Pejorative vs. Diminutive

[Marguerite MacKenzie]

Yes, there is a 'pejorative' suffix in Innu, as well as the diminutive. But it is very restricted and we have decided to not use the term 'pejorative'  in the new Pan-Innu dictionary.

The diminutive occurs on both nouns (-iss) and verbs (-ishi-) and is productive. The verbal diminutive is most productive in the Betsiamites dialect, where it is obligatory with many verbs that do not require its use in other dialects. For instance 'minu-tshishkau' 'it is a nice day, nice weather' is always pronounced as 'minu-tshishikashu'. However, there are certain verbs which we think of as 'essential' diminutives and which require the use of the diminutive suffix for all dialects (it is small, lightweight, short, ...)

The so-called pejorative has been found with inanimate common nouns, productively mainly  in the Lower north shore dialects and usually means 'old, worn out'. In can occur with or without the preform 'matshi-' 'poor'. 

It occurs productively on personal names , where it is translated as 'old'. Because referring to this usage as 'pejorative' would be, well, pejorative, we have dropped this terminology in favour of the French 'vieillitif', just 'old' in English so far.

There is a well-established system of personal names using the diminutive and old suffixes, described by José Mailhot in her book 'The People of Sheshashit':  Pien - Pierre; Pieniss - young Pierre; Pienish - old Pierre

In East Cree the 'pejorative' -shchiish seems to be restricted to inanimate common nouns, as in Naskapi: aashukanishchiish  'old bridge or dock'. The diminutive is productive on nouns and verbs as well. 

A difference seems to exist between East Cree and Innu for diminutive verbs. In East Cree the use of the diminutive on a VAI verb may indicate that the subject is small, and this is the case in Innu as well (nipashu 'the little one is sleeping'). In East Cree, there is an additional possibility of 's/he sleeps a small amount, takes a nap'.  In both languages the diminutive forms are also used to express endearment or pity.

Marguerite MacKenzie

-----Original Message-----
From: ALGONQUIANA [mailto:ALGONQUIANA at LISTSERV.LINGUISTLIST.ORG] On Behalf Of Arok Wolvengrey
Sent: May-08-13 11:50 PM
To: ALGONQUIANA at LISTSERV.LINGUISTLIST.ORG
Subject: Re: Pejorative vs. Diminutive

Waachiyaa, Bill.

The pejorative in Naskapi!  Would you happen to know if Innu has it as well?  

Peter Bakker has just drawn my attention to a mention of a pejorative in Woods Cree from Howse (1844), but unfortunately Howse does not give any specific examples, and the pejorative endings he does give could simply be forms of the diminutive which happened to take a more pejorative meaning in the examples he had in mind.  There's no distinct pejorative in Woods Cree where and as it is spoken today. 

The diminutive can indicate smallness, endearment, and the pejorative depending on context in Cree, and having all meanings marked with a single diminutive suffix is what I had expected from the whole Cree-Montagnais-Naskapi continuum.  Very interesting.

Cheers,
Arok


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