[bintcbil uut'aa' = Red-shafted Flicker's feather] The Dancing Elk 1
Cahto Language

from Bill Ray (via Goddard 1909)

California Athabaskan Languages & Cultures homepage Index of Stories Goddard's translation
Cahto 2English Translation 3

---- Toonai k'teegooh yaa'nii, Siinteekwot. ---- They speared fish at the South Fork of the Eel River 4, they say.
-------To#.nai---k'.te.qo#---yaE.n"Ü---sin.te.kwu^t
---- Fish / they speared, / they say, / Redwood creek.
"Kaakw wolhkalh," yaa'n yaa'nii. "Walk quickly!" they said, they say.
kakw---wo#;.ka7;---yaEn---yaE.n"Ü
"Quickly / walk," / they said, / they say.
"Doo-yeehee'ee. "I'm tired.
---------------do#.ye.heE.e
"I am tired.
Niiktc ghishaalh. I'll walk slowly.
n"Ükts---gu^c.ca;
Slowly / I walk.
Naadilyiich chin uuyeeh. We'll rest under a tree.
na.du^l.y"Üc---tcu^n)---u#.ye
We will rest / tree / under.
Toonai ndoo'-'angii. There are no fish.
to#.nai---n.do#E.u^n).g"Ü
Fish / are none.
Nandil'aa Siinteekwot. We will make a weir on the South Fork.
na7n.du^l.EaE---sin.te.kwu^t
We will make dam, / Redwood creek.
Al olhtcii. Gather some wood!
a7l---o#;.tc"Ü
Wood / make.
K'ing' ohk'ing'. Twist withes!
k'u^n)E---o#c.k'u^n)E
Withes / twist.
Naanin'ai' bilh ghilii'-bang. The weir will be tied together with them.
naa.nu^n.EaiE---bu^;---gu^l.l"ÜE.bu^n)
Dam / with them / will be tied.
Nakaa' ohk'ing'," tc'in yaa'nii. Two of you, twist them!" he said, they say.
na7k.kaE---o#c.k'u^n)E---tc'in---yaE.n"Ü
Two / twist," / he said / they say.
"Heeuu'." "Yes."
he.u#E
"Yes."
"Shghiinaa-'angii. "I'm hungry.
c.g"Ü.na.u^n).g"Ü
"I am hungry.
Deek'aa toonai tant'as. "Cut this fish!
de.k'a---to#.nai---tu^n.t'a7s
Here / fish / cut.
Sk'ee' taach'imilh. Boil some soup!
sk'eE---ta.tcu^m.mu^;
Soup / cook.
See kwong'ding nohliish. Put some stones in the fireplace!
se---kwo#n)E.du^n)---no#c.lic
Stones / fire place / put in.
K'at-dee' toonai lhaan-mankwosh. I guess there will be many fish soon.
k'a7t.deE---to#.nai---;a.mu^n.kwu^c
Soon / fish / will be many I guess.
Kaa', ch'ohyang. "Ok, eat!
---------------kaE---tc'o#c.ya7n)
Come, / eat.
Ist'ee-yee. It's cooked.
u^s.t'e.ye
It is cooked.
Kaa', ch'ohyang." Ok, eat!"
kaE---tc'o#c.ya7n)
Come, / eat."
"Heeuu', shlaa' tashchit. "Yes, I will wash my hands.
---------------he.u#E---c.laE---tu^c.tcu^t
"Yes, / my hands / I wash.
Toonai naaghileegh-ee haadaa'ang shii ishgoot," tc'in yaa'nii. A fish is swimming here from the north, I'll spear it," he said, they say.
to#.nai---na.gu^l.le#.Ge---hai.daE.u^n)---c"Ü---u^c.qo#t---tc'in---yaE.n"Ü
Fish / is swimming / here from north / I, / I will spear it," / he said / they say.
Waitc'ghingeet yaa'nii. He struck over it (missing), they say.
wai.tc'.gu^n.get---yaE.n"Ü
He struck over / they say.
Nakaa' toonai beenileeh yaa'nii, nakaa'. Two more fish swam by, they say.
na7k.kaE---to#.nai---be.nu^l.le#c---yaE.n"Ü---na7k.kaE
Two / fish / swam by, / they say, / two.
Lhaa'haa' ghegoot yaa'nii. He speared one, they say.
;aE.haE---ge7.qo#t---yaE.n"Ü
One only / he speared / they say.
Yiiskaan yaa'nii. It was day, they say.
---------------y"Üs.kan---yaE.n"Ü
It was day / they say.
"Shghiiyaal shii." "I'm sleepy."
---------------c.g"Ü.yal---c"Ü
"I am sleepy, / I."
"Heeuu', ntilaalh. "Yes, sleep!
---------------he.u#E---n.tu^l.la;
"Yes, / you sleep.
Kaa', al ooshlan shii." Ok, I'll get some wood."
kaE---a7l---o#c.la7n---c"Ü
Well, / wood / I will get, / I."
"Heeuu', al oohlan." "Yes, get some wood!"
---------------he.u#E---a7l---o#c.la7n
"Yes, / wood / get."
---- Tatc'isyai. He went up from the creek bed.
-------ta7t.tc'u^s.yai
---- He went from the creek.
Nee'kw'itdaa tc'tees'iing' yaa'nii. He looked about from on the bank, they say.
neE.k'wu^t.da---tc'.tes."Ün)E---yaE.n"Ü
Bank on / he looked / they say.
"Kat kwolish jeeschow," tc'in yaa'nii. "There seem to be elk there," he said, they say.
kat---kwu^l.lu^c---ges.tco#---tc'in---yaE.n"Ü
"There / I guess / elk," / he said / they say.
Laa'lhbaa'ang, chooyii-haa' laa'lhbaa'ang tc'ee'nyaa yaa'nii. Ten, and ten more came out, they say.
laE;.baE.u^n)---tco#.y"Ü.haE---laE;.baE.u^n)---tc'eEn.ya---yaE.n"Ü
Ten, / again / ten / came out / they say.
"Kaa', naahishdaa wankishnish," tc'in yaa'nii. "Well, I'll go back to tell them," he said, they say.
---------------kaE---na.hu^c.da---wu^n.ku^c.nu^c---tc'in---yaE.n"Ü
"Well, / I will go back / I will tell them," / he said / they say.
