The American Indians: Their History, Condition and Prospects, from Original Notes and ManuscriptsSchoolcraft, Henry Rowe
History
The American Indians: Their History, Condition and Prospects, from Original Notes and Manuscripts
Schoolcraft, Henry Rowe
Indians of North America
Baimwa is sound. Baimwaewa, the passing sound. Minwaewa, a pleasant sound.
Maunwawa, a disagreeable sound. Mudwayaushkau, the sound of waves
dashing on the shore. Mudwayaunnemud, the sound of winds. Mudway au
kooskau, the sound of falling trees. Mudwaekumigishin, the sound of a
person falling upon the earth. Mudwaysin, the sound of any inanimate
mass falling on the earth. These examples might be continued ad
infinitum. Every modification of circumstances--almost every peculiarity
of thought is expressed by some modification of the orthography. Enough
has been given to prove that the adjective combines itself with the
substantive, the verb and the pronoun--that the combinations thus
produced are numerous, afford concentrated modes of conveying ideas, and
oftentimes happy terms of expression. Numerous and prevalent as these
forms are, they do not, however, preclude the use of adjectives in their
simple forms. The use of the one, or of the other appears to be
generally at the option of the speaker. In most cases brevity or euphony
dictates the choice. Usage results from the application of these
principles. There may be rules resting upon a broader basis, but if so,
they do not appear to be very obvious. Perhaps the simple adjectives are
oftenest employed before verbs and nouns, in the first and second
persons singular.
Ningee minno neebau-nabun, I have slept well.
Ningee minno weesin, I have eaten a good meal.
Ningee minno pimmoossay, I have walked well,
or a good distance.
Kaegaet minno geeghigud, It (is) a very pleasant day.
Kwunaudj ningoedahs, I have a handsome garment.
Ke minno iau nuh? Are you well?
Auncende ain deyun? What ails you?
Keezhamonedo aupaedushshaewainenik, God prosper you.
Aupaedush Shaewaindaugoozzeyun, Good luck attend you.
Aupaedush nau kinwainzh pimmaudizziyun, May you live long.
Onauneegoozzin, Be (thou) cheerful.
Ne miuwaindum waubumaun, I (am) glad to see you.
Kwanaudj Kweeweezains, A pretty boy.
Kaegaet Soengeedaeae, He (is) a brave man.
Kaegaet onishishsha, She (is) handsome.
Gitshee kinoezee, He (is) very tall.
Uggausau baewizzi, She (is) slender.
Gitshee sussaigau, He (is) fine dressed.
Bishegaindaugooziwug meegwunug, They (are) beautiful feathers.
Ke daukoozzinuh? Are you sick?
Monaudud maundun muskeekee, This (is) bad medicine.
Monaudud aindauyun, My place of dwelling (is) bad.
Aindauyaun mitshau, My place of dwelling is large.
Ne mittigwaub onishishsha, My bow (is) good.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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