.
I want some meat soup.
C’etsen’ tu’ sdestlaan.
Do you want salmon?
Łuk’ae ‘eyni’izen?
Yes, I want salmon.
‘Aen’, łuk’ae sdestlaan.
I want fermented fish heads.
Nełk’ołi sdestlaan.
What does the boy want?
Ciił ggaay ndi’i ‘eyni’izen?
The boy wants dry fish.
Ciił ggaay ba’ idestlaan.
The boy wants berries.
Ciił ggaay gigi idestlaan.
Actions
What are you doing?
Nts’e dit’aen?
I am eating.
C’esyaan.
What is Kanats’elnaan doing?
Kanats’elnaan nts’e t’aen?
Kanats’elnaan is eating.
Kanats’elnaan c’eyaan.
Kanats’elnaan is drinking tea.
Kanats’elnaan tsaey tnaan.
What are you doing?
Nts’e dit’aen?
I am eating fry bread.
C’aan nanest’aey esyaan.
I am eating dry meat.
C’etsen’ zggani esyaan.
What is Kanats’elnaan eating?
Kanats’elnaan ndi’i yaan?
Kanats’elnaan is eating dry fish.
Kanats’elnaan ba’ zggani yaan.
Are You Thirsty?
Are you thirsty?
Tuu ndestlaan da?
Yes, I want water.
‘Aen’, tuu sdestlaan.
I do not want water.
K’ali’ tuu sdilaha.
Do you want tea?
Tsaey ndestlaan da?
Yes, I want tea.
‘Aen’, tsaey sdestlaan.
I do not want tea.
K’ali’ tsaey sdilaha.
What are you drinking?
Ndi’i ‘itnaan?
I am drinking cold water.
Tuu nesk’adzi estnaan.
Verb Charts
Verb Charts — Eating and Drinking
am / are / is eating (eating something).
I
c’esyaan
we
‘sc’eyaan
you (sing.)
c’iyaan
you (pl.)
c’ohyaan
he/she
c’eyaan
they
c’ekeyaan
am / are / is eating salmon.
I
łuk’ae esyaan
we
łuk’ae ts’eyaan
you (sing.)
łuk’ae iyaan
you (pl.)
łuk’ae ohyaan
he/she
łuk’ae yaan
they
łuk’ae kiiyaan
am / are / is drinking water.
I
tuu estnaan
we
tuu ts’etnaan
you (sing.)
tuu itnaan
you (pl.)
tuu ohtnaan
he/she
tuu tnaan
they
tuu ketnaan
Bush Objects
Where is the trap?
Nt’ii ‘aeł? (or) ‘Aeł du’ nt’ii?
Here is the trap.
Gaadu’ ‘aeł.
Where is the tent?
Nt’ii tazes? (or) Tazes du’ nt’ii?
Here is the tent.
Gaadu’ tazes.
Where are the snowshoes?
Nt’ii ‘aas? (or) ‘Aas du’ nt’ii?
Here are the snowshoes.
Gaadu’ ‘aas.
Where is your packsack?
Nt’ii nghael’ zes? (or) Nghael’ zes du’ nt’ii?
Here is my packsack.
Gaadu’ sghael’ zes.
December Lessons
Conversations
Are you cold?
Zidlii da?
Yes, I am cold.
‘Aen’, isdlii.
I am not cold.
K’ali’ ‘esdleh.
The girl is cold.
Ts’akae ggaay sdlii.
The boy is cold.
Ciił ggaay sdlii.
My dog is cold.
Slic’ae’ sdlii.
Brr, it’s cold!
‘Edlii!
Relatives
Who is that person?
Bedi nt’aenn?
This is my mother.
Gaann du’ snaan.
This is my father.
Gaann du’ sta’.
This is my grandmother.
Gaann du’ stsucde.
This is my grandfather.
Gaann du’ stsiye.
Who do you see?
