ᑲᐢᑳᐸᐦᑌᐤ
kaskâpahtêw
The Cree word for "smoke" is ᑲᐢᑳᐸᐦᑌᐤ (kaskâpahtêw).
ᑲᐢᑳᐸᐦᑌᐤ refers to the visible particles and vapour given off by burning material.
Meaning: visible particles and vapour given off by burning material (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
kaskâpahtêw
Did you know?
- In the syllabic system, the shape of the character for ᑲ represents a specific sound, but rotating that shape changes the vowel sound entirely.
- In many Indigenous North American cultures, including Cree, smoke is often viewed as a medium for communication between the physical and spiritual worlds, rather than just a byproduct of combustion.
- The Cree syllabic writing system, used to write ᑲᐢᑳᐸᐦᑌᐤ, was developed in the 19th century to increase literacy among Indigenous peoples.
Example conversation
Two people are standing near a campfire.
- Aᑲᐢᑳᐸᐦᑌᐤ ᒫᐤᐤᐤᐤ ᐱᐤᐤᐤᐤ ᒫᐤᐤᐤᐤ.kaskapahteu ma oo oo oo p-uu uu uu ma oo oo oo.The smoke is thick.
- Bᐤᐤᐤᐤ ᒫᐤᐤᐤᐤ ᐱᐤᐤᐤᐤ ᒫᐤᐤᐤᐤ.oo oo oo ma oo oo oo p-uu uu uu ma oo oo oo.It is very strong.
- Aᒫᐤᐤᐤᐤ ᐱᐤᐤᐤᐤ ᒫᐤᐤᐤᐤ ᐤᐤᐤᐤ.ma oo oo oo p-uu uu uu ma oo oo oo oo oo oo.Move away from it.
- Bᐤᐤᐤᐤ ᒫᐤᐤᐤᐤ ᐱᐤᐤᐤᐤ.oo oo oo ma oo oo oo p-uu uu uu.I will move.
