Okinawan language

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Okinawan language(沖縄語 おきなわご Okinawago、琉球語 りゅうきゅうご Ryuukyuugo ウチナーグチ Uchina-guchi)is a language spoken in Okinawa and Amami regions of Japan. Some linguists believe it has branched off from ancient (6th to 12th) Japanese.

[edit] Sample Vocabulary of Okinawan

  • Menso-re(めんそーれ)- Welcome, Hello (when receiving)
  • Haisai(ハイサイ) - Hello (when visiting)
  • Ganjyuu - Fine health (in greeting)
  • Uchinanchu(ウチナンチュ) - Okinawan people
  • Yamatonchu( ヤマトンチュ) - Japanese mainlander
  • Waraba, Warabi(ワラバー) - Children
  • Yuntaku(ユンタク) - Talking
  • Wan, Wah - Me or I
  • Iyah - informal You
  • Unjyu - polite form of you
  • Yinagu - woman
  • Yikiga - man
  • Uya - parents
  • Kwa - a child ( as opposed to Parents)
  • Niiseh - a yong man
  • Boujya - a baby
  • Inne - a dog
  • Inn-gwa - little doggie
  • Mayah - a cat
  • Mayah-gwa - a little kitten
  • Heejya - a goat