Bedi’i nghił’aen?
I see my older brother.
Sunghae nghał’aen.
I see my younger brother.
Scele nghał’aen.
I see my older sister.
Sadae nghał’aen.
I see my younger sister.
Sdaedze’ nghał’aen.
I see my uncle (mother’s brother).
Sez’ae nghał’aen.
I see my uncle (father’s brother).
Staay nghał’aen.
I see my aunt (mother’s sister).
Sak’eye nghał’aen.
I see my aunt (father’s sister).
Sbets’e’ nghał’aen.
Activities
What is my younger brother doing?
Scele nts’e t’aen?
My younger brother is sleeping.
Scele ztaen.
My younger brother is sitting.
Scele zdaa.
My younger brother is standing.
Scele nadzen.
My younger brother is running.
Scele ghaltseł.
My younger brother is dancing.
Scele c’eldzes.
What are you doing?
Nts’e dit’aen?
I am sewing.
Nancneskaan’.
I am sleeping.
Zestaen.
I am sitting.
Zesdaa.
I am standing.
Nghasdzen.
I am running.
Ghaltseł.
I am dancing.
C’eldzes.
I am walking along.
Ghasyaał.
What is the man doing?
Denae nts’e t’aen?
The man is dancing.
Denae c’eldzes.
What is the woman doing?
Ts’akae nts’e t’aen?
The woman is sewing.
Ts’akae nancnekaan’.
What is the boy doing?
Ciił nts’e t’aen?
The boy is walking along.
Ciił ghayaał.
What is my grandmother doing?
Stsucde nts’e t’aen?
My grandmother is sitting.
Stsucde zdaa.
Where Do You Live?
Where do you stay?
Ndae zidaa?
I stay in Chistochina.
Tsestl’ets Na’ zesdaa.
I stay in Slana.
Stl’aa Caegge zesdaa.
I stay at Tanada Lake.
Tanaade Men’ zesdaa.
I stay at Gakona.
Ggax Kuna’ zesdaa.
I stay at Gulkana.
Gulc’ena’ zesdaa.
I stay at Nabesna.
Nabaesna’ zesdaa.
I stay at Mentasta Lake.
Mendaesde Men’ zesdaa.
I stay at Twin Lakes.
Men Nełgha’aa Delyaan den zesdaa.
I stay in the bush.
Ts’eł ta zesdaa.
I stay in town.
Kon’ ta zesdaa.
Possessives
Chart of Possessive Prefixes
my
s-
our
ne-
your (sing.)
n-
your (pl.)
nuh-
his/her
u-, b-
their
xu-
Example: dog łic’ae
my dog
slic’ae’
our dog
nelic’ae’
your (sing.) dog
nlic’ae’
your (pl.) dog
nuhlic’ae’
his/her dog
ulic’ae’
their dog
xulic’ae’
his/her own dog
delic’ae’
Possessives: Sample Sentences
The dog is standing.
Łic’ae nadzen.
My dog is standing.
Slic’ae’ nadzen.
Your dog is standing.
Nlic’ae’ nadzen.
His/her dog is standing.
Ulic’ae’ nadzen.
Our dog is standing.
Nelic’ae’ nadzen.
Your (plural) dog is standing.
Nuhlic’ae’ nadzen.
Their dog is standing.
Xulic’ae’ nadzen.
She’s looking after her (own) dog.
Delic’ae’ k’anełta’.
January Lessons
Body Parts
This is his/her head.
Gaann du’ utse’.
This is his/her neck.
Gaann du’ uk’os.
This is his/her arm.
Gaann du’ uggaann’.
This is his/her chest.
Gaann du’ uzic.
This is his/her ear.
Gaann du’ udzaghe’.
This is his/her stomach.
Gaann du’ utsaal’.
This is his/her hair.
Gaann du’ utsigha’.
This is my tooth.
Gaann du’ sghu’.
This is my face.
