Blackfoot/Siksika Grammar

Ramshaw, Neil, RAMSHAN (ramshan@btlip11.bt.co.uk)
Mon, 24 Jul 1995 11:33:00 BST


Hi folks,

To go completely off on a tangent from my last request for help with Dakota
grammar, I have a question about Siksika grammar. (My language interests
are fairly diverse).

I understand that in Siksika there is a 'singular' marker/suffix for a noun
as well as a 'plural' suffix.

The singular suffix is either '-yi' or '-wa', the plural '-iksi' or '-itsi'?

What is the rule for choosing between the two different suffixes. Or is it
simply a case of learning each word as you come to it?

Thanks,

Neil Ramshaw ramshan@mlb273a.btlabsmh.bt.co.uk
or
ramshan@btlip11.bt.co.uk