Okinawan language

Okinawan language (沖縄語　おきなわご　Okinawago, 琉球語　りゅうきゅうご Ryuukyuugo　ウチナーグチ Uchina-guchi) is a Ryukyuan language spoken in Okinawa and Amami regions of Japan. Some linguists believe it has branched off from ancient (6th to 12th) Japanese.

Sample Vocabulary of Okinawan

• Menso-re (めんそーれ) - Welcome, Hello (when receiving)
• Haisai (ハイサイ) - Hello (when visiting)
• Ganjyuu - Fine health (in greeting)
• Uchinanchu (ウチナンチュ) - Okinawan people
• Yamatonchu ( ヤマトンチュ) - Japanese mainlander
• Waraba, Warabi (ワラバー) - Children
• Yuntaku (ユンタク) - Talking
• Wan, Wah - Me or I
• Iyah - informal You
• Unjyu - polite form of you
• Yinagu - woman
• Yikiga - man
• Uya - parents
• Kwa - a child ( as opposed to Parents)
• Niiseh - a young man
• Boujya - a baby
• Inne - a dog
• Inn-gwa - little doggie
• Mayah - a cat
• Mayah-gwa - a little kitten
• Heejya - a goat