At the time of first contact, the English and the French had been using written language for centuries, while Oneidas relied on the oral tradition. The structure of their languages differed as well. The Oneida language used compound words that expressed an entire concept where English or French would use several words to say the same thing.

Here are a few examples of some compound Oneida words and their English translations:

Onyota'a:ka The People of the Standing Stone, Oneidas

kana:yote = standing stone

a:ka = suffix meaning people of that place

Kalute'shuha Many Trees

kalute' = tree

shuha = suffix meaning many

Lalihwaha:wi He carries a message

la = male prefix

olihwa = the message, words

ha:wi = suffix meaning carrying

Nineteenth-century Oneidas began to write down their language using the English alphabet. Often the first texts they transcribed were hymns. They used the music from popular Christian hymns but frequently wrote new verses in Oneida.

The Oneida language appeared to be dying out by the mid-twentieth century. Schools, even reservation schools, forced children to speak English and often punished them for speaking in their own language. Many parents encouraged their children to speak only English, believing it would help them succeed economically. A few native speakers fought to keep Oneida alive, others struggled to learn the language as adults. Now, the Nation offers language classes and the language is beginning to flourish again.

All languages must create words to express new realities. Oneida elders and language experts meet at least once a year to keep Oneida current with the needs of the modern world. They try to construct words that remain within the spirit of the traditional Oneida language while representing concepts and inventions far from those found in traditional life.

Watasatalha Television

kaya:talha = picture

yotasa:talu = shadow

Yotlunutakhwa Radio, instrument with music

yo = female identification

lutlanot = they make music

takhwa = suffix meaning object

Special thanks to Sheri Beglen and Ray George of the Oneida Indian Nation Education Resource Center for their help with Oneida translations.

Click on a topic to share in the history of the Oneida People!

return to the main page