Gaann du’ snaen’.
This is my eye.
Gaann du’ snaegge’.
This is my nose.
Gaann du’ sentsiis.
This is my ear.
Gaann du’ sdzaghe’.
This is my foot.
Gaann du’ ske’.
This is my knee.
Gaann du’ sggot’.
This is my elbow.
Gaann du’ sts’os.
Activities
What is he/she doing?
Nts’e t’aen?
He/she is crying.
Tsagh.
He/she is sewing.
Nancnekaan’.
He/she is playing.
Delghos.
He/she is packing water.
Tuu naatkaał.
What are you doing?
Nts’e dit’aen?
I am crying.
‘Estsagh.
I am sewing.
Nancneskaan’.
I am playing.
Delghos.
I am packing water.
Tuu naastkaał.
What is my auntie doing?
Sak’eye nts’e t’aen?
My auntie is sewing.
Sak’eye nancnekaan’.
What is my uncle doing?
Sez’ae nts’e t’aen?
My uncle is packing water.
Sez’ae tuu naatkaał.
Objects
This is a cup.
Gaann du’ tutiił.
This is his/her cup.
Gaann du’ ututiil’.
This is a spoon.
Gaann du’ skaa.
This is your spoon.
Gaann du’ neskaa’.
This is a plate.
Gaann du’ ts’aac.
This is my plate.
Gaann du’ sts’aage’.
This is a blanket.
Gaann du’ ts’ede’.
This is our blanket.
Gaann du’ nets’edae’.
This is a cane.
Gaann du’ tets’.
This is my cane.
Gaann du’ stedze’.
Is this your cup?
Gaann du’ ntutiil’?
Yes, it is my cup.
‘Aen’, gaann du’ stutiil’.
It is not my cup.
K’ali’ stutiil’ ‘ilehe.
February Lessons
Speaking Native Language
Do you speak the Native (Athabascan) Language?
Denae k’eh da hniyaes?
Yes, I speak the Native (Athabascan) Language
Aen’, Denae k’eh hnesyaes.
Yes, I speak a little Native (Athabascan) Language.
Aen’, Denae k’eh xa’k’a hnesyaes.
Walking To
Where are you walking to?
Ndehts’e’ ghiyaał?
I am walking to the lake.
Men ts’e’ ghesyaał.
I am walking to the school.
Dohdeldiix ts’e’ ghesyaał.
I am walking to the store.
C’utkaet ts’e’ ghesyaał.
I am walking to my friend’s (house).
Stlaen ts’e’ ghesyaał.
Where is he/she walking to?
Ndehts’e’ ghayaał?
He/she is walking to the lake.
Ben ts’e’ ghayaał.
He/she is walking to the school.
Dohdeldiix ts’e’ ghayaał.
He/she is walking to the store.
C’utkaet ts’e’ ghayaał.
Clothing
What do you have?
Ndi’i zilaa?
I have clothes.
Yu’ zełaa.
I have mitts.
Gets’ zełaa.
I have moccasins.
Kentsiis zełaa.
I have socks.
Tel zełaa.
I have hats.
Tsic’uus zełaa.
I have pants.
Seł zełaa.
I have shirts.
Deghaec zełaa.
Where are my mitts?
Nt’ii sgedze’?
Where are my moccasins?
Nt’ii skentsiiz?
Where are my socks?
Nt’ii stele’?
Where is my hat?
Nt’ii stsic’uuz?
Where are my pants?
Nt’ii ssele’?
Where is my shirt?
Nt’ii sdaghaege’?
Fire
Do you have matches?
Kon’ dizilaa da? (or) Kon’ da dizilaa?
Yes, I have matches.
Aen’, kon’ diiłaa.
I do not have matches.
K’ali’ kon’ diiłaa. (or) Kon’ li’ diiłaha.
Do you have firewood?
Tsets dizilaa da?
Yes, I have firewood.
