Bridging worlds with language
Welcome to the Memory in Hózhó Translation Tool, a vital resource for understanding Alzheimer's through the richness of Diné Bizaad. This tool is designed to empower families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals by providing culturally respectful translations, pronunciation guides, and deep insights into Diné values like Hózhǫ́. We believe that understanding begins with language, and this tool is our commitment to fostering clearer communication and deeper cultural connections in elderly care.
Unlock understanding, honor culture
This glossary is designed to support understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive health through both medical knowledge and the Diné cultural perspective. Some medical terms do not have traditional Navajo equivalents; in these cases, descriptive translations are used respectfully.
Alzheimer’s & Cognitive Health Glossary
Language Note
Diné Bizaad (Navajo) is a tonal language. Accent marks (á, ą́, ł, zh) affect meaning and pronunciation.
Cultural Note
Some modern medical terms do not have traditional equivalents. Descriptive translations are used respectfully to support education and understanding.
| English Term | Navajo Translation (Diné Bizaad) | Pronunciation Guide | Simple Definition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's Disease | Dóó naʼníłtsáhígíí nitsáhákees doo bee naʼnishą́ą́ʼígíí | Doh nah-neel-tsáh-hee-gee nee-tsá-hah-kees doh beh nah-nish-ą́ą́-hee-gee | A disease that slowly affects memory and thinking. |
| Dementia | Nitsáhákees doo bee naʼnishą́ą́ʼí | Nee-tsá-hah-kees doh beh nah-nish-ą́ą́-ee | Memory and thinking problems that affect daily life. |
| Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) | Nitsáhákees t’áá ajiłiiʼ doo yáʼátʼééh da | Nee-tsá-hah-kees tah ah-jee-lee doh yah-ah-t’eh dah | Nah-neel-tsáh doh yah-ah-t’eh dah |
| Memory | Naʼníłtsáh | Nah-neel-tsáh | Ability to remember. |
| Memory Loss | Naʼníłtsáh doo yáʼátʼééh da | Nah-neel-tsáh doh yah-ah-t’eh dah | Forgetting more than usual. |
| Forgetfulness | T’áá naʼníłtsáh doo | Tah nah-neel-tsáh doh | Occasional memory difficulty. |
| Mind / Thinking | Nitsáhákees | Nee-tsá-hah-kees | The ability to think and reason. |
| Confusion | Doo baa haneʼ da | Doh bah hah-neh dah | Not understanding what is happening. |
| Disorientation | Hahoodzo doo baa haneʼ da | Hah-hood-zoh doh bah hah-neh dah | Not knowing where or when you are. |
| Personality Change | Áłtsʼíísí nitsáhákees łahgo | Ahl-ts’ee-see nee-tsá-hah-kees lah-go | Acting differently than before. |
| Wandering | Náhástʼéí | Ahl-ts’ee-see nee-tsá-hah-kees lah-go | Walking without direction or purpose. |
| Agitation | T’áá ch’íiyáán | Tah chee-yahn | Restlessness or distress. |
| Sundowning | T’áá shádiʼááh nitsáhákees doo yáʼátʼééh da | Tah shah-dee-ah nee-tsá-hah-kees doh yah-ah-t’eh dah | Increased confusion in the evening. |
| Brain | Atsʼíísí naaltsoos bikááʼ dah siʼání | Aht-see-see nahlt-sohs bih-kah dah see-ah-nee | Organ that controls thinking and body. |
| Hippocampus | (No direct traditional equivalent) | Brain area important for memory. | |
| Cognitive Decline | Nitsáhákees nihá doo yáʼátʼééh da | Aht-see-see nahlt-sohs bih-kah dah see-ah-nee | Worsening thinking ability. |
| Elder (Male) | Hastiin | Has-teen | Respected older man. |
| Elder (Female) | Asdzáán | As-dzáán | Respected older woman. |
| Caregiver | Ałk’idáá’ ánííníshníí | Ahl-k’i-dah ah-nee-neesh-nee | One who provides care. |
| Family | K’é | K’eh | Family and kinship system. |
| Healing | Hózhóójí | Hoh-zhoh-jee | Restoring balance. |
| Balance / Harmony | Hózhó | Hoh-zhoh | State of wellness. |
| Spiritual Wellness | Hózhó doo nihił bééhózin | Hoh-zhohHoh-zhoh doh nee-hill beh-hoh-zin | Spiritual balance and awareness. |
| Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) | T’áá ajiłiiʼ bee naanish | Tah ah-jee-lee beh nah-nish | Basic daily tasks. |
| Long-Term Care | T’áá ajiłiiʼ haneʼ bee ánííníshníí | Tah ah-jee-lee hah-neh beh ah-nee-neesh-nee | Ongoing support for illness. |
| Respite Care | T’áá hólǫ́ʼ ánííníshníí | Tah hoh-lohn ah-nee-neesh-nee | Temporary caregiver relief. |
| Risk Factor | T’áá nihá bee hólǫ́ʼ | Tah nee-hah beh hoh-lohn | Something that increases chance of disease. |
| Genetics | T’áá nihá bee hólǫ́ʼ | Tah nee-hah beh hoh-lohn | Traits passed through family. |
| Depression | Ałk’idááʼ bee hazʼą́ | Ahl-k’i-dah beh haz-ah | Persistent sadness. |
| Anxiety | Doo shił naashá da | Doh sheel nah-shah dah | Ongoing worry. |
| Neurodegenerative Disease | Atsʼíísí nitsáhákees nihá doo yáʼátʼééh da | Disease that damages brain cells over time. | |
| Clinical Diagnosis | Beʼiina nitsáhákees bee haneʼ | Beh-ee-nah nee-tsá-hah-kees beh hah-neh | Medical identification of disease. |