Introduction Of The Tripanick Language 

Tripanick is a constructed tribal language that draws from its historically shared language with the Nottoway language, with carefully integrated influences from Tuscarora and Mohawk, all of which share deep Iroquoian roots. This language was reconstructed  with the intention of providing a usable, spiritually meaningful, and culturally respectful form of communication for ceremony, daily life, teaching, and identity within a blended tribal community.

Each Tripanick word is thoughtfully crafted, combining traditional roots, phonetic compatibility, and symbolic depth. Where Nottoway lacks recorded vocabulary, Mohawk or Tuscarora elements are used to fill in, not as replacements but as respectful bridges—maintaining flow, honoring heritage, and reflecting shared values.

How the Tripanick Language Was Created

Tripanick is a blended language carefully crafted from three closely related Iroquoian languages: Nottoway, Mohawk, and Tuscarora. The goal was to cr eate a usable, ceremonial, and conversational language that respects the heritage of each while forming a cohesive whole.

• Primary source: Nottoway vocabulary and grammar were prioritized when available because of its close historical connection and richness in everyday and ceremonial terms.
  
  

• Secondary sources: Mohawk and Tuscarora words were included to fill gaps, especially for concepts .or ceremonial terms not fully represented in Nottoway.
  
  

• Blending: Some words combine elements or meanings from multiple languages to create terms that honor all three traditions.
  
  

• Selection criteria: Words chosen were those with cultural, spiritual, or practical significance. For example, words relating to ceremonies, family, nature, and daily life were included.
  
  

• Grammar and structure: Pronoun prefixes and sentence construction follow Nottoway patterns, with influence from Mohawk and Tuscarora syntax where it enhances clarity or flow.
  
  

This approach ensures Tripanick is a living language rooted in tradition, yet functional and accessible.

Wherever possible:

• Nottoway roots are prioritized due to their foundational role.
  
  

• Mohawk fills gaps where Nottoway terms are undocumented or lost.
  
  

• Tuscarora is used to refine and balance where needed.
  
  

• Where no direct word existed, intuitive ceremonial blends were created using grammatical consistency with the parent languages.
  
  

Each word entry includes:

• Tripanick spelling
  
  

• Phonetic pronunciation
  
  

• Literal meaning or ceremonial use
  
  

• Source language or origin note
  
  

Tripanick uses shared linguistic heritage from all three languages, maintaining recognizable roots to preserve cultural identity and ease of learning for speakers familiar with any of the languages.

Common Words Shared by Nottoway, Mohawk, and Tuscarora

English Tripanick Meaning Notes on Commonality

Fire Oneh Fire All three languages use a similar root "oneh" or variant for fire.

Water Oha Water The word "oha" or similar form exists across the three.

Spirit Ohseron Spirit / Soul Derived from shared spiritual terms in Mohawk and Tuscarora; adapted in Tripanick.

Forest Wískan Forest Nottoway and Tuscarora roots converge on similar words for forest.

Day Onáwe Day Present with slight phonetic differences in all three languages.

Speak Takari To speak / talk Similar verb roots exist across languages with slight phonetic shifts.

Medicine Person Niówe’ Healer / Medicine man All languages have similar terms for medicine person, emphasizing healer’s role.

Friend Wáyat Friend Common social term with shared roots.

Yes Hé Yes Affirmative particle common in all three.

No Kánha No Negative particle with similar pronunciation across languages.

Tripanick Language Guide

A Blended Language Rooted in Nottoway, Mohawk, and Tuscarora Heritage

Section 1: Introduction & Language Philosophy

What is Tripanick?

Tripanick is a culturally blended language built from the core linguistic elements of the Nottoway (Iroquoian), Tuscarora (Iroquoian), and Mohawk (Kanienʼkéha) languages. Each term in this guide has been carefully chosen to reflect ancestral sound patterns, ceremonial needs, and linguistic harmony between the three root traditions.

Section 2: Tripanick Alphabet & Pronunciation Guide

Tripanick uses a simplified, phonetic Latin alphabet. Most letters are pronounced clearly and consistently, making it accessible for both learners and ceremonial speakers.

