Compiled byConstantine H^melnitskiCurrent Lak‘ota spelling: Traditional. Switch to: | ||
| NetSiouan spelling | Basic spelling | Lakhota Project spelling |
Compiled byConstantine H^melnitskiFather! até, atéwaye kiß, my father, my father's brother (niyáte, your ~; atkúku kiß, his ~; atéyA, to have as father, atéwaye, he is my ~).
See also p‘apá, Lak‘ota parents
A child (mic‘íßca kiß, my ~; nic‘íßca kiß, your ~; ußkíc‘ißca kiß, our (mine and my spouse's) child(ren); c‘ißcáyA, to have for a child, adopt as a child, c‘ißcáwic‘awaye, they are my children).
See also wak‘áßheja
Son!, a son, a man's brother's son, a woman's sister's son (c‘ißkçí, mic‘íßkçi, my ~; nic‘íßkçi, your ~; c‘ißkçítku kiß, c‘ißhíßtku kiß (B&D), his/her son; c‘ißkçíyA, to have as son, c‘ißkçíwaye, he is my ~).
See also Lak‘ota sons & daughters
A man's elder brother, my elder brother; male cousin from the father's side older than oneself (c‘iyé, c‘iyéwaye kiß, my ~; nic‘íye, your ~; c‘iyéku kiß (Santee c‘íßcu), his ~; c‘iyéyA, to have for a ~, c‘iyéwaye, he is my ~).
See also Lak‘ota sisters & brothers
Daughter!; a daughter; a man's brother's daughter, a woman's sister's daughter (c‘ußkçí, mic‘úßkçi, my ~; nic‘úßkçi, your ~; c‘ußwíßtku kiß, his/her ~; c‘ußkçíyA, to have as daughter, c‘ußkçíwaye, she is my ~).
See also Lak‘ota sons & daughters
A woman's elder sister, female cousin from the mother's side older than oneself (c‘uwé, c‘uwéwaye kiß (Santee c‘ußwé, mic‘úß), my ~; nichúwe, your ~; c‘uwéku kiß (Santee c‘ußwéku, c‘úßku), her ~; c‘uwéyA, to have for a ~, c‘uwéyaye, she is your ~).
See also Lak‘ota sisters & brothers
"A man's/woman's elder/younger sister" (Buechel); "his sisters and female cross-cousins, her brothers and male cross-cousins" (Boas&Deloria) ( mahákata, my ~; nihákata, your ~; hakátaku kiß, his/her ~; hakátayA, to have for a sister, hakátawaye, she is my ~).
See also Lak‘ota sisters & brothers, thawinoötiß
Man's sister-in-law = 1) a sister of: wife / sibling's spouse / cousin's spouse; 2) a wife of: sibling / cousin; (haßkáß, haßká, haßkáßwaye kiß, my ~; niháßkaß, niháßka, your ~; haßkáku kiß, his ~; haßkáyA, to have for a ~, haßkáyaye, she is your ~).
See also Lak‘ota in-laws
A man's female cross-cousin -- blood aunt's/uncle's daughter; (haßkáßçi, haßkáßçiwaye kiß, my ~; niháßkaßçi, your ~; haßkáçitku kiß, his ~; haßkáçiyA, to have for a ~, haßkáçiyaye, she is your ~).
See also Lak‘ota uncles, aunts, etc
Husband (no address form except wic‘áöca!, old man!) (mihíßgna, my ~ (very formal, B&D) also wic‘áça mit‘áwa; mit‘áwic‘aça is used jokingly for "my fellow"); nihíßgna, your ~; hißgnáku kiß, her ~; hißgnáyAß, to have as husband, hißgnáwaye, he is my~; hißgnát‘uß, to have a husband, be married, hißgnáwat‘uß, I am married).
See also thawícu
An ancestor; hußkáke, an ancestor, an immediate relative (mihúßkake, my ~; hußkákeyA, to have for an ancestor, hußkákewaye, he is my ~); Hußkálowaßpi, a ceremony of Making of Relatives; hußkáyA, to consider & honor as a hunka, hußkáwaye, he is my hunka
Brother (mihúßkawaßji, my ~; hußkáwaßjitku, his ~; hußkáwaßjikic‘iyapi, brotherhood).
See also Lak‘ota sisters & brothers
His/her mother. See iná
Mother!, mother's sister (Also iná cik’ala little mother, iná iöa`haß make believe mother, terms for mother's sister.) (iná, ináwaye kiß, my ~; nihúß, your ~; húßku kiß, his/her ~; ináyAß, to call her "mother", have as mother, ináwaye, she is my ~).
See also mamá!
Granddad! See also t‘ußkáçila
Friend!, