BEZHIG

 

Sentence making can be difficult at times, in some languages word order is very important, this is not true, to some degree, in Ojibwe.  Example, Jason nindizhinikaaz and nindizhinikaaz Jason, are both correct.  It is important that you use the correct prefixes and suffix to show who is doing the action.  There are 7 people that we will be talking about,

1^st person- me,I. 

2^nd person- you

3^rd- s/he,him,her. 

4^th we (inclusive, meaning it includes the person that you are talking to)

5^th we (exclusive, meaning it excludes the person you are talking to)

6^th you all. 

7^th they/them.

 

Ojibwe language consists of 80% verbs, where as English language consists of 80% nouns, this makes it difficult for translations to occur.  There are 4 types of verbs in the language, VAI, VII, VTA and VTI.  In this first section, we will only deal with VAI verbs.  VAI-Verb-action word, action is happening. Animate- the object doing the action, is alive, example people, animals are alive. Intransitive-the action is not happening to an object.  example running, the word is not running on something or someone, it is simple running.  Since 1^st person is the most difficult, try making these sentence, make sure to use the rules that are provided.  Keep in mind that according to the Guinness Book of World Records, Ojibwe language is the most complex language in the world.  Some of these concepts may be difficult to understand, but if you memorize the rules, you should be fine.

 

1^st person rules

If the verb starts with the letter “B” put NIM before the word as your prefix

If the verb starts with the letter “D,G,J,Z” put NIN before the word

If the verb starts with the letter “Vowels A,E or I” put NIND before the word

If the verb starts with the letter “O” put NINDO before the word

If the verb starts with the letter “M,N,W” put NI before the word

NOTE, IF THE WORD ENDS IN A SHORT “I” OR “O” DROP THE VOWEL, DO THIS ONLY ON 1^ST AND 2^ND PERSON.

 

PUT THE FOLLOWING VAI’S INTO FIRST PERSON FORM, PAGE DOWN TO SEE THE CORRECT ANSWERS.

 

Bagizo- s/he is swimming, Dewizi-s/he is aching, Giigido-s/he is speaking

Jiibaakwe-s/he is cooking, Zagaswaa-s/he is smoking, Anokii-s/he is working  Ezhishin-s/he leaves a mark, Inaabi-peeking/looking, Odamino-s/he is playing,

Manise- s/he is getting firewood, Naadasabii-s/he is checking a net, Wiisini- s/he is eating. 

 

 

I am swimming-NIMbagiz

I am aching- NINdewiz

I am speaking- NINgiigid

I am cooking- NINjiibaakwe

I am short - NINdakoz

I am working- NINDanokii

I am leaving a mark- NINDezhishin

I am peeking/looking- NINDinaab

I am playing- NINDOodamin

I am getting firewood- NImanise

I am checking the net- NInaadasabii

I am eating- NIwiisin

http://ikidowinan.com/doc/Lesson1.wav

   

Try making your own first person sentences, using VAI’s.  Remember, Ojibwe has over 6,000 verbs, so there is a few to choose from.