PREFIX "WA-" CONJUGATIONS

[Jimm GoodTracks]

A question comes from the Otoe-Missouria Language Dept. in regard to the unique conjugation of "w-" prefixed verbs, such as, "wachí" (dance)[L/Dak], wawáchi, I dance/ wayáchi, you dance; "wasí" (IOM).  Also noted in (L/D) "maní" (walk), mayáni, you walk.  We are all aware of this phenomenon in Siouan Languages, but I do not recall anyone discussing it.

In the New Lakhota Dictionary:
"wa-"  1. indefinite object marker.  Usage: can be translated with 'people, things' and often gives the verb a more general or abstract meaning"  p.541
NLD also speaks to a "large group of Lakota verbs isactive verbs.  They describe actions, espcially those governed or controlled by the actor.  They are the opposite of stative verbs....  that one has no controll over them.  ...  Active verbs are thus all  those verbs that do not take the affixes ma- and ni- for I and you respectively." p.709

Can we have some explaination in easily understandable English that I may share with the local language communities??   jimm
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Campbell, Sky 
  To: Jimm G. GoodTracks 
  Sent: Monday, July 02, 2012 9:24 AM
  Subject: RE: Aho!


  Ah, so perhaps it is the difference between the wa- being instrumental and the wa- being a part of the actual verb stem/root?  Or is the "wa-" in "wasi" some other kind of prefix that I'm unaware of?  I've noticed that wa- wears a LOT of hats in Otoe-Missouria LOL.

   

  How was your weekend?  Got plans for the 4th?

   

  Sky Campbell, B. A.

  Curriculum Materials Developer

  Language Department

  Otoe-Missouria Tribe

  580-723-4466 ext. 111

  sky at omtribe.org

   

  From: Jimm G. GoodTracks [mailto:jgoodtracks at gmail.com] 
  Sent: Sunday, July 01, 2012 4:48 PM
  To: Campbell, Sky
  Subject: Re: Aho!

   

  Ho Hintado......   will be fine.  Yes, you have the conjugations correct for both "dance" & "write."  Yes, there is a difference  in the kind of "wa-" prefix.  For "write" the wa- is an instrumental.  For dance, it is a totally different phenomenon that occurs across Siouan languages.  I will try to research it, and see if I can bring you an explanation.  Meanwhile, It is not the only instance where it ocurrs.   

   

  From: Campbell, Sky 

  Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2012 11:50 AM

  To: Jimm G. GoodTracks 

  Subject: RE: Aho!

   

  Thanks for the reply!  I'll go over this a few times to let it sink in.  If there needs to be some sort of kinship term, would hintaro work since I'm not an Otoe relation (although following the thought of "we are all related" may apply here but that might be a conversation for another time J )?  Ho hintaro! or that sort of thing?

   

  I have a question about conjugating verbs that start with a "w".  I've noticed that sometimes they conjugate differently and I was hoping you'd be able to tell me why.  Something tells me I may have asked you this before but I can't be sure LOL.  For example:

   

  wasi - he/she dances

  waasi - I dance

  warasi - you dance

   

  wagaxe - he/she writes

  hapagaxe - I write

  swagaxe - you write

   

  Is there a reason they are done differently?

   

  Sky Campbell, B. A.

  Curriculum Materials Developer

  Language Department

  Otoe-Missouria Tribe

  580-723-4466 ext. 111

  sky at omtribe.org

   

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