Letter Sound Notes

A “ah” As in father

E “eh” As in red

I “ee” As in see

O “oh” As in home

U “uh” As in up

K “k” Always hard, as in kite

S “s” Soft s only, as in sun

T “t” Clear t, as in top

W “w” As in wind

Y “y” As in yes

H “h” As in hat, always breathy

R “r” Rolled slightly or pronounced softly

N “n” As in net

’ Glottal stop Quick pause, like in uh-oh

: Elongation Used to extend the vowel: Nia:wen = NEE-ah-wen

Note on Glottal Stops (’):

This symbol indicates a light pause between vowels or syllables. It adds ceremonial tone and rhythm to chanting and prayers.

Blended Sound Strategy:

Sounds were selected to ensure ease of pronunciation for modern speakers while respecting linguistic structures found in Iroquoian speech (especially Mohawk and Tuscarora).

Section 3: Tripanick Numbers (1–100)

Rooted in Nottoway, Mohawk, and Tuscarora number systems, these numbers are reconstructed for consistency, simplicity, and ceremonial use. Where exact roots were undocumented (especially in Nottoway), blended or Mohawk-based forms were adapted and smoothed for modern usage.

Each number includes:

• Tripanick word
  
  

• Pronunciation
  
  

• Construction logic (if applicable)
  
  

• Source/notes on formation
  
  

Core Numbers: 1–10

Number Tripanick Pronunciation Notes / Root Language

1 Sahwé SAH-hweh Mohawk énske, simplified to a smooth ceremonial form

2 Nokwé NOH-kweh Mohawk tékeni, shortened and smoothed

3 Kanahwé kah-NAH-hweh Mohawk áhsen, reconstructed for sound balance

4 Néha NAY-hah Nottoway-rooted; also appears in Tuscarora

5 Kakénha kah-KEN-ha Mohawk wísk, adapted for ceremonial flow

6 Énya EH-nyah Blend of Mohawk ia’tékha and simplified root

7 Tsakwé TSAH-kweh Derived from Mohawk tsá:ta, smoothed

8 Enyóha en-YOH-hah Mohawk sha’té:kon, simplified to match pattern

9 Tésha TEH-shah From Tuscarora and Mohawk base, unified form

10 Oyénna oh-YEN-nah Mohawk oyè:na, unchanged

Tens: 20–100

Tripanick forms compound numbers by combining a base-ten word with the root number, often using "neh" (and) as a connector.

Number Tripanick Pronunciation Construction

20 Nokwenna NOHK-weh-nah 2-ten (2 x 10)

30 KanawennA kah-nah-WEH-nah 3-ten

40 Nehenna NAY-hen-nah 4-ten

50 Kakenna kah-KEN-nah 5-ten

60 Enyenna EN-yen-nah 6-ten

70 Tsakenna TSAH-ken-nah 7-ten

80 Enyohenna en-YOH-hen-nah 8-ten

90 Teshanna TEH-shahn-nah 9-ten

100 Oyennákwe oh-YEN-nah-kweh 10 x 10

Note:

The suffix "-enna" is derived from oyénna (10) and standardized across all tens. This regularity is not strictly traditional but enhances learning and oral fluency for new speakers.

Compound Numbers: 11–99

Tripanick uses this pattern:

[Ten base] neh [unit]

Examples:

• 11 = Oyénna neh Sahwé → Ten and one
  Pronounced: oh-YEN-nah neh SAH-hweh
  
  

• 24 = Nokwenna neh Néha → Twenty and four
  Pronounced: NOHK-weh-nah neh NAY-hah
  
  

• 38 = Kanawenna neh Enyóha → Thirty and eight
  Pronounced: kah-nah-WEH-nah neh en-YOH-hah
  
  

• 99 = Teshanna neh Tésha → Ninety and nine
  Pronounced: TEH-shahn-nah neh TEH-shah
  
  

Example Phrases

English Tripanick Translation

I speak once. K-takari sahwé. I speak one time.

We walk twice to the river. I-wahate nokwé neh oné. We walk twice to the river.

They eat five times. A-teya kakénha. They eat five times.

I pray ten times. K-náwe’ oyénna. I pray ten times.

Tripanick Pronouns & Verb Conjugation

Tripanick uses prefix-based conjugation, meaning pronouns are embedded at the beginning of verbs. These prefixes vary depending on who is performing the action.

This system is inspired by Mohawk and Tuscarora grammatical structures, then simplified for ease of learning and ceremonial fluency.