"Nii'ii jeeschow tc'eeniinai lhaang, oohtgish! "Say, lots of elk came out. Look!
---------------n"Ü."Ü---ges.tco#---tc'e.n"Ü.nai---;an)---o#c.t.gu^c
"Say / elk / came out / many. / Look!
Shkiik kaa', oodighee'." Ok, boys, let's look."
s.k"Ük---kaE---o#.du^g.geE
Boys / come, / we will look."
"Lh'ang-haa'." "It is so!"
---------------;Eu^n).haE
"It is so."
"Danteeshaan-mang, k'aa' ndoo-yee." "What will we do, there are no arrows?"
da7n.te#.ca.mu^n)---k'aE---n.do#.ye
"What will be, / arrows / are none."
"Doohaa'-dileeh-teelee. "We won't do anything.
---------------do#.haE.du^l.le.te#.le
"We will do nothing.
Lhaakwaa' noolh'iing'." Just look at them!"
;a.kwa---no#;.in)E
Just / look at them.
"Toonai kaanohtee." "Look for fish."
---------------to#.nai---ka.no#c.te#
"Fish / look for."
"Dooyee uutc'ing' ishtcaat." "No, I'll shout at them."
---------------do#.ye---o#.tc'u^n)E---u^c.tcat
"No, / to them / I will shout."
"Doo, doohaa' uutc'ing' ilhtcat," tc'in yaa'nii. "No, don't shout at them," he said, they say.
---------------do#---do#.haE---u#.tc'u^n)E---u^;.tca7t---tc'in---yaE.n"Ü
"No, / do not / to them / shout," / he said / they say.
"Uutc'ing' ishtcat-teelee." "I'm going to shout at them."
---------------o#.tc'u^n)E---u^c.tca7t.te#.le
"To them / I will shout."
"Heeuu', uutc'ing' ilhtcat." "Yes, shout at them."
---------------he.u#E---o#.tc'u^n)E---u^;.tca7t
"Yes, / to them / shout."
"Nindash yaa'nii, shaa nindaash." "They say you dance; dance for me!"
---------------nu^n.da7c---yaE.n"Ü---ca---nu^n.dac
"You dance, / they say, / for me / dance."
---- Jeeschow lheenee'haa' noo'tghintaalh yaa'nii. ---- All the elk were standing there, they say.
-------ges.tco#---;e.neE.haE---no#.t.gu^n.ta;---yaE.n"Ü
---- Elk / all / were standing / they say.
Kwneeghilh'iing'. They looked at him.
kw.ne.gu^;."Ün)E
They looked at him.
Lhtaateesyaa. They intermingled with each other.
;.ta.tes.ya
They intermingled.
Nee'-uunoo' nghindaash yaa'nii. They danced behind the hill, they say.
neE.u#.no#E---n.gu^n.dac---yaE.n"Ü
Hill behind / they danced / they say.
Tc'ee'ntdash yaa'nii. They danced out, they say.
tc'eEn.t.da7c---yaE.n"Ü
They danced out / they say.
Nee'-uunoo'-haa' dilniik' bilh. With a whistle just behind the hill.
neE.u#.no#E.haE---du^l.n"Ük'---bu^;
Hill behind only / whistle / with.
"Oontgish. "Look at them!
---------------o#n.t.gu^c
"Look at them.
Uutc'ing' ilhtcat-kwaan, lhtaahkii ninlh'iing'," tc'in yaa'nii. You have shouted to them; watch 'different things' 5," he said, they say.
o#.tc'u^n)E---u^;.tca7k.kwan---;.tac.k"Ü---nu^n.;in)E---tc'in---yaE.n"Ü
To them / you shouted; / different things / you look at," / he said / they say.
Nakaa' teelh'its yaa'nii. Two of them ran away, they say.
---------------na7k.kaE---te;.Eu^ts---yaE.n"Ü
Two / ran off / they say.
"Doo-teeshildash-teelee," tc'in yaa'nii. "I'm not going to run away," he said, they say.
do#.te.cu^l.da7c.te#.le---tc'in---yaE.n"Ü
"I will not go," / he said / they say.
Lhtcish tghinalhtsit yaa'nii, jeeschow nghindaash-iit. The dust flew around, they say, because the elk danced.
;.tcu^c---t.gu^n.na7;.tsu^t---yaE.n"Ü---ges.tco#---n.gu^n.da.c"Üt
Dust / flew around, / they say, / elk / danced because.
"Taahjii tsinteesolhdeel'?" tc'in yaa'nii. "Why did you (two) run away?" he said, they say.
---------------ta.dj"Ü---tsu^n.te.so#;.del'---tc'in---yaE.n"Ü
"Why / do you run off?" / he said / they say.
"Lhaa'haa' ndil'iing'-dee' dee naanolhkat." "Come back, we'll watch one."
;aE.haE---n.du^l."Ün)E.deE---de---na.no#;.ku^t
"One only / we will see / here / you come back."
"Diidjii olhsang?" "What did you see?"
---------------d"Ü.dj"Ü---o#;.sa7n)
"What / you see?"
"Tsinteesolhdeel'. "You (two) ran away.
---------------tsu^n.te.so#;.del'
"You ran off.
Nish'iing'-teelee. I'm going to watch.
nu^c."Ün)E.te#.le
I will look.
Doo-teeshildash-teelee." I'm not going to run away."
do#.te.cu^l.da7c.te#.le
I will not run off."
"Dang' shoo' waanaach'nee'iin-ee," tc'in yaa'nii. "I already tried to stop you, in vain," he said, they say.
---------------dan)E---co#E---wa.na.tc'.ne#."Ü.ne---tc'in---yaE.n"Ü
"Long ago / in vain / I tried to stop you," / he said / they say.
Lhaa'haa' tc'ee'nyaa yaa'nii, jeeschow tc'eek. One came out, they say, an elk woman.
---------------;aE.haE---tc'eEn.ya---yaE.n"Ü---ges.tco#---tc'ek
One only / came out, / they say, / elk / woman.
Uut'aanii bilh tc'ee'ndash yaa'nii. She danced out with her (fancy) dress, they say.
u#.t'a.n"Ü---bu^;---tc'eEn.da7c---yaE.n"Ü
Her dress / with / she danced out / they say.
