Example:
Example:
Example:
Example:
Example:
Example:
Example:
© Kainai Transition Centre Society 2021
DID YOU KNOW?
The Blackfoot Alphabet consists of 13 letters:
a, h, i, k, m, n, o, p, s, t, w, y, ‘
•
Vowels: a, i, o
•
Semivowels: w, y
•
Consonants: h, k, m, n, p, s, t, ‘
Some unique sounds in the
Blackfoot language are:
•
h when followed by a vowel it’s a guttural
sound that comes from the back of the
throat.
•
k sounds like g and k combined, com
pared to the k sound in the English word ‘
skate’.
•
ks similar to the ‘x’ in the English word
‘box’.
•
p sounds like b and p combined, com
pared to the p sound in the English word
‘speak’.
•
t sounds like d and t combined, compared
to the t sound in the English word
‘steak’.
•
ts similar to the ts in the English word
‘cats’.
•
‘ : This is called a glottal stop, it can be
compared to the sound in the English word
uh-oh, where the dash is.
*Note: some endings such as -wa, -yi may not
be pronounced but may appear in the writing.
LANGUAGE LEARNING TIPS &
TRICKS
•
Listen to Blackfoot audio as often as you c
an.
•
Draw pictures of what Blackfoot words
mean.
•
Write out phrases in various forms. For ex
ample, I am... you are... he is... they
are...Notice how the phrases change to in
dicate different meanings.
•
With a partner, toss a ball to each other
while saying Blackfoot words.
•
While practicing Blackfoot words, move,
jump around!
•
Listen to music between learning
sessions.
•
Read along with audio recordings.
For more useful resources of the Blackfoot
language, see:
-Blackfoot Dictionary of Stems, Roots, and
Affixes (third edition)
-Blackfoot Grammar (third edition)
-Blackfoot Online Dictionary
-Glenbow Museum
Example:
Example:
Example:
Example:
Example:
Example:
Example:
© Kainai Transition Centre Society 2021