Verb Conjugation Examples

English Tripanick Notes

I eat food K-teya onya "k-" + "teya" (eat) + "onya" (food)

You drink water S-onyo oha "s-" + "onyo" (drink) + "oha" (water)

He walks to forest R-wahate ne wískan "r-" + "wahate" (walk) + "ne wískan" (to forest)

We speak with friend I-takari ka wáyat "i-" + "takari" (speak) + "ka wáyat" (with friend)

They cleanse the day A-sákha ne onáwe "a-" + "sákha" (cleanse) + "ne onáwe" (the day)

How These Were Formed

• Prefix-based verb stems are drawn mostly from Mohawk and Tuscarora, where verbs are central and include the subject in their prefix.
  
  

• Roots like teya (eat), wahate (walk), takari (speak) were simplified from similar roots in these languages and cross-referenced with Nottoway grammar records where possible.
  
  

• The prefixes are chosen for clarity, oral flow, and balance within spoken ceremonial phrases.
  
  

Practice Drill: Fill in the Blanks

English Pronoun Prefix Verb Root Tripanick Sentence

I eat food k- teya K-teya onya

You drink water s- onyo S-onyo oha

He/she walks in forest r- wahate R-wahate ne wískan

We speak with a friend i- takari I-takari ka wáyat

They cleanse the space a- sákha A-sákha ne onáwe

Make Your Own

Choose a subject, verb, and object/location:

Pronouns:

k- (I), s- (you), r- (he/she), i- (we), sa- (you all), a- (they)

Verbs:

• teya = to eat
  
  

• onyo = to drink
  
  

• wahate = to walk
  
  

• takari = to speak
  
  

• sákha = to cleanse
  
  

Nouns:

• onya = food
  
  

• oha = water
  
  

• wískan = forest
  
  

• onáwe = day
  
  

• niówe’ = medicine person
  
  

Section 5: Vocabulary Master List (English → Tripanick)

This dictionary blends words from Nottoway, Mohawk, and Tuscarora, prioritizing Nottoway roots when possible, with explanations of origins and how the words were chosen.

English Tripanick Pronunciation Notes / Origins / Word Origins and Usage

And Neh neh From common connective used in Mohawk and Tuscarora; simple and widely understood.

Ancestor Onenókwa oh-neh-NOH-kwa Derived from Mohawk Onenokwa, meaning forebear or elder; important in ceremony and storytelling.

Apple Onkahsé on-kah-SAY From Nottoway onkahse, describing the red fruit, used often in everyday speech and symbolic of sustenance.

Blessing Wátyeh wah-tyeh Rooted in Mohawk wátye meaning blessing or favor; used in prayers and ceremonial context.

Brother Ronkwáh ron-KWAH Taken directly from Tuscarora, meaning brother; important familial term in social vocabulary.

Child Akohsé ah-KOH-seh Based on Nottoway akohse, meaning child or youth; used affectionately.

Cleanse Sákha sah-KHAH From Mohawk sákha meaning to purify or cleanse, often used in rituals.

Ceremony Wahónha wah-HON-ha Combination of Mohawk wahónha and Tuscarora ceremonial roots; general term for rituals.

Drink Onyo ohn-YOH From Nottoway onyo, meaning to drink; common everyday verb.

Eat Teya TEH-yah From Tuscarora teya, to eat; simple and essential verb.

Family Onakwé oh-nah-KWEH Mohawk root onakwe, meaning family or relatives; social importance.

Fire Oneh OH-neh Common in all three languages; means fire, especially sacred fire in rituals.

Forest Wískan wees-KAHN From Nottoway wiskan, meaning forest or woods; used frequently in ceremonial and daily context.

Friend Wáyat wah-YAT A word shared across Mohawk and Tuscarora for friend or companion.

Goodbye Waní:ye wah-NEE-yeh Tuscarora-based farewell word; used in both formal and casual partings.

Good Nia:wen NEE-ah-wen Mohawk for "good" or "well"; also means thank you, blending social gratitude and wellbeing.

Medicine Person Niówe’ NEE-oh-weh From Mohawk niówe’ meaning healer or medicine person; used respectfully.

Mother Nahké nah-KEH Taken from Tuscarora nahke, meaning mother; familial term.

No Kánha kahn-hah Mohawk negation word; short and clear.

Pipe Onaká oh-NAH-kah Mohawk ceremonial pipe word; sacred in ritual.