Chooyii-haa' nakaa' dilniik' bilh ch'idjool yaaghees'aa' yaa'nii. Again there was the sound of two whistles, they say.
tco#.y"Ü.haE---na7k.kaE---du^l.n"Ük'---bu^;---tc'u^t.djo#l---ya.ges.EaE---yaE.n"Ü
Again / two / whistles / with / noise / was / they say.
"Uuchaa' nish'iin'-teelee." "I'm going to see her apron."
u#.tcaE---nu^c."ÜnE.te#.le
"Her apron / I will see."
Haaghee uudee' bilh nghindash yaa'nii. They danced for a long time with their horns, they say.
ha.Ge---o#.deE---bu^;---n.gu^n.da7c---yaE.n"Ü
Long time / its horn / with / it danced / they say.
Baang uudee' ndoo' yaa'nii. The doe had no horns, they say.
ban)---u#.deE---n.do#E---yaE.n"Ü
Doe / its horn / was not / they say.
Nshoong ghilhtcaat yaa'nii, lheenee'haa'. They (elk) shouted well (i.e. loudly), they say, all of them.
---------------n.co#n)---gu^;.tcat---yaE.n"Ü---;e.neE.haE
Well / they (elk) shouted, / they say, / all.
Hai wang tsinteelhdeel' yaa'nii. Some of those (men) ran away, they say.
hai---wu^n)---tsu^n.te;.de#l'---yaE.n"Ü
The / some / ran off / they say.
Lhaa'haa' naahneesh yiineel'iing' yaa'nii, lhaa'haa'. On man watched, they say, just one.
;aE.haE---na.nec---y"Ü.ne#l."Ün)E---yaE.n"Ü---;aE.haE
One only / man / looked, / they say, / one only.
Jeeschow taak'ding tghinais'aang uusii' ndoo-ii tghinaasii' yaa'nii, sii' tghinais'aan-iit. The elk turned around three times. When they turned around there heads were not "turned heads", they say.
ges.tco#---tak'.du^n)---t.gu^n.nais.Ean)---u#.s"ÜE---n.do#."Ü---t.gu^n.na.s"ÜE---yaE.n"Ü---s"ÜE---t.gu^n.nais.Ea.nit
Elk / three times / turned around / its head / was not / turned heads, / they say, / head / he turned around when.
Naaghii daatc'teemiil' yaa'nii, ninkaading. The men (elk men) picked up quivers, they say.
na.g"Ü---da.tc't.te.m"Ül---yaE.n"Ü---nu^n.ka.du^n)
Quivers / they picked up, / they say, / men.
S'iltiing', k'aa' daatc'teemiil' yaa'nii. They picked up bows and arrows, they say.
s'u^l.tin)E---k'aE---da.tc'.te.m"Ül---yaE.n"Ü
Bows, / arrows / they picked up / they say.
Lheenee'haa' ghilhtcaat yaa'nii. They all shouted, they say.
;e.neE.haE---gu^;.tcat---yaE.n"Ü
All / shouted / they say.
Nghindaash-it lhaa'haa'taah yeeghinaash yaa'nii. When they danced they went in (to the brush) one at a time, they say.
n.gu^n.da.cu^t---;a.haE.ta---ye.gu^n.nac---yaE.n"Ü
They danced when / one at a time / went in / they say.
Ts'ii' uunoo' ghileeh yaa'nii, jeeschow. The elk came to be behind (hidden by) the brush, they say.
ts'"ÜE---u#.no#E---gu^l.le---yaE.n"Ü---ges.tco#
Brush / behind / became, / they say, / elk.
Chooyii-haa' ts'ii' uunoo' taak'taah yeeghinyaa yaa'nii. Again three at a time went in behind the brush, they say.
tco#.y"Ü.haE---ts'"ÜE---u#.no#E---tak'.ta---ye.gu^n.ya---yaE.n"Ü
Again / brush / behind / three at a time / went in / they say.
Laa'saanii yeeghinyaa yaa'nii. Five went in, they say.
laE.sa.n"Ü---ye.gu^n.ya---yaE.n"Ü
Five / went in / they say.
Ts'ii' uunoo' yiibaanlhaa'haa'. Six behind the brush.
ts'"ÜE---u#.no#E---y"Ü.ban.;aE.haE
Brush / behind / six.
Chooyii-haa' yeeghinyaa yaa'nii, yiibaanakaa'. Again, they went in, they say, seven of them.
tco#.y"Ü.haE---ye.gu^n.ya---yaE.n"Ü---y"Ü.ban.na7k.kaE
Again / went in, / they say, / seven.
Ts'ii' uunoo' laa'lhbaa'ang yeeghinyaa yaa'nii, hai'ang-haa' ts'ii' uunoo', kwoosh uunoo'. Ten went in behind the brush, they say, in the same place behind the brush, behind the whitethorn bushes.
ts'"ÜE---u#.no#E---laE;.baE.u^n)---ye.gu^n.ya---yaE.n"Ü---hai.u^n).haE---ts'"ÜE---u#.no#E---kwo#c---u#.no#E
Brush / behind / ten / went in, / they say, / same place / brush / behind, / whitethorn / behind.
---- Naahneesh tc'eenaalkat, naahneesh yaa'niilh'iing' yaa'nii. ---- The people came back and looked at them, they say.
-------na.nec---tc'e.nal.ku^t---na.nec---yaE.n"Ü;.in)E---yaE.n"Ü
---- People / came out, / people they looked at / they say.
"Daayaa't'iing-jee?" yaa'n yaa'nii. "What did they do?" they said, they say.
da.yaE.t'in).ge---yaEn---yaE.n"Ü
"What did they do?" / they said / they say.
"Shoon-ke nindash?" yaa'n yaa'nii. "Did they dance well?" they said, they say.
co#n).ke7---nu^n.da7c---yaEn---yaE.n"Ü
"Well / they danced?" / they asked / they say.
"Heeuu', shook' nindaash-ii. "Yes, they danced well.
---------------he.u#E---con)k'---nu^n.da.c"Ü
"Yes, / well / they danced.
Lhaang lhtaahkii niish'iin-ee. I saw many different kinds (of dance).
