Where can I learn Mohawk (Kanien’kéha)? | Culture and Language Studies

Experience with Mohawk?

Learn Mohawk Language (Kanien’kéha). This is the University of Waterloo's first Indigenous language course. The course is offered through Culture and Language Studies, in collaboration with the Waterloo Indigenous Student Centre at United College and is intended for University of Waterloo students in any Faculty or discipline with minimal to no knowledge of Kanien’kéha.

MOHAWK Course Offerings

MOHAWK 101R: Mohawk Language 1

This course focuses on the Grand River dialect of Kanien’kéha. Emphasizing oral skills, the course is intended for students with minimal to no knowledge of or language ability in Kanien’kéha. As Kanien’kéha is a verb-based, polysynthetic language, this course will also focus on verb construction, verb-morphology patterns and syntax structures.

[Note: Conducted in Mohawk. No prior knowledge of Mohawk is expected. Not open to students with advanced ability in Mohawk.]

(Cross-listed with INDG 101, counts toward Indigenous Studies minor)

MOHAWK 102R: Mohawk Language 2

This course will continue to concentrate on developing speaking proficiency at the novice level (according to the ACTFL – American Council on Teaching Foreign Languages proficiency scale). There will be a strong emphasis on speaking in-class and as Kanien’kéha is a verb-based, polysynthetic language, this course will also focus on verb construction, verb-mor-phology patterns and syntax structures.

[Note: Conducted in Mohawk.]

(Cross-listed with INDG 102, counts toward Indigenous Studies minor)