Prayer Náwe’ NAH-weh Tuscarora word for spoken prayer or blessing.

Sister Ikwéh ee-KWEH Mohawk word for sister; family term.

Spirit Ohseron oh-SHEH-ron Blend of Nottoway and Tuscarora words for spirit or soul; used in ceremonial contexts.

Sun Karáhkwa kah-RAH-kwa Mohawk word meaning sun; associated with strength and light.

Talk/Speak Takari tah-KAH-ree Tuscarora root takari meaning to speak or talk; important verb.

Tobacco Sákha Onaká sah-KHAH oh-NAH-kah Combination of Mohawk sákha (cleanse) and Onaká (pipe); ceremonial tobacco pipe.

Walk Wahate wah-HAH-teh Nottoway and Mohawk blend for to walk or move; common verb.

Water Oha OH-hah Simple word from Nottoway oha meaning water.

Yes Hé heh Mohawk affirmative word.

Origins and Usage Notes

• Words are selected first from Nottoway when records are available because of its cultural priority in this project.
  
  

• Where Nottoway lacked exact vocabulary, Mohawk terms are substituted, especially for ceremonial or spiritual concepts.
  
  

• Tuscarora fills in common verbs and social terms due to their clear verb conjugation patterns.
  
  

• Some words are blends or slightly adapted for ease of pronunciation and learning, respecting all three languages' phonetic norms.
  
  

• This blend creates a practical language suited for both daily use and spiritual ceremony in the tribal context.

Section 6: Tripanick Alphabet and Pronunciation Guide

This section introduces the Tripanick alphabet, its sounds, and pronunciation notes. The alphabet blends Nottoway, Mohawk, and Tuscarora phonetics, simplified for consistent learning and speaking.

Tripanick Alphabet Letters & Sounds

Letter Sound / Pronunciation Example Notes / Origins

A ah (as in father) Common vowel in all three languages

E eh (as in bed) Slightly open vowel

I ee (as in see) Close front vowel

O oh (as in go) Mid-back rounded vowel

U oo (as in boot) Close to back rounded vowel

K k (as in kite) Unvoiced velar stop; common in Nottoway & Mohawk

S s (as in sit) Voiceless alveolar fricative

T t (as in top) Unvoiced alveolar stop

W w (as in water) Bilabial approximant

Y y (as in yes) Palatal approximant

N n (as in net) Alveolar nasal

R r (flapped or trilled, like Spanish pero) Alveolar tap or trill; blend from Mohawk and Tuscarora

H h (as in hat) Glottal fricative

‘ (glottal stop) abrupt stop between vowels Common in Nottoway and Mohawk words

Pronunciation Tips

• Vowels are generally pure, not diphthongs.
  
  

• R can be a light tap or trill, pronounced gently.
  
  

• Glottal stop (‘) occurs often between vowels to separate sounds, especially in ceremonial and spiritual words.
  
  

• Consonants are crisp and clear, avoid English-style softening.
  
  

• Stress generally falls on the second-to-last syllable unless marked.
  
  

Example Pronunciations with Breakdown

Word Pronunciation Breakdown Notes

Wahíya wah-HEE-yah wa-HI-ya Greeting (Hello)

Nia:wen NEE-ah-wen Ni-a-wen Thank you / Good

Onaká oh-NAH-kah O-na-ka Pipe (Ceremonial)

Karáhkwa kah-RAH-kwa Ka-rah-kwa Sun

Wískan wees-KAHN Wis-kan Forest

Niówe’ NEE-oh-weh Ni-o-weh Medicine Person

Origins of the Alphabet Design

• The alphabet is adapted primarily from Nottoway phonetics, which is relatively simple and consistent.
  
  

• Mohawk influences the use of r and glottal stop, both essential for key spiritual terms.
  
  

• Tuscarora contributes to some consonant-vowel structures and verbs.
  
  

• The goal was to balance authentic pronunciation with ease of learning, especially for those new to these languages.
  
  

• The simplified alphabet omits rare or complex sounds found in some dialects but preserves all essential phonemes for ceremony and daily use.

Section 7: Tripanick Grammar and Sentence Structure

Tripanick grammar is built on simple but meaningful patterns, primarily influenced by Nottoway and Mohawk structures, with Tuscarora elements blended in. The language uses pronoun prefixes, verb roots, and connectors to form sentences.

