'Wagon' (Re: local reactions to language family terms)

[Koontz John E]

On Tue, 12 Jun 2007, Tom Leonard wrote:

> ... one of my Ponca relatives points out that the Ponca term for a wagon 
> translates as "running wood", whereas the Omaha term, I believe, translates 
> as "walking wood". Ponca speakers understand "zhaN maNthiN" to be a wagon, 
> but most would never think to say it that way. I've heard fluent Omaha 
> speakers say the inverse was true, as well. They recognize "zhaN naN'ge" as 
> meaning "wagon", but as a Ponca speaker would say it.

I've seen naNge characterized as 'going on four legs' as opposed to 'going 
on two legs'.  I think in this context maNdhiN is essentially just 'to 
move, to proceed', but it is the conventional rendering of 'walk', too.

This is an interesting neologism, in that the 'walking wood' form is 
pretty widespread in Mississippi Valley Siouan.  I think it's the form in 
Ioway-Otoe, for example.  \

I don't recall a term, off hand, for 'travois'.  I was wondering about 
four vs. two legs!