Aen’, tsets diiłaa.
What do you have?
Ndi’i dizilaa?
I have dry spruce branches (twigs).
Dats’iisi diiłaa.
I have wood shavings.
C’ezaes diiłaa.
What is he/she doing?
Nts’e t’aen?
He/she is making a fire.
Nakon’dełk’aas.
What are you doing?
Nts’e dit’aen?
I am making a fire.
Sii du’, kon’ dełk’aas.
Make fire!
Kon’ diłk’aas!
Cut some firewood.
Tsets ‘itsaeł.
Commands
Come here!
‘Aani!
Go away!
‘Enn’!
You (1) sit down!
Zidaa!
You guys sit down!
Dezolts’ii!
Stand up (1)!
Nidzen!
You guys stand up!
Nidozolyaa!
March Lessons
Understanding Native Language
Do you understand the Native (Athabascan) language?
Denae di’its’ak da?
Yes, I understand the Native (Athabascan) language.
‘Aen’, Denae de’ests’ak.
Yes, I understand a bit of the Native (Athabascan) language.
‘Aen’, xa’k’a Denae de’ests’ak.
Do you understand me?
Sdi’its’ak da?
Yes, I understand you.
‘Aen’, nde’ests’ak.
Yes, I understand you a bit.
‘Aen’, xa’k’a nde’ests’ak.
How are you?
How are you?
Nts’e dit’ae?
I am sick.
‘Ests’aat.
I have a headache.
Stse’ ghits’aat.
I have a toothache.
Sghu’ ghits’aat.
I am fine.
Ugheli ‘ełaen.
I got better.
Ugheli naysdlaen.
Are you tired?
Taghitnak da?
Yes, I’m a little tired.
‘Aen’, xa’k’a taghastnak.
Yes, I’m really tired.
‘Aen’, t’ae’ taghastnak.
I am sleepy.
Naał sdila’.
Numbers
one
ts’ełk’ey
two
nadaeggi
three
taaggi
four
denc’ii
five
‘ałts’eni
six
gistaann
seven
konts’aghi
eight
łk’edenc’ii
nine
k’etnesi
ten
hwlazaan
How many spruce did you see?
Nduuy ts’ebael nghił’aen’?
I saw one spruce.
Ts’ebael ts’ełk’ey nghał’aen’.
I saw two spruce.
Ts’ebael nadaeggi nghał’aen’.
I saw lots of spruce.
Ts’ebael nelt’e’e nghał’aen’.
I didn’t see any spruce.
K’ali’ ts’ebael nghał’aen’.
The Sky
What did you see in the sky?
Yaak’et ndi’i nghił’aen’?
I saw the stars.
Son’ nghał’aen’.
I saw the moon.
Ghaldzaey nghał’aen’.
I saw the sun.
Saa nghał’aen’.
I saw the clouds.
K’os nghał’aen’.
I saw a rainbow.
Tsulahdzaey ggaal’ nghał’aen’.
I saw the aurora borealis, the “northern lights”.
Yadebaey nghał’aen’.
Classificatory Verbs-1 Give Me
Give me the rock.
Ts’es sle’i’aas.
Give me the hat.
Tsic’uus sle’i’aas.
Give me the tea (in a cup).
Tsaey sle’ikaas.
Give me the water (in a cup).
Tuu sle’ikaas.
Give me the puppy.
Łiggaay sle’iłtaes.
Give me the baby.
Sc’enggaay sle’iłtaes.
Walking to Land Forms
Where are you walking to?
Ndehts’e’ ghiyaał?
I am walking to the mountain.
Dzeł ts’e’ ghesyaał.
I am walking to the hill.
Tes ts’e’ ghesyaał.
I am walking to the creek.
C’ena’ ts’e’ ghesyaał.
I am walking to the lake.
Ben ts’e’ ghesyaał.
I am walking to the river.
Ts’itu’ ts’e’ ghesyaał.