;an)---;.tac.k"Ü---n"Üc."Ü.ne
Many / different ways / I saw.
Chaa'-bilh nghindaash-ee. They danced with dresses.
tcaE.bu^;---n.gu^n.da.ce
Dress with / they danced.
K'aa'-bilh nghindaash-ee. They danced with arrows.
k'aE.bu^;---n.gu^n.da.ce
Arrows with / they danced.
Yaa'doomin-ee. They grew small.
yaE.do#.mu^n.ne
They grew small.
Uudee' kowinyaan, nghinchaagh-ii. Their horns grew and got big.
u#.deE---ko#.wu^n.yan---n.gu^n.tca7G.G"Ü
Their horns / grew, / became large.
Doohaa'-shoodolhkit. Don't ask me.
do#.haE.co#.do#;.ku^t
Do not ask me.
Daang' kishteesohnaa-yee. You ran away earlier.
dan)E---ku^c.te.so#c.na.ye
Long ago / you ran off.
Doohaa'-neewolh'iin-ee." You did not look."
do#.haE.ne.wo#;."Ü.ne
You did not look."
"Lhaakiit aadohnee-kwanang. "You only said that.
---------------;a.kit---a.do#c.ne.kwa7n.na7n)
"For nothing / you talk.
Kwtning lhtaahkii doohaa'-olhtcaat-bang uutc'ing'. Next time you must not shout at 'different kinds'.
kw.t.nu^n)---;.tac.k"Ü---do#.haE.o#;.tca.bu^n)---u#.tc'u^n)E
Next time / different ways / you must not shout / close to them."
"Naasholhnaa-bang. "You must heal me.
---------------na.co#;.na.bu^n)
"You must examine me
Daashtyaashoo-dee', shoon-kii neelh'iin-ee, shiiyee' tc'aan lhkan ant'ee-hiit. Look well (to see) if anything is wrong, because my food tastes sweet."
dac.t.ya.co#.deE---co#n).k"Ü.ne#;."Ü.ne---c"Ü.yeE---tc'an---;.ku^n---a7n.t'e#.h"Üt
if anything is wrong. / Well / you look. / My / food / is sweet / because.
Shoon-k' nghindaash-ee. "They danced well.
---------------co#n)k'---n.gu^n.da.ce
Well / they danced.
Doohaa'-shoodolhkit. Do not ask me!
do#.haE.co#.do#;.ku^t
Do not ask me.
Kwanlhang-yee nhilhkwiilhnik. I have told you enough."
kwu^n.;a7n).ye---n.hu^;.kw"Ü;.nu^k
That is all / I have told you.
Danlhangjii toonai sohgoot?" "How many fish did you spear?"
---------------da7n.;a7n).gi---to#.nai---so#c.qo#t
How many / fish / you spear?"
"Ndoo-yee. "None."
---------------n.do#.ye
"None.
Laa'lhbaa'ang sdigoot-ee. "We speared ten."
---------------laE;.baE.u^n)---s.du^k.qo#.de
Ten / we speared.
Chooyii-haa' nheenailhkaa-teelee." "We will spend the night again."
---------------tco#.y"Ü.haE---n.he.nai;.ka.te#.le
Again / we will pass the night."
"Heeuu' al olhtcii. "Yes, gather some wood!
---------------he.u#E---a7l---o#;.tc"Ü
"Yes, / wood / you make.
Beenaadil'ai'. We will try again."
be.na.du^l.EaiE
We will try again.
Toonai ch'nolht'as. "Cut up some fish.
---------------to#.nai---tc'n.no#;.t'a7s
Fish / cut up.
K'at-dee' noondil-kwosh." They will might come soon."
k'a7t.deE---no#n.du^;.kwu^c
Soon / will come probably."
Heeuu' ch'nidilt'as toonai." "Yes, we'll cut up some fish."
---------------he.u#E---tc'n.nu^t.du^l.t'a7s---to#.nai
"Yes, / we will cut / fish."
Ghilhgheel' yaa'nii. It was evening, they say.
---------------gu^;.gel'---yaE.n"Ü
It was evening / they say.
Toonai yaa'tc'oongeeh yaa'nii. They speared fish, they say.
to#.nai---yaE.tc'o#n).ge---yaE.n"Ü
Fish / they speared / they say.
Lhaang ghegoot yaa'nii. They speared many of them, they say.
;an)---ge7.qo#t---yaE.n"Ü
Many / they speared / they say.
Daakw yiiskan yaa'nii. It was almost day, they say.
dakw---y"Üs.ka7n---yaE.n"Ü
Nearly / it was day / they say.
---- "Kaa', naach'tolhgheelh k'in'-milh. ---- "Ok, make up the loads with withes!
-------kaE---na.tc't.to#;.ge;---k'u^m.mu^;
---- "Come, / make up the loads / withes with.
Naidityaalh yeeh-bii'ang'. We will go back to the house.
nai.du^t.ya;---ye.b"ÜE.u^n)E
We will go home / house to.
Nee' nees-ee." It is far away."
neE---nes.se
Land is far."
Tc'teebiil' yaa'nii, Yeehliinding. They carried them, they say, to Yeehliinding.
tc'.te.b"Ül'---yaE.n"Ü---ye.l"Ün.du^n)
They carried them, / they say, / YelindiN.
"Kaakw naa'olhtkalh. "Walk back fast.
---------------kakw---na.o#;.t.ku^;
"Quickly / walk back.
Danteeshoo' uuleeng noohtaaghang." Something might have happened at our home."
da7n.te.co#E---u#.len)---no#c.ta.gu^n)
Something / may have happened / our home."
Naaltkat yaa'nii, yeeh-bii'. They came back into the house, they say.
---------------nal.t.ku^t---yaE.n"Ü---ye.b"ÜE
They came back, / they say, / house in.
Ndoo-yee. There were none.
n.do#.ye
"None.
Jeeschow uutc'ing' ghitcaat-it nghindaash-ee. "When he shouted at the elk they danced.
---------------ges.tco#---u#.tc'u^n)E---gu^l.tca.du^t---ngu^n.da.ce
Elk / at / he shouted when / they danced.
Saahding-haa' niish'iin-ee, tsinteelhdeel-it, saahding-haa'. I, alone, looked when they (two) ran away.
sac.du^n).haE---n"Üc."Ü.ne---tsu^n.te;.de#.lu^t---sac.du^n).haE
Alone / I looked, / they ran off when, / alone.