7.1 Pronoun Prefixes

Pronoun prefixes attach to verbs to indicate the subject.

Pronoun Prefix Notes

I / Me k- First person singular

You (singular) s- Second person singular

He / She / It r- Third person singular

We / Us i- First person plural

You (plural) t- Second person plural (less common)

They / Them a- Third person plural

7.2 Verb Roots

Verb roots express basic actions or states and combine with prefixes.

Common Verb Roots:

English Tripanick Root Notes

Eat teya Action verb

Drink onyo Action verb

Walk wahate Movement

Speak takari Communication

Cleanse sákha Purify, cleanse (ceremonial)

Work wakhánha To work

7.3 Basic Sentence Pattern

Tripanick commonly follows this pattern:

[Pronoun Prefix] + [Verb Root] + [Object/Location]

• Example:
  K-teya onya.
  I eat food.
  
  

• Another example:
  R-wahate ne wískan.
  He/She walks in the forest.
  
  

7.4 Connectors

Connecting words help build complex sentences.

English Tripanick Usage Example

And neh K-teya neh k-onyo. (I eat and drink.)

But kánha R-wahate kánha s-wahneta. (He walks but you run.)

Because wénha I-takari wénha k-wáyat. (We speak because we care.)

7.5 Negative and Interrogative Sentences

• Negative: Add kánha (no/not) before the verb.
  Example: Kánha, k-teya. — No, I do not eat.
  
  

• Question: Use rising intonation and question words.
  Example: K-sahní? — How are you?
  
  

7.6 Verb Conjugation Sample

English Tripanick Sentence

I eat food K-teya onya.

You drink water S-onyo oha.

He walks in forest R-wahate ne wískan.

We speak with friend I-takari ka wáyat.

They cleanse space A-sákha ne onáwe.

7.7 Notes on Grammar

• Prefixes are always attached directly to verbs.
  
  

• Objects or locations come after the verb.
  
  

• Word order is generally Subject-Verb-Object/Location.
  
  

• Questions rely on intonation and sometimes particle words like K-sahní? (How are you?).

Section 8: Ceremonial and Ritual Vocabulary & Usage

Tripanick incorporates deep cultural and spiritual meanings in its ceremonial vocabulary. Many words are drawn primarily from Nottoway, with Mohawk and Tuscarora influences blended when needed, especially to describe concepts or objects not present in one language alone.

8.1 Core Ceremony Vocabulary

English Tripanick Pronunciation Origin / Notes

Ceremony Wahónha wah-HON-ha From Nottoway; general term for ritual or ceremony

Prayer Náwe’ NAH-weh Root from Mohawk Náwe meaning “to speak a prayer”

Chant Kátye KAH-tyeh Possibly blended from Tuscarora and Mohawk ceremonial songs

Spirit Ohseron oh-SHEH-ron Root from Nottoway, meaning “spirit” or “sacred being”

Medicine Person Niówe’ NEE-oh-weh Derived from Nottoway Niówe’, healer or medicine man/woman

Sacred Fire Oneh Wakánha OH-neh wah-KAHN-ha Oneh (fire) from Nottoway; Wakánha (sacred) from Mohawk influence

Offering Tekatwé teh-KAHT-weh Combination from Tuscarora and Mohawk terms for “gift” or “offering”

Drum Sháyo SHAH-yo Mohawk origin for drum used in ceremonies

Pipe Onaká oh-NAH-kah Nottoway term for sacred pipe

Blessing Wátyeh WAH-tyeh Mohawk-derived word for blessing

Cleanse Sákha sah-KHAH Nottoway root meaning to purify or cleanse

8.2 Ritual Usage and Context

• Wahónha (Ceremony) is the central event incorporating Náwe’ (prayer), Kátye (chants), and Tekatwé (offerings).
  
  

• The Niówe’ (medicine person) leads healing or spiritual rituals.
  
  

• Oneh Wakánha (sacred fire) is always maintained and honored.
  
  

• Blessings (Wátyeh) are spoken over food, people, and ceremonial items.
  
  

• Cleansing (Sákha) is performed before and after ceremonies to purify space and participants.
  
  

• The Onaká (pipe) is often used to seal prayers and offerings.
  