I am walking to Pike Lake.
C’ulgaadze Menn’ ts’e’ ghesyaał.
April Lessons
Daytime
It is daytime.
Dzaenn kulaen.
It is noon (mid-day).
Dzaenn taniidze kulaen.
It is morning.
Secagha kulaen.
It is night.
Tets kulaen.
It is midnight.
Tets taniidze kulaen.
Spring
It is springtime.
Daan’ kuzdlaen.
Is the snow melting?
Nadaexi ta’udezdlet da?
Yes, the snow is melting.
‘Aen’, nadaexi ta’udezdlet.
Is it getting warm?
Nohtnelkuun’ da?
Yes, it is getting warm.
‘Aen’, nohtnelkuun’.
Is it cold?
Kudezk’ats da?
Yes, it is still cold.
‘Aen’, dats’ii kudezk’ats.
Yes, it is a little cold.
‘Aen’, xa’k’a kudezk’ats.
It is really cold.
T’ae’ kudezk’ats.
Animal Tracks
What kind of tracks are these?
Ndi’i k’eh?
These are wolf tracks.
Gaann du’ tikaann k’eh.
These are mouse tracks.
Gaann du’ dluunn k’eh.
These are beaver tracks.
Gaann du’ tsa’ k’eh.
These are moose tracks.
Gaann du’ deniigi k’eh.
These are caribou tracks.
Gaann du’ udzih k’eh.
These are wolverine tracks.
Gaann du’ nałtsiis k’eh.
These are lynx tracks.
Gaann du’ niduuy k’eh.
These are fox tracks.
Gaann du’ naggets’i k’eh.
Colors
What is this?
Ndi’ nt’aey?
This is a black hat.
Gaann du’ tsic’uus lt’uuts’.
This is a white hat.
Gaann du’ tsic’uus lggey.
This is a red hat.
Gaann du’ tsic’uus lt’eli.
This is a brown hat.
Gaann du’ tsic’uus ltsogh.
This is a grey hat.
Gaann du’ tsic’uus lbaa.
This is a dark blue hat.
Gaann du’ tsic’uus datl’ets’i.
Birds
I see a bird.
Ggaaggi nghał’aen.
The bird is flying around.
Ggaaggi natnet’ax.
Birds are flying around.
Ggaaggi natnedeł.
Snowbirds are flying around.
Ggaex natnedeł.
What is the duck doing?
Dats’eni nts’e t’aen?
The duck is flying around.
Dats’eni natnet’ax.
The ducks are flying around.
Dats’eni natnedeł.
I see an owl.
Besiinn nghał’aen.
I see an eagle.
Tuudi nghał’aen.
I see a mallard duck.
T’aay cogh nghał’aen.
The grouse is making a nest.
‘Eł deyaani det’ox łtsii.
The raven is eating.
Tsaghani c’eyaan.
The goose is walking around.
Xax natedaas.
The goose is walking around in the grass.
Xax tl’ogh ta natedaas.
The swan is swimming around.
Taggos natetbaes.
One duck is swimming around.
Ts’ełk’ey dats’eni natetbaes.
Lots of ducks are swimming around.
Nelt’e’e dats’eni natel’oł.
Postposition
Where is the dog sitting?
Łic’ae ndae zdaa?
The dog is sitting on its house.
Łic’ae dekonaa’ k’et dazdaa.
The dog is sitting in its house.
Łic’ae dekonaa’ yii zdaa.
The dog is sitting in front of the house entrance.
Łic’ae dekonaa’ niłdaagge zdaa.
The dog is sitting behind its house.
Łic’ae dekonaa’ ghanii ts’en zdaa.
The dog is sitting beside its house.
Łic’ae dekonaa’ k’eze zdaa.
The dog is sitting under its house.
Łic’ae dekonaa’ t’aax zdaa.
May Lessons
Weather
Is it raining outside?