Haihiit doohaa'-kaakoosiileegh-ee; doohaa'-kaakoosiileegh-ee haihiit. Nevertheless I wasn't sick; I wasn't sick because of it.
hai.h"Üt---do#.haE.ka.ko#.s"Ü.le.Ge---do#.haE.ka.ko#.s"Ü.le.Ge---haih"Üt
Nevertheless / I wasn't sick. I wasn't sick / on account of that.
Toonai ndoo-yee. There were no fish.
to#.nai---n.do#.ye
Fish / were not.
Nakaa' nheeskaan-ii. We spent two nights.
na7k.kaE---n.hes.ka.n"Ü
Two / we spent the night.
Nandityaa-yee." We came home."
na7n.du^t.t.ya.ye
We came home."
---- Hootaa, "Chooyii-haa' naadityaash-teelee taashoodee'. ---- Then, "We will go back sometime again.
-------ho#.ta---tco#.y"Ü.haE---na.du^t.yac.te#.le---ta.co#.deE
---- Then, / "Again / we will go back / sometime.
K'aanshang toonai lhaan nooleeh-kwosh. This time there will probably be lots of fish.
k'an.ca7n)---to#.nai---;an---no#.le.kwu^c
This time / fish / many / will be probably.
Yoong s'isdaa-bangjaa'. That guy must stay behind.
yo#n)---s'u^s.da.bu^n).djaE
That fellow / must stay.
Lhtaahkii lhaang dilhtcin-shoo'-ee. He disturbs the 'different kinds' too much.
;.tac.k"Ü---;an)---du^;.tcin.co#.e
Different ways / much / he bothers.
Laa'lhbaa'ang teedityaa-jaa'. Ten of us will go.
laE;.baE.u^n)---te.du^t.ya.djaE
Ten / we will go.
Kwtning taak' nheenaiyolhkaa-jaa'. Next time we will spend three nights.
kw.t.nu^n)---tak'---n.he.nai.yo#;.ka.djaE
Next time / three / we will spend the night.
Ch'int'aan ohsit. Pound acorns!
tc'u^n.t'an---o#c.su^t
Acorns / pound.
Tideebilh-teelbang." We will need to carry them."
tu^t.de.bu^;.tel.bu^n)
We will need to carry them."
"Heeuu', kwaadileeh-teelee." "Yes, we will do that."
---------------he.u#E---kwa.du^l.le.te#.le
"Yes, / we will do that."
Bii'nooghilheek yaa'nii, sk'ee'. They soaked the mush, they say.
---------------b"ÜE.no#.gu^;.;ek---yaE.n"Ü---sk'eE
They soaked, / they say, / mush.
"Lheenee'haa' ch'ohsit ch'int'aang. "All of you pound acorns.
---------------;e.neE.haE---tc'o#c.su^t---tc'u^n.t'an)
"All / you pound / acorns.
Toonai oondilan-teelee. We are going to get fish.
to#.nai---o#n.du^l.la7n.te#.le
Fish / we will go after.
T'astee ghigheelh-teelee. I'm going to carry the acorn dough.
t'u^s.te#---gu^c.ge;.te#.le
Dough / I will carry.
Kiitsaa' wohteelh-bang taich'tbilh-bang. You should carry the basket-pot to cook it.
k"Ü.tsaE---wo#c.te#;.bu^n)---tai.tc't.bu^;.bu^n)
Basket-pot / you must carry / will cook it.
Niin lhaa' ghingheelh-teelee. You carry a pack, too!
nin---;aE---gu^n.e;.te#.le
You, / too, / you carry.
Lheenee'haa' tidighee'. All of us will carry packs.
;e.neE.haE---tu^t.du^g.geE
All / we will carry.
Wang t'ast tolhteeh laashee'. Make some buckeye dough!
wu^n)---t'u^st---to#;.te---la.ceE
Some / dough / you make / buckeye.
Ch'wohbilh wang ch'tighaang." Carry some 'mouldy acorns'!
tc'.wo#c.bu^;---wu^n)---tc't.tu^g.gan)
You carry / some / mouldy acorns."
Teetbiil' yaa'nii. It rained, they say.
---------------te#t.b"Ül'---yaE.n"Ü
It rained / they say.
Doohaa'-tc'teelhkat yaa'nii. They didn't go, they say.
do#.haE.tc't.te;.ku^t---yaE.n"Ü
They didn't go / they say.
"Tashoo-dee' niingyaan-dee' tidiiyaa-jaa'. "Whenever it clears off let's set out
---------------ta7c.co#.deE---nin).yan.deE---tu^t.d"Ü.ya.djaE
"Sometime / clears off when / we will go.
Ndil'iing'. We will watch.
n.du^l.in)E
We will look.
Lheenee'haa' noh'iil. All of you stay here!
;e.neE.haE---no#c."Ül
All / you stay.
Niingyang-kwaang'angii." It has cleared off."
nin).ya7n).kwan).u^n).g"Ü
It has cleared off."
---- "Kaa', ghidiiyaalh, lheenee'haa'. ---- "Ok, all of us will go.
-------kaE---gu^t.d"Ü.ya;---;e.neE.haE
---- "Come, / we will go, / all.
Beelkaats niing ch'ohbilh. You carry spears!
bel.kats---nin)---tc'o#c.bu^;
Spear / you / carry.
Ch'kaak' lhaa' wohgheelh. Another of you carry the net.
tc'.kak'---;aE---wo#c.ge;
Net / another / you carry.
Djeeh lhaa' naatc'olhgheelh. Let another one carry pitchwood.
djec---;aE---na.tc'o#;.ge;
Pitchwood / another / let him carry.
Wohgheelh." Carry them!"
wo#c.ge;
Carry them."
Tc'telhkat yaa'nii. They set out, they say.
---------------tc'.te;.ku^t---yaE.n"Ü
They went / they say.
Kaa', kowolhkalh. "Ok, walk ?!
---------------kaE---ku#.wo#;.ka7;
"Well, / walk.
Nee' nees-ee. It is a long way.
neE---ne#.se
Land / is far.
