Generally speaking, the Ocheti Sakowin are divided into three linguistic groups, according to dialect. While we are most often called The Sioux, we are members of each Oyate found within the three dialects. For example, the Ihanktonwan Nakota are generally known today as the Yankton Sioux. The three dialects are:

Ocheti Sakowin

• D: Dakota--Dah-koe-tah: Sisitonwan--See-see-ton-wan, Bdewankantonwan, Wahpekute, Wahpetonwan
  
• L: Lakota--Lah-koe-tah: Oglala, Sicangu, Itazipco, Mni Owoju, Sihasapa, Oohenumpa, Hunkpapa
  
• N: Nakota--Nah-koe-tah: Ihanktonwan, Ihanktonwanna

Cante--chahn-tay: heart

Hanhepiwin--hahn-hay-pee-ween: night sun, moon

Hechitu yedo--hay-chee-too yay doe: That's the way it is, I have said.

Ikce wicasa--eek-chay wee-chah-sha: natural human, common man

Itokaga--ee-toe-kaa-gah: south

Koda, kola--koe-dah, koe-lah: friend (man's languague)

Maka,--mah-kah: earth

Maza ska--mah-zah skah: white metal, money

Mitakuye Oyasin--Mee-tah-koo-yay O-yah-seen: All My Relatives

Nagi--nah-ghee: spirit, soul

Ocheti Sakowin--oe-chay-tee sha-koe-ween: Seven Council Fires

Ota--oe-tah: plenty, much

Oyate--oe-yah-tay: People

Pejuta sapa--peh-zhoo-tah sah-pah: black medicine (coffee)

Pidamayo--pee-dah-mah-yoe: thank you

Pte--ptay: buffalo

Sa--shah: red

Sapa--sah-pah: black

Sica--shee-chah: bad, ugly, wicked

Ska--skah: white

Takoja--tah-koe-zha: grandchild

Tanka--tahn-kah: big

Tunkashina--toon-kah-shee-nah: grandfather spirit

Unchi--oon-chee: grandmother

Unkola--un-koe-lah: unfriend, enemy, eehhh!

Wacantognaka--wa-chon-toeg-nah-kah: generosity

Wacipi--wah-chee-pee: dancing, the dance

Wakanheza--wah-kahn-hay-zah: children

Wanmdi--wahnm-dee: eagle

Waste--wash-tay: good

Waziyata--wah-zee-yah-tah: north

Win--ween: woman

Wiyohiyanpa--wee-yoe-hee-yahn-pah: east

Wiyohpeyata--wee-yoh-pay-yah-tah: west

Woksape--woek-sah-pay: wisdom

Woohitika--woe-oh-hee-tee-kah: bravery

Wowacintanka--woe-wah-chin-tahn-kah: fortitude

Zi--zee: yellow

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17 February 2000, lrb