Yurok Language Food Placemat

Placemats were created to encourage having meals as a family entirely in the Yurok Language. Audio by pronounced by language teacher Brittany Vigil-Burbank and Graphic Design help from Caitlin Morris.

Translation Notes

(s) = singular. Use when talking to one other person.

(pl) = plural. Use talking to multiple people.

Plate translates as flat basket

Bowl translates more closely to an eating basket

There is another way to say "Thank you" pronounced wokhlew, but it is used for non-food gratefulness.

Utensils

‘Lahp-sew
Plate

chkeee-ker’
Fork

Py-gem
Knife

Hey-gon
Spoon

Kue mehl ‘e-gahs-pue’
Cup

Hekwch
Bowl

Basics

Chyue kee saa’-a-go-che’-moh
Let’s speak Yurok

Cho’ saa’-a-go-chem’
Say it in Yurok

Kues soo hey-go-lem’ _?
How do you say _?

Tee’-nee-sho wee’?
What is this called?

'Elekw.
I don't know.

koweeshcho'
Thank You/ I am greatful

Eating

Chyuuek’-we-nes.
Sit Down (S)

Chee-wey-em’ hes?
Are you hungry?

Keech chee-wey-ek’
I’m Hungry

Skey-wok kee ’ne-ne-pek’ _.
I want to eat_.

Ley-ko-mey-e-t’es ‘o yo’ kue _.
Place the _here (pointing to spot).

Nek skuue-we-tek’ _.
I like the taste of _.

Wey-no’-os _ (item, not food).
Chee ‘o’ _ (food/drink).
Give me ___.

Keech skey-ween-ne-pek’
I’m full.

Ko’-mee teyn-pey-ok’ kee-mokw ‘ne-sew!
much I can’t breath!

Drinking

Che’-look-sem’ hes?
Are you thirsty?

Che’-look-sek’
I'm thirsty

Skey-wok kee ’ne-rek-woh _.
I want to drink _

Pa’-ah
Water

Skuue-wo-lo-nee pa’ah
Juice

Ler’-er’-gerh
Coffee

Heyr-puen
Mint tea

Skey-wok hes sloy-ew?
Do you want ice?

Additional Food Word Resources

A special thanks to:

Brittany Vigil-Burbank, Yurok Language Program Distance Learning Coordinator

Victoria Carlson, Yurok Language Program Manager

Barbara McQuillen, Yurok Language Program Collections Coordinator & Lead Teacher

James Gensaw, Yurok Language Program Cultural Coordinator

Andrew Garrett, Department of Linguistics at University of California, Berkeley

Carole Lewis

And Kay Inong

Who work tirelessly to retain the Yurok Language and thus culture.

As well as past teachers who helped revitlize the language and inspired me and many others.

'Aawokw* Archie Thompson (Ne'-peychew)*

'Aawokw Georgiana Trull

'Aawokw Glenn Moore

'Aawokw Aileen Figueroa

In addition to all the other flutent speakers and current teachers who continue to inspire the community.

*Aawokw = alas!, poor thing! (Like saying rest in peace)

Ne'-peychew = My (deceased) grandfater

Yurok Language Food Placemat

Utensils

‘Lahp-sew Plate

chkeee-ker’ Fork

Py-gem Knife

Hey-gon Spoon

Kue mehl ‘e-gahs-pue’ Cup

Hekwch Bowl

Basics

Chyue kee saa’-a-go-che’-moh Let’s speak Yurok

Cho’ saa’-a-go-chem’ Say it in Yurok

Kues soo hey-go-lem’ ___? How do you say ___?

Tee’-nee-sho wee’? What is this called?

'Elekw. I don't know.

koweeshcho' Thank You/ I am greatful

Eating

Chyuuek’-we-nes. Sit Down (S)

Chee-wey-em’ hes? Are you hungry?

Keech chee-wey-ek’ I’m Hungry

Skey-wok kee ’ne-ne-pek’ ___. I want to eat___.

Ley-ko-mey-e-t’es ‘o yo’ kue ___. Place the ___here (pointing to spot).

Nek skuue-we-tek’ ___. I like the taste of ___.

Wey-no’-os ___ (item, not food). Chee ‘o’ ___ (food/drink). Give me ___.

Keech skey-ween-ne-pek’ I’m full.

Ko’-mee teyn-pey-ok’ kee-mokw ‘ne-sew! much I can’t breath!

Drinking

Che’-look-sem’ hes? Are you thirsty?

Che’-look-sek’ I'm thirsty

Skey-wok kee ’ne-rek-woh ___. I want to drink ___

Pa’-ah Water

Skuue-wo-lo-nee pa’ah Juice

Ler’-er’-gerh Coffee

Heyr-puen Mint tea

Skey-wok hes sloy-ew? Do you want ice?