Ndityaa kaakw," tc'in yaa'nii. We'll go fast," he said, they say.
n.du^t.ya---kakw---tc'in---yaE.n"Ü
We go / fast," / / he said / they say.
Naaniing'ai' kandintc yaa'sliing' yaa'nii. They got close to the weir, they say.
---------------na.nin).EaiE---ku^n.du^ntc---yaEs.lin)E---yaE.n"Ü
Dam / close / they became / they say.
Tc'nilkat yaa'nii. They arrived, they say.
tc'n.nu^l.ku^t---yaE.n"Ü
They came there / they say.
Al olhtcii, shkiik. "Gather some wood, my children!
a7l---o#;.tc"Ü---c.k"Ük
"Wood / make, / my children.
Ishyiit. I'll build a house.
u^c.y"Üt
I will make a house.
Tootbilh-ang," tc'in yaa'nii. It might rain," he said, they say.
to#t.bu^;.u^n)---tc'in---yaE.n"Ü
It may rain," / he said / they say.
S'isyii' yaa'nii. He built a house, they say.
---------------s'u^s.y"ÜE---yaE.n"Ü
He made a house / they say.
Al yaa'lhtcii yaa'nii. They gathered the wood, they say.
a7l---yaE;.tc"Ü---yaE.n"Ü
Wood / they made / they say.
"K'at-dee' toonai lhaan nooleeh-bang. "Soon many fish will reach this point.
---------------k'a7t.deE---to#.nai---;an---no#.le.bu^n)
"Soon / fish / many / will be.
Al olhtcii." Gather some wood!"
a7l---o#;.tc"Ü
Wood / you make."
---- Hootaa ghilhgheel' yaa'nii. ---- Then it was evening, they say.
-------ho#.ta---gu^;.gel'---yaE.n"Ü
---- Then / it was evening / they say.
Naaniin'ai'-kw'it olhk'aang. "Make a fire on the weir!
---------------na.nin.EaiE.k'wu^t---o#;.k'an)
"Dam on / make a fire.
Ghilhgheel-ee. It is evening.
gu^;.gel.le
It is evening.
Kaa', olhk'ang," tc'in yaa'nii. Ok, make a fire," he said, they say.
kaE---o#;.k'a7n)---tc'in---yaE.n"Ü
Well, / build a fire," / / he said / they say.
Ch'kaak' yaaghikaan yaa'nii, toonai bang. He put the net in for fish, they say.
tc'.kak'---ya.ge7.kan---yaE.n"Ü---to#.nai---bu^n)
Net / he put in, / they say, / fish / for.
"Beelkee' kw'itnoohliish beelkats. "Attatch the spear-point onto the shaft!
---------------bel.keE---k'wu^n.no#c.lic---bel.ka7ts
"Spear-point / put on / pole.
Toonai naa'onteel-eekwosh." The fish may come."
to#.nai---na.o#n.te.le.kwu^c
Fish / may come."
Hootaa toonai nanteel-ee yaa'nii. Then the fish came, they say.
---------------ho#.ta---to#.nai---nu^n.te.le#---yaE.n"Ü
Then / fish / came / they say.
Gees ingoot." "Spear the black salmon!"
---------------ges---u^n).qo#t
"Black salmon / spear."
Toonai hootaa s'isgooh yaa'nii. Then he speared the fish, they say.
---------------to#.nai---ho#.ta---s'u^s.qo#---yaE.n"Ü
Fish / then / he speared / they say.
"Ch'kaak' noohtiish," tc'in yaa'nii. "Hold the net!" he said, they say.
---------------tc'.kak'---no#c.t"Üc---tc'in---yaE.n"Ü
"Net / hold," / he said / they say.
Doo-yaa'kaash yaa'nii. They didn't net it, they say..
---------------do#.yaE.kac---yaE.n"Ü
They didn't net it / they say.
Beenileeh yaa'nii. It swam in, they say..
be.nu^l.le---yaE.n"Ü
It swam in / they say.
"Toonai ohkaan. "Net the fish!"
to#.nai---o#c.kan
"Fish / net.
Toonai wang shghiinaa-ee. I'm hungry for fish.
to#.nai---wu^n)---c.g"Ü.na.e
Fish / for / I am hungry.
Taaht'as," tc'in yaa'nii. Cut it up," he said, they say.
tac.t'a7s---tc'in---yaE.n"Ü
Cut it," / he said / they say.
Lhaa'haa' naahneec, "Heeuu', beeshnaa'." One man (said), "Yes, I'll roast it."
---------------;aE.haE---na.nec---he.u#E---bec.naE
One / man, / "Yes, / I roast it."
Deek'aa taat'aats' yaa'nii. He cut it up there, they say.
de.k'a---tas.t'ats---yaE.n"Ü
There / he cut it / they say.
Teehnaatc'isdeeh yaa'nii, too-bii'. He washed it, they say, in the water.
tec.na.tc'u^s.de---yaE.n"Ü---to#.b"ÜE
He washed it, / they say, / water in.
"Deet'ash-teelit." "I'll roast it."
---------------de.tu^c.te#.lit
"I will roast it."
Dee'tghin'ang yaa'nii, kwong'ding. He put it in the fire, they say, the fireplace.
de.t.gu^n.Ea7n)---yaE.n"Ü---kwo#n)E.du^n)
He put it in the fire, / they say, / fire place.
"Taach'ohbilh." "Cook some soup!"
ta.tc'o#c.bu^;
"Cook soup."
"Ist'ee-yeekwolish'ang, toonai ist'ee-yeekwolish'ang." "I guess it's done; I guess the fish is done."
u^s.t'e.ye.kwu^l.lu^c.u^n)---to#.nai---u^s.t'e.ye.kwu^l.lu^c.u^n)
"It is done I guess, / fish / is done I guess."
Taach'ohbiil' yaa'nii. They cooked some soup, they say.
---------------ta.tc'o#c.b"Ül'---yaE.n"Ü
They cooked soup / they say.
"Kaa', naach'diltcaan, ist'ee-yee, shkiik," tc'in yaa'nii. "Come, we will eat; it is cooked, my children," he said, they say.
---------------kaE---na.tc'.du^l.tcan---u^s.t'e.ye---c.k"Ük---tc'in---yaE.n"Ü
"Come, / we will eat, / it is cooked, / my children," / he said / they say.
