wêmistikôsiw
The English phrase "white man" is translated into Cree as wêmistikôsiw.
wêmistikôsiw refers to a person of European descent.
Did you know?
- The term wêmistikôsiw functions as a category for 'outsiders' and 'strangers', which may include people who are not visually white.
- Cree is a polysynthetic language, meaning a single word like wêmistikôsiw can function as an entire sentence in English, effectively meaning 'he is a white man'.
- Historically, the term was used as a functional label in the fur trade to distinguish between different groups of traders and local populations. It helped organize social and economic interactions during a time of massive cultural shift.
Example conversation
Two people are discussing a new neighbor.
- AKî-wâpamâw ôno wêmistikôsiw?Kî-wâpamâw ôno wêmistikôsiw?Did you see that white man?
- BKî-wâpamâna.Kî-wâpamâna.I saw him.
- AKêya-itâw?Kêya-itâw?What is he like?
- BNisî-citâna.Nisî-citâna.He is very kind.
