No'pa Sko'sia
The English phrase Nova Scotia is translated into Mi'kmaq as No'pa Sko'sia.
No'pa Sko'sia is used as a name for the province in eastern Canada.
Meaning: province in eastern Canada (name)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Cape Breton area, the term Unama'ki is used to refer to the island, meaning the fog or land of fog.
When do people say it?
The formal term Epekwitk carries the meaning of land cradle or cradleboard. Additionally, when referring to the island in the Cape Breton region, speakers may use Unama'ki, which translates to the fog or land of fog.
Did you know?
- The word Epekwitk relates to a 'cradleboard', a traditional device used to carry infants, metaphors that are common in Mi'kmaq place-naming.
- While the English name refers to a 'new' Scotland, the Mi'kmaq name No'pa Sko'sia is actually a phonetic adaptation of the Latin-based English name rather than a traditional Mi'kmaq descriptor.
- The Mi'kmaq language is part of the Algonquian family, meaning it is a distant relative of languages like Cree and Ojibwe spoken across North America.
Examples in context
- No'pa Sko'sia.Nova Scotia.
- No'pa Sko'sia mte'ju'q.I am in Nova Scotia.
Example conversation
Michael and Sarah are talking about where they live.
- MichaelTmi'k No'pa Sko'sia?Do you live in Nova Scotia?
- SarahSik, No'pa Sko'sia tmi'k.Yes, I live in Nova Scotia.
- MichaelNo'pa Sko'sia tsi kwi-pmaq.I want to visit Nova Scotia.
- SarahTsi kwi-pmaq tulo't.You should come visit.