Naa'tghistcaan yaa'nii. They ate a meal, they say.
---------------na.t.gu^s.tcan---yaE.n"Ü
They ate / they say.
"Kaa', teesoh'iing'. "Ok, go look!
---------------kaE---te.so#c."Ün)E
"Come, / look.
Toonai aateeghing naa'onteel-ee'ang'," yaa'n yaa'nii. Fish might have come around yourselves," they said, they say.
to#.nai---a.te.gu^n)---na.o#n.te.le.u^n)E---yaEn---yaE.n"Ü
Fish / around yourselves / might come," / they said / they say.
"Biikeenintcit chin-melhyiits 6 nolh'iing. "Look at the net trigger!
b"Ü.ke.nu^n.tcu^t---tcu^m.me;..y"Üts---no#;."Ün)
"Net string / stick tied with / look at.
Hiitooloos-kwosh. I guess it's pulling.
h"Ü.to#.lo#s.kwu^c
It is pulling I guess.
Ch'ghiichaagh-ee," tc'in yaa'nii. I've eaten enough," he said, they say.
tc'.g"Ü.tca7g.ge---tc'in---yaE.n"Ü
I have eaten enough," / he said / they say.
"Shii, lhaa', ch'ghiichaagh-ee," tc'in yaa'nii. "I've eaten enough, too," he said, they say.
---------------c"Ü---;aE---tc'.g"Ü.tca7g.ge---tc'in---yaE.n"Ü
"I, / too / I have eaten enough," / he said / they say.
Hootaa, "Kaa', kaaheesdii'iing'," tc'in yaa'nii. Then, "Ok, we'll look for them," he said, they say.
---------------ho#.ta---kaE---ka.hes.d"Ü."Ün)E---tc'in---yaE.n"Ü
Then, / "Well, / we will look for them," / he said / they say.
Toonai ghegooh yaa'nii. They speared fish, they say.
---------------to#.nai---ge7.qo#---yaE.n"Ü
Fish / he speared / they say.
Hai tl'ee' nindil, laa'lhbaa'ang ghegooh yaa'nii, toonai. They (fish) came that night. They speared ten fish, they say.
hai---;eE---nu^n.du^l---laE;.baE.u^n)---ge7.qo#---yaE.n"Ü---to#.nai
That / night / they came, / ten / they speared, / they say, / fish.
---- Yiiskan yaa'nii. ---- It was morning, they say.
-------yis.ka7n---yaE.n"Ü
---- It was day / they say.
"Naadityaalh yeeh-bii'ang'. "We'll go home to the house.
---------------na.du^t.ya;---ye.b"ÜE.u^n)E
"We will go home / house to.
Toonai ghinlhaan-ii." There are many fish."
to#.nai---gu^n.;a.n"Ü
Fish / are many."
Tc'teebiil' yaa'nii, yeeh-bii'ang'. They carried them to the house, they say.
---------------tc'.te.b"Ül'---yaE.n"Ü---ye.b"ÜE.u^n)E
They carried them, / they say, / house to.
"Kaakw naawohdilh," yaa'n yaa'nii. "Go quickly!" they said, they say.
---------------kakw---na.wo#c.du^;---yaEn---yaE.n"Ü
"Quickly / you go," / they said / they say.
"Nee' nees-ee. "It's a long way.
neE---ne#.se
"Land / is far.
Ts'isnoo' nchaagh-ee. The mountain is large."
ts'u^s.no#E---n.tcaG.Ge
Mountain / is large."
Kanding naasdiliin-ee." "We are close."
---------------ku^n.du^n)---nas.du^l.l"Ü.ne
"Close / we are."
Naaltkat yaa'nii, yeeh-bii', kwanlhaang. They all came back to the house, they say.
---------------nal.t.ku^t---yaE.n"Ü---ye.b"ÜE---kwu^n.;an)
They came back, / they say, / house in / all.
"Daang' ang sk'ee' taateesohbiil'?" tc'in yaa'nii. "Have you cooked acorn mush yet?" he said, they say.
---------------dan)E---u^n)---sk'eE---ta.te.so#c.b"Ül'---tc'in---yaE.n"Ü
"Already / mush / you have cooked?" / he said / they say.
"Dooyee doo-taich'dibil-ee." "No, we haven't cooked it."
---------------do#.ye---do#.tai.tc'.du^b.bu^l.le
"No, / we have not cooked."
"Toonai beeshnaa'," tc'in yaa'nii. "I'll roast a fish," he said, they say.
---------------to#.nai---bec.naE---tc'in---yaE.n"Ü
"Fish / I will roast," / he said / they say.
Naahneesh lhaang kwanlhan-haa' yii-bii'taah toonai deetighi'ang yaa'nii. Many people roasted fish at all the houses, they say.
---------------na.nec---;an)---kwu^n.;a7n.haE---y"Ü.b"ÜE.tac---to#.nai---de.te7.ge7.Ea7n)---yaE.n"Ü
People / many / all / houses among / fish / they roasted / they say.
"Sk'ee' ist'ee-yee ghint'ee. "The mush is cooked now.
---------------sk'eE---u^s.t'e.ye---gu^n.t'e#
"Mush / is cooked / now.
Kaa', ch'ohyan." Ok, eat."
kaE---tc'o#c.ya7n
Come / eat."
"Doo-wohhee'ee nee'nchaaghding naaheesohtyaa-hit. "You are tired because you've come back over a large area.
---------------do#.wo#c.heE.e---neEn.tcac.du^n)---na.hes.so#c.t.ya.hu^t
"You are tired / country large / you have come because.
Yaa'ntohlalh. Go to sleep."
yaEn.to#c.la7;
Go to sleep.
Nteesiilaal-teel lhan sk'ee' nchaagh teeghiilhtseegh-it." "I'll sleep a lot since I've eaten large amount of mush."
---------------n.te.s"Ü.lal.tel---;a7n---sk'eE---n.tcaG---te.g"Ü;.tse.gu^t
I will sleep / much / mush / large / I have eaten because."
---- Kwanlhang. ---- That is all.
-------kwu^n.;a7n)
---- All.

1. Goddard footnote 238: "These elk are the ordinary animals surprised in or induced to take their semi-human form which they, in common with several other animals, are believed to possess at times."
