In the Spirit of Love

"I Love You" in Native Languages

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Currents. Comment »

Is Your Tribe Represented?

GRAND RAPIDS - It is said "love is universal." As Valentine's Day is celebrated today we thought it would be appropriate to share "I love you" in dozens of Native languages.

Gathering the various ways to say "I love you" in our Native languages was fun and challenging. Calling tribal offices across Indian Country, we quickly discovered our languages are not commonly known or spoken. In some cases, we were transferred to the language department. In one case, we were given the telephone number of the tribal police department and told to ask for a specific person who "will probably know how to say it." She did, but this cupid asked to remain anonymous.

We know this list is by no means complete. We apologize if your tribe is not listed. Please feel free to let us know how to say "I love you" in your tribal language in our comment section.

We apologize if your tribe's translation is not how you think is correct. We endeavor to be accurate. Please contact us with your translation.

I Love You

English

Qunukumken

Afongnak

Txin Yaktakuq

Aleut

Sil n'zhoo

Apache

Biixoo3é3e

Arapaho

Nimitzlaco 'tla

Aztec

Hamma Tenshai Kumcha

Blackfoot

Nemusa Iswa

Catawba

Ee'hitewisa

Cayuse/Nez Perce

Gv-ge-yu-hi

Cherokee

Ne mehotatse

Cheyenne

Chiholloli

Chickasaw

Chi hullo li

Choctaw

U kamakutu nu

Comanche

Kwin-ca-minch

Coeur d'Alene

Kisakihitin

Cree

Aloha wau ia oe

Hawaiian

Nu' umi unangwa'ta

Hopi

Aakuluk

Inuit

Iiteéminó

Kickapoo

Aim go-doe bee-el-doe

Kiowa

Moo ams ni stinta

Klamath

Ne-stl' i Nexw

Lummi

Ketapanen

Menominee

Nowehkowai

Miwok

Konorónkhwa

Mohawk

Ayoo aniinish'ni

Navajo

Kana misk hitjup

Ohlone

Ku'nolhkwa

Oneida

Gunowe'nkhwa

Onondaga

Gazahagin

Ottawa

Gzaagin

Ojibwe

Tu uste yoom

Paiute

KtabanIn

Potawatomi

Ketebanene

Sac & Fox

Yunowmoie

Seminole

Ayor anosh'ni

Shawnee

Neh ume chasuequanda

Shoshone

Techihhila

Sioux

Enyi sum'oh hoyt

Tohono O'Odham

Atowweeshmash

Umatilla

Atawishamash

Walla Walla

Atawishamash

Yamaka

'Enk'ay sih

Yinka Dene

Tom ho' ichema

Zuni

We send our gratitude to tribal officials who talked to us or emailed their tribe's translation.

Special thanks to Monica Whitepigeon in Illinois and Arthur Jacobs in California who assisted in the process.

posted February 14, 2012 12:59 pm est