In the present state of information on these subjects, more important service will be rendered to philology, by adding to the mass of materials, than by any vague and general discussions; we shall therefore devote the remainder of this chapter to such specimens of Indian languages as have fallen in our way, premising that our aim has been to conform, as nearly as possible, to the orthography of the English language.[66] This orthography is liable to many objections; so also would be any other that could be devised. The sounds of letters must always be somewhat arbitrary, inasmuch as there is no manner of resemblance between the sign and the thing signified.
COMPARISON OF WORDS AND SENTENCES IN THE DIALECTS OF THE OTTAWWAWS AND MENOMONIES
Ottawwaw.—Menomonie.—English.—Free translation, etc.
Me-notch-pun-gee—Me-na-wutch—A little.
O-ta-me-ne-kwain—Kut-tai-me-no—He will drink. He will drink a little.
Tun-ish-win—Tah-tah-we-nah—Wherefore.
Mow-wy-un?—Us-moke?—Doth he cry?
Ka-gaw-pung-ge-zhe-moke—Ka-zho-nicut—Near sun set. Almost sun set.
Kaw-ween—Kun—Not.