Na’aaxe łcaan da?
Yes, it is still raining.
‘Aen’, dats’ii łcaan.
Is it muddy?
Łic’ak kulaen da?
Yes, it is still muddy.
‘Aen’, łic’ak dats’ii kulaen.
My shoes are muddy.
Ske’ łic’ak neghidaek.
Is it cloudy?
K’os kulaen da?
Yes, it is still cloudy.
‘Aen’, dats’ii k’os kulaen.
Is the ice breaking up?
Ten tełdaek da?
Yes, the ice is breaking up.
Aen’, ten tełdaek.
Is the ice melting?
Ten ‘udezdlet da?
Yes, the ice is melting.
Aen’, ten ‘udezdlet.
The road is slippery.
Teni kułket.
Tanning Hides
This is a hide.
Gaann du’ c’ezes nt’ae.
What (kind of) hide is this?
Ndi’i zes nt’aey?
This is a moose hide.
Deniigi zes nt’ae.
This is a caribou hide.
Udzih zes nt’ae.
What is her/his mother doing?
Unaan nts’e t’aen?
She is tanning (working on) a hide.
C’ezes gha ghetnaa.
What are you doing?
Nen du’, nts’e dit’aen?
I am tanning (working on) a hide.
Sii du’, c’ezes gha ghestnaa.
Insects
This is a mosquito.
Gaann du’ kuggaedi.
This is a fly.
Gaann du’ don’.
The fly is flying around.
Don’ natnet’ax.
This is a butterfly.
Gaann du’ lahleli.
The butterfly is flying around.
Lahleli natnet’ax.
This is a spider.
Gaann du’ tsulahdzaey.
The spider is making a web.
Tsulahdzaey deggaal’ dantl’u’.
The spider is crawling around.
Tsulahdzaey nateduus.
This is an ant.
Gaann du’ nadosi.
What is the ant doing?
Nadosi nts’e t’aen?
The ant is crawling around.
Nadosi nateduus.
This is a mosquito.
Gaann du’ kuggaedi.
The mosquito stung me.
Kuggaedi seyaan.
In summer there are lots of mosquitoes.
Saen ta kuggaedi kulaen.
Young Animals
In spring the young animals are born.
Daan’ ta nunyae ggaay kulaen.
This is a moose calf.
Detsiige’ ggaay nt’ae.
This is a baby rabbit.
Ggax ggaay nt’ae.
This is a bear cub.
Sos ggaay nt’ae.
What do you see?
Ndi’i nghił’aen?
I see a wolf pup.
Tikaann ggaay nghał’aen.
I see a baby fox.
Naggets’i ggaay nghał’aen.
I see the puppies.
Łiggaay nghał’aen.
Classificatory Verbs-2 Give Me
Give me the paper.
Giligak sle’iłniis.
Give me the blanket.
Ts’ede’ sle’iłniis.
Give me the gun.
K’a’ sle’ditiis.
Give me the stick.
Decen sle’ditiis.
Give me the moccasins.
Kentsiis sle’ilae.
Give me the bullets.
K’a’tse’ sle’ilae.
June Lessons
Weather
Is it summertime?
Saen nakusdlaen da?
Yes, it is summertime.
Aen’, saen nakusdlaen.
Is it warm for you?
Ni’ilkon’ da?
Yes, it is warm for me.
‘Aen’, ne’elkon’.
It is not warm for me.
Li’ ne’elkon’o.
Walking Around
What is my younger sister doing?
Sdaedze’ nts’e t’aen?
My younger sister is walking around.
Sdaedze’ natedaas.
My younger sister is walking around with a walking stick (cane).
Sdaedze’ tets’ eł natedaas.
Where is she/he walking around?
Nduu natedaas?
She/he is walking around by the lake shore.
Ben baaghe natedaas.
She/he is walking around by the creek shore.
C’ena’ baaghe natedaas.
She/he is walking around by the Copper River.