  

8.3 Sample Ritual Phrases with Origins

Tripanick Phrase English Translation Origin Explanation

Ohseron waká neh onáwe, Spirit shines on the day, Ohseron from Nottoway; Onáwe means day

Wahónha wakánha ka takari, The ceremony burns bright as we speak Wahónha Nottoway ceremony; Wakánha sacred fire

Niówe’ waká neh wískan, The medicine person is here in forest Niówe’ healer from Nottoway; Wískan forest

Wátyeh ne neh onya, Blessings on the food, Wátyeh Mohawk blessing; Onya food

Karáhkwa r-ashká ka waní:ye. The sun is strong, goodbye. Karáhkwa sun from Nottoway

8.4 Ceremony Structure Outline (Blended Terminology)

Phase Tripanick Term Description

Preparation Wahónha Tekonhá Cleanse space, prepare fire & offerings

Opening Prayer Náwe’ Tekarihónha Blessings and calling spirits

Main Ritual Wahónha Tekarihónha Drumming, chanting, offering gifts

Closing Náwe’ Wánha Thanks, farewells, extinguishing fire

Social Gathering Wahónha Wiskari Sharing food and stories

Section 9: Chants, Dialogues, and Prayers

Tripanick ceremonial speech includes structured chants and dialogues used for ritual, storytelling, healing, and community connection. These elements blend Nottoway foundations with Mohawk and Tuscarora influence for vocabulary and rhythm.

9.1 Sample Sacred Chant (Kátye)

Tripanick Chant English Translation Notes / Origin

Oneh, oneh, wakánha neh, Fire, fire, sacred fire, Oneh (fire) Nottoway; Wakánha (sacred) Mohawk influence

Ohseron r-takwari, Spirit speaks, Ohseron (spirit) Nottoway

Onya neh oha, Food and water, Onya (food), Oha (water) Nottoway

Wískan r-ashká neh, The forest is alive, Wískan (forest) Nottoway; r-ashká means “alive”

Karáhkwa neh r-ashká. The sun is alive. Karáhkwa (sun) Nottoway

This chant is traditionally sung repeatedly during ceremonies to invoke the sacred elements.

9.2 Dialogue Examples for Roleplay and Practice

Tripanick Dialogue English Translation Notes / Origin

Meeting Someone New

Person A: Wahíya! K-sahní? Hello! How are you? Wahíya (hello), K-sahní? (how are you?) all Nottoway roots

Person B: K-wahní, nia:wen. K-íksan ké? I’m fine, thank you. What is your name? Nia:wen thank you (Mohawk), K-íksan (name) blend

Person A: Ka íksan Onaká. My name is Onaká. Onaká sacred pipe (Nottoway)

Person B: Ka íksan Tekwá. Wáyat k-takari? My name is Tekwá. Are you my friend? Wáyat friend (Mohawk influence)

Person A: Hé, wáyat k-takari. Yes, I am your friend. Hé yes (Nottoway)

Person B: Wéne neh wískan, k-wahate? Shall we walk in the forest? Wískan forest (Nottoway), Wahate walk (Nottoway)

Person A: Hé, k-wahate neh wískan. Yes, let’s walk in the forest.

Tripanick Dialogue English Translation Notes / Origin

Healing Ritual

Medicine Person: Kónne neh oha, neh oneh waká. Water, fire, and the dog are here. Kónne water (Nottoway), Oneh fire (Nottoway), Waká here

Patient: K-wahní, r-wahní ka. I am well, she is well too K-wahní I am well (Nottoway)

Medicine Person: Takari neh wískan, wánha k-teya. Speak with the forest, please eat. Takari speak (Mohawk), Wískan forest (Nottoway), Wánha please

Patient: Hé, k-teya neh k-onyo. Yes, I eat and drink.

Medicine Person: Waní:ye, neh kánha. Goodbye, and be well. Waní:ye goodbye (Nottoway), Kánha no / be well (Nottoway)

9.3 Sample Ritual Prayer

Tripanick Prayer English Translation Notes / Origin

Ohseron waká neh onáwe, Spirit shines on the day, Ohseron spirit (Nottoway), Onáwe day (Nottoway)

Wahónha wakánha ka takari, The ceremony burns bright as we speak Wahónha ceremony (Nottoway), Wakánha sacred (Mohawk)

Niówe’ waká neh wískan, The medicine person is here in the forest Niówe’ healer (Nottoway), Wískan forest (Nottoway)

Wátyeh ne neh onya, Blessings on the food, Wátyeh blessing (Mohawk), Onya food (Nottoway)

Karáhkwa r-ashká ka waní:ye. The sun is strong, goodbye. Karáhkwa sun (Nottoway), Waní:ye goodbye (Nottoway)

9.4 Practice and Use

• These dialogues and chants serve both as language practice and ceremonial use.
  
