Míkmaq language

The Mi'kmaq language (also spelled Míkmaq, Mi'gmaq, Mi'qmac, or priorly Micmac) is an Eastern Algonquian language spoken by nearly 9,000 Míkmaq in Canada, and another 1,200 in United States, out of a total ethnic Míkmaq population of roughly 40,000. The word Míkmaq is a plural word meaning 'my friends' (singular Míkm); the adjectival form is Míkmaw. The language's native name is Míkmawísimk or Míkmwei (in some dialects).

Writing system

Míkmaq is written with letters of the Roman alphabet. This writing system was created by missionaries in the 19th century. Before, the language was written in Míkmaq hieroglyphic writing, a script of partially-native origin.

Orthographies

IPA	a	a:	e	e:	i	i:	ə	dʒ/tʃ	g/k	l	m	n	o	o:	b/p	x	s	d/t	u	u:	w	j
Francis-Smith	a	á	e	é	i	í	ɨ	j	k	l	m	n	o	ó	p	q	s	t	u	ú	w	y
Listuguj	a	a'	e	e'	i	i'	'	j	g	l	m	n	o	o'	p	q	s	t	u	u'	w	y
Lexicon	a	a:	e	e:	i	i:	ɨ	j	k	l	m	n	o	o:	p	q	s	t	u	u:	w	y
Pacifique	a		e		i			tj	g	l	m	n	ô		p		s	t	o
Rand	ă	a â	ĕ	ā	ĭ	e	ŭ	ch	c k	l	m	n	ŏ	o ō	b	h	s	d t	ŏŏ	oo u	w	y

References

• Rand, Silas Tertius. 1888. Dictionary of the language of the Micmac Indians, who reside in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton and Newfoundland. Halifax: Nova Scotia Printing Company. Reprinted 1994: New Delhi & Madras: Asian Educational Services, ISBN 81-206-0954-9

Other websites

• Mi'kmaq Online Talking Dictionary
• Internet Archive of "Míkmaq Language"
• Native Languages page on Míkmaq
• Ethnologue report
• Chris Harvey's page on Míkmawísimk