Ts’itu’ baaghe natedaas.
She/he is walking around on the mountain.
Dzeł k’et natedaas.
She/he is walking around on the hill.
Tes k’et natedaas.
Where are you walking around?
Nduu natidaas?
I am walking around by the lake shore.
Men baaghe natesdaas.
I am walking around by the creek shore.
C’ena’ baaghe natesdaas.
I am walking around in the bush.
Ts’eł ta natesdaas.
I am walking around on the mountain (looking) for gophers.
Dzeł k’et tseles ka natesdaas.
Plants
What is this?
Ndi’i nt’aey?
This is a mushroom.
C’eney’ nt’ae.
This is grass.
Tl’ogh nt’ae.
This is wild rhubarb (sour dock).
T’aan’ łuus nt’ae.
This is wild celery.
Gguus nt’ae.
This is fireweed.
Tlac’usk’a’ nt’ae.
What is growing?
Ndi’i neyaex?
A mushroom is growing.
C’eney’ neyaex.
Wild rhubarb (sour dock) is growing.
T’aan’ łuus neyaex.
Wild celery is growing.
Gguus neyaex.
Fireweed is growing.
Tlac’usk’a’ neyaex.
Leaves are growing.
C’et’aan’ neyaex.
Cottonwood leaves are growing.
T’aghes t’aann’ neyaex.
Willow leaves are growing.
K’ey’ t’aann’ neyaex.
Alder leaves are growing.
K’es t’aann’ neyaex.
Useful Classroom Expressions
Be quiet (1 person)!
Dadzineh!
You guys be quiet!
Dadzohneh!
Yes.
‘Aen’.
No.
‘Ene’.
Listen (1)!
C’edi’its’ak!
You guys listen!
C’edo’ohts’ak!
Do you hear me?
Sdi’its’ak?
Yes, I hear you.
‘Aen’, nde’ests’ak.
I don’t hear you.
K’ali’ nde’ests’agge.
I don’t know.
Nsu’u.
What do they call this in the Native Language?
Gaann du’ nts’e heyuzii Denae k’eh?
Good!
Ugheli!
Really good!
T’ae’ ugheli!
It sounds good!
Ugheli dohdilaen!
Thank you!
Tsen’aen!
Get away!
‘Enn’!
Don’t do that!
‘Ene’ dazit’aenn!
You guys don’t do that!
‘Ene’ dazoht’aenn!
That’s enough!
Xonah!
It’s hot!
‘Ebeh!
It’s cold!
‘Edlih!
Poor thing!
Tegeh!
Goodbye.
Xonahaan.
Message from Lena Charley
I hope you will learn the People’s language.
Koht’aenn kenaege’ dohduldiixi.
I hope you will learn the Athabascan way.
Denae k’eh dohduldiixi.
Noun Index
Mt. Sanford Tribal Consortium’s MSTC Ahtna Language Series is the first published attempt to standardize spelling in Ahtna words to assist students in recognizing vocabulary. In 1975 the Alaska Native Language Center (ANLC) published the Ahtna Noun Dictionary by James Kari and Millie Buck. It offers the best documentation of different dialectal forms and organizes words by categories, like animals, seasons, and household objects, which makes it a very good tool for beginners. Kari’s Ahtna Athabaskan Dictionary was published by ANLC in 1990. Its index may offer different words or spellings for nouns in this book. If the forms in both texts are similar, both references are included below.
This Noun Index is an English-initial, alphabetized list to familiar nouns. References for the nouns in both of Kari’s dictionaries are listed with dialectal information when it is available. “M” or “U” refer to Mentasta or Upper Ahtna dialectal forms. “C” or “L” refer to Central or Lower Ahtna dialectal forms. If only one dictionary is referenced, the Upper Ahtna form was not available in the 1990 English-Ahtna index. Use Find in your browser to locate words in this list as they appear in sentences in the text.