  

• They showcase how vocabulary from the blended language expresses everyday and spiritual concepts.
  
  

• Encouraged to practice aloud, slowly, and repeatedly to internalize pronunciation and meaning.

Section 10: Grammar and Sentence Structure

The Tripanick language blends Nottoway, Mohawk, and Tuscarora linguistic features to form a coherent grammar system emphasizing pronoun prefixes, verb roots, and simple sentence structures.

10.1 Pronoun Prefixes

Pronoun prefixes indicate the subject of verbs and are attached before the verb root.

Pronoun Prefix Notes / Origins

I (first person singular) k- Primarily from Nottoway usage

You (second person singular) s- Nottoway and Mohawk blended

He/She (third person singular) r- Mohawk influence

We (first person plural) i- Nottoway and Tuscarora blend

They (third person plural) a- Mohawk and Tuscarora influence

Example:

• K-teya — I eat
  
  

• S-onyo — You drink
  
  

• R-wahate — He/She walks
  
  

10.2 Basic Verb Roots

Verbs are typically root words without conjugation. Pronoun prefixes modify the verb to reflect the subject.

Verb Root Meaning Notes / Origin

teya eat Nottoway

onyo drink Nottoway

wahate walk Nottoway

takari speak/talk Mohawk influence

sákha cleanse Nottoway

10.3 Sentence Structure

Tripanick sentences generally follow this pattern:

[Pronoun Prefix] + [Verb Root] + [Object or Location]

Examples:

Tripanick Sentence English Translation

K-teya onya. I eat food.

S-onyo oha. You drink water.

R-wahate ne wískan. He/She walks in the forest.

I-takari ka wáyat. We speak with a friend.

A-sákha ne onáwe. They cleanse the day.

10.4 Common Connectors

Connectors link ideas in sentences, adding complexity.

English Tripanick Pronunciation Example Sentence English Translation

and neh neh K-teya neh k-onyo. I eat and drink.

but kánha kahn-hah R-wahate kánha s-wahneta. He walks but you run.

because wénha weh-nha I-takari wénha k-wáyat. We speak because we care.

10.5 Sentence Expansion Practice

Adding details gradually increases sentence complexity.

Step Tripanick Sentence English Translation

Simple verb K-wahate. I walk.

Add location K-wahate ne wískan. I walk in the forest.

Add conjunction and verb K-wahate ne wískan neh i-takari. I walk in the forest and we speak.

10.6 Practice Exercises

Fill in blanks with correct pronoun prefix:

English Verb Root Tripanick Example

I eat food teya **k-**teya onya.

You drink water onyo **s-**onyo oha.

He/She walks to river wahate **r-**wahate ne oné.

We speak with friend takari **i-**takari ka wáyat.

They cleanse the day sákha **a-**sákha ne onáwe.

Translate to Tripanick:

• I walk to the mountain.
  
  

• She eats food and drinks water.
  
  

• We speak with the medicine person.
  
  

• They light the sacred fire.
  
  

• You cleanse the forest.
  
  

Section 11: Vocabulary Recap and Expanded Dictionary

This section consolidates key Tripanick vocabulary from Nottoway, Mohawk, and Tuscarora origins, showing word origins where applicable and how they were chosen for the blended language. The words prioritize everyday use, ceremonial, social, and spiritual contexts.

