The Cheyenne Language

The Cheyenne, or "Tsitsistas", or "Tsetsehestehese" are of Algonkian linguistic stock, there are still nearly three thousand speakers of the language living on reservations in Montana and Oklahoma. Here are some examples of Cheyenne words and phrases. Notice the grace and simplicity of the words and sentences, the softness of the sounds, and the minimal use of plosives, stops, and fricatives.

English Words	Cheyenne Translation
man	hetane
woman	he'e
child	ka'êškone
warrior	notâxeo'o
white man	ve'ho'e
dogmen	Hotametaneo'o
buffalo	hotoa'e
wolf	ho'nehe
fox	ma'êhoohe
dog	oeškeso
horse	mo'ehno'ha
house	mâheo'o
arrow	maahe
corn	mâhaemenôtse
rock	ho'honaa'e
water	mahpe
smoke	he'pohtôtse

English Sentences	Cheyenne Translation
What is your name?	Netonêševehe?
Welcome!	va'ôhtama
I caught it.	Nanâha'ena.
He is fighting him.	Emeoto.
How many are there?	Etonêstôxeo'o?
He is friendly.	Emasetsêstahe.
He is dancing.	Eho'soo'e.
How are you?	Netone'xovomohtahe?
You are right.	Nehetome.
He is sick.	Ehaomohtahe.
Come here!	Nenaasêstse!
He is running fast.	Enêševo'âheotse.
There are two of them.	Enešeo'o.
He is hunting.	Eemôhone.
Where are you going?	Tosa'e netao'setsêhe'ohtse?
He is eating.	Emesehe.
Stop!	Eneoestse!

It is also interesting to note that English sentences which would normally require the use of four or five words translate into one word in Cheyenne; yet another example of the efficiency and fluidity of the language. how If you are interested in further exploring the Cheyenne language, here are two interesting downloads:

Cheyenne Keyboard Program

Cheyenne Font