2. Click on highlighted words to search for them in the Dictionary/Lexical database. The top line is in the practical orthography. The middle line is in Goddard's transcription except that "underhook"/"Polish hook" is represented by "subscript left half-ring" ("underhook" is not present in the SIL IPA fonts). The bottom line is Goddard's word-by-word translation, with [occasional additions or emendations by me in square brackets].
3. Line-by-line translation by me, largely informed by Goddard's translation, but attempting to translate every sentence, and to do so more literally (within the limits of English readability).
4. Goddard calls the South Fork of Eel River in JAckson Valley "Redwood creek"
5. Idiom: lhtaahkii, different things = strange, uncommon, unnatural things
6. gfn 209: "These two words refer to a string coming up from the body of the net to which a small stick is tied, the moving of which gives warning of the presence of a fish in the net."

Goddard's Translation

The people were going to Redwood creek to spear fish. " Walk
fast," they said.
"I am tired, I will walk slowly. We will rest under the tree.
There are no fish. We will make a fish-weir at Redwood creek.
Gut some wood. Twist some withes to tie the weir with. Two
of you twist them, " the chief commanded. " Cut this fish. Make
some soup. Put stones in the fire to heat. I think there will be plenty of fish soon."
" Come and eat. It is cooked. "
"Yes, I will wash my hands. A fish is swimming up the
stream. I will spear it." He struck over it. Two fish swam by.
He speared only one.
It was day. "I am sleepy, "he said.
"Well, you sleep, I will get wood."
"Yes, you get wood."
He went from the creek bed up on the bank and looked.
"They look like elk," he said. Twenty of them came out of the
brush. "Well, I will go back and tell the others," he said. " Look, elk. Come and look. Many elk have come out."
"That is so," he said. "What will we do, there are no arrows?"
"We will do nothing. We will just look at them."
"Look for fish."
"No, I will shout at them."
"No, do not shout at them," he told him.
" I am going to shout at them. "
"Well, shont at them."
" They say you dance, dance for me. " The elk were all standing there. They looked at him. They intermingled. They danced behind the hill. They came out dancing. Only behind the hill was there whistling. They looked at them. "You have shouted at them. You will see something uncommon," he said.
Two of them ran off. "I will not go," said one of them. The dust flew around because of the dancing of the elk.
"Why do you run off I" he asked them. "Come back here, we will see it only once and then you may run away. I will look at it. I will not run off. "
"I have already tried to stop you in vain," he said to him.
One elk woman came out by herself and danced with a dress. Again there was whistling twice. They were getting ready. "I will see her apron," he said. They danced for a long time with their horns. The does had no horns.
All shouted loudly. Some of the men ran off. Only one man watched them. The elk turned around three times. Their heads were not when they turned. When they turned around the men (elk) picked up their quivers with their bows and arrows. They all shouted.
When they had danced they went into the brush one at a time and became elk. Again three of them went behind the brush. Five went in. Again six went in behind the brush. Seven went behind the brush. Eight went in the same place. Ten went into the whitethorn brush.
The people came out again. They looked at him. "What did they do I " they asked. " Did they dance well I "
"Yes, they danced well. I saw them dance many different ways. They danced with dresses and with arrows. They grew small. Their horns grew large. Do not ask me. You did not look at them."
"You only say that. Next time you must not shout close to them."
"You must doctor me. See what is the matter with me. Why is my food sweet?"
"They danced well. Do not ask me. That is enough. I have told you."
" How many fish did you spear?"
" None. " " There are none. " " We speared ten. "
" We will stay here another night. "
"Yes, you get some wood. We will try again."
" Cut some fish. They will come again soon. "
" Yes, we will cut the fish. "
It was evening. They speared many fish. When it was nearly morning he said to them, "Make up the loads with withes. We will go back to the house. It is a long way. They carried them to YelindiN.
"Walk fast," he said. "Something may have happened at our home. "
They came home. No one was in the house.
"When he shouted at the elk they danced. I, alone, looked at them when the others ran off. Nevertheless I am not sick. There were no fish. We stayed a second night and then we came home. "
"We will go again sometime. There will probably be many fish then. That fellow must stay at home. He talks every kind of a way. Ten men will go. We will stay three nights. Pound acorns. We will need them to carry."
"Yes, we will do that."
They soaked the flour and made mush.
"All of you pound acorns. We are going for some fish. I will carry the dough. You carry the basket-pot to cook it in. You, too, carry something. All of us will carry something. Some of you carry dough, some of you carry buckeye mush, and some of you carry mouldy acorns."
It rained. They did not go.
"When it clears off we will go. We will look. You all stay here. It has cleared off. Come, we will all go. You carry the spear. You carry a net. You carry pitchwood."
They set out.
" Walk fast. It is a long way. We will go fast, " he said.
They were close by the fish-weir. They came there.
"Get some wood, my children. I will build a house. It may rain," he said.
He made a house. They got the wood.
" Soon many fish may come, " he said. " Get wood for them. "
Then it was night.
"Make a fire by the weir. It is evening. Kindle a fire quickly." He put the net in the stream.
"Put the spear-point on the pole. The fish may come."
Then the fish came.
"Spear the black salmon."
He speared it.
"Hold the net, "he said. They didn't catch it. It swam in. "Catch it. I am hungry for fish. Cut it."
"yes, I will roast it," said one man.
He cut it there, and washed it.
"I will roast it." He put it in the fire. "Cook soup." "I think the fish is done."
They cooked soup.
"Come, my children, we will eat. It is cooked."
They ate.
"Go and look. Fish may have come. Look at the stick tied to the net-string, I think it is twitching. I have eaten enough."
"I, too, have eaten enough."
"Well, we will look for them," they said.
They speared fish. They came that night. They speared ten. It was morning.
"We will go home. There are plenty of fish."
They carried them along.
"Walk fast," they said. "It is far and the mountain is large."
"We are near."
They all came back to their houses.
"Have you already cooked mush I" he asked.
" No, we have not cooked it. "
"I will roast a fish."
Many people at all the houses roasted fish.
"The mush is cooked now, come and eat."
"Are you tired?" "You have come a long way. Go to sleep."
"I will sleep because I have eaten very much mush."
That is all.
8/30/99 Sally Anderson using perl version 5.034000