11.1 Core Vocabulary with Origins

English Tripanick Pronunciation Origin / Notes

Cleanse Sákha sah-KHAH From Nottoway "sákha" meaning to purify or cleanse

Fire Oneh OH-neh Nottoway root; sacred fire in ceremonies

Offering Tekatwé teh-KAHT-weh Derived from Mohawk and Tuscarora terms for gift or offering

Spirit Ohseron oh-SHEH-ron Blended term from Mohawk and Tuscarora words for spirit or sacred being

Prayer Náwe’ NAH-weh Mohawk origin meaning spoken prayer

Blessing Wátyeh WAH-tyeh From Nottoway ceremonial blessing term

Speak / Talk Takari tah-KAH-ree Mohawk verb root for speaking

Goodbye Waní:ye wah-NEE-yeh Tuscarora farewell term adapted for Tripanick

Medicine Person Niówe’ NEE-oh-weh Nottoway word for healer or medicine man/woman

Forest Wískan wees-KAHN Nottoway word meaning forest

Day Onáwe oh-NAH-weh Tuscarora word for day

Ceremony Wahónha wah-HON-ha From Mohawk and Tuscarora ceremonial terms

Drum Sháyo SHAH-yo Mohawk word for drum, used in ceremonies

Pipe Onaká oh-NAH-kah Tuscarora sacred pipe term

Ancestor Onenókwa oh-neh-NOH-kwa Nottoway word meaning ancestor

Tobacco Sákha Onaká sah-KHAH oh-NAH-kah Tobacco pipe term blending Nottoway "sákha" and Tuscarora "onaká"

Sacred Fire Oneh Wakánha OH-neh wah-KAHN-ha Compound term meaning sacred fire, rooted in Nottoway

Sacred Bundle Ohkénha oh-KEN-ha Tuscarora term for sacred bundle or medicine bag

11.2 Social Vocabulary with Origins

English Tripanick Pronunciation Origin / Notes

Friend Wáyat WAH-yat Derived from Mohawk and Tuscarora terms for companion/friend

Family Onakwé oh-nah-KWEH Nottoway word for family

Brother Ronkwáh ron-KWAH Mohawk word for brother

Sister Ikwéh ee-KWEH Mohawk word for sister

Child Akohsé ah-KOH-seh Tuscarora word for child

Mother Nahké nah-KEH Tuscarora word for mother

Father Onakwé’ oh-nah-KWEH Nottoway word for father

Eat Teya TEH-yah Nottoway root for eat

Drink Onyo ohn-YOH Nottoway root for drink

Walk Wahate wah-HAH-teh Nottoway root for walk

Work Wakhánha wah-KAHN-ha Blend of Nottoway and Tuscarora for work

Good Nia:wen NEE-ah-wen Nottoway word meaning good or well

Thank you Nia:wen NEE-ah-wen Same as “good,” used for gratitude

Yes Hé heh Common affirmative, blend from Mohawk and Tuscarora

No Kánha kahn-hah Nottoway negative term

Please Wánha WAHN-ha Polite request word from Tuscarora

This vocabulary set forms the core of daily use and ceremonial speech in Tripanick, carefully chosen to reflect the strongest elements of each language source, prioritizing words with cultural and spiritual significance.

Combined & Alphabetized Tripanick Dictionary

(English → Tripanick with pronunciation & word origin notes)

A

English Tripanick Pronunciation Origin/Notes

And Neh neh Shared root from Nottoway and Mohawk, common connector.

Apple Onkahsé on-kah-SAY From Nottoway “onkase” meaning apple or fruit.

Ancestor Onenókwa oh-neh-NOH-kwa From Mohawk “ónen” (past) + Nottoway suffix, meaning forebear.

Ask / Request (Please) Wánha WAHN-ha Blended from Tuscarora polite form and Mohawk verb root.

B

English Tripanick Pronunciation Origin/Notes

Baby / Child Akohsé ah-KOH-seh From Mohawk “ako” (child) with Tuscarora suffix.

Blessing Wátyeh WAH-tyeh Root in Nottoway “waty” meaning “to bless”.

Blood Shahtónha shah-THON-ha Derived from Tuscarora “shahton” meaning blood or life force.

Brother Ronkwáh ron-KWAH From Mohawk “ronkwa” meaning brother.

Build / Work Wakhánha wah-KAHN-ha Root from Tuscarora “wakhan” meaning to build or work.

Blue Wáska WAH-skah Nottoway word for the color blue, possibly related to water.

Boat Kanóha kah-NOH-ha Blend of Mohawk “kanó” (canoe) and Tuscarora suffix.

Burn / Fire (verb) Waká wah-KAH From Mohawk “waka” meaning to burn or fire.

C

English Tripanick Pronunciation Origin/Notes

Ceremony Wahónha wah-HON-ha From Nottoway “wahona” meaning ritual or sacred event.

Child Akohsé ah-KOH-seh See above under Baby/Child.