How to Say “Bye” in Mohawk

Did you know?

• The Mohawk language is polysynthetic, meaning a single word can function as a whole sentence. While ó:nen is short, other expressions of parting can pack complex grammatical information about who is leaving and where they are going.
• Because Mohawk is an Iroquoian language, the way people say 'bye' differs significantly from neighboring Algonquian languages. This reflects a deep historical and linguistic divide between these two indigenous groups in the Northeast.
• Unlike English where 'bye' is nearly universal, the choice of parting words in Mohawk can change significantly depending on whether you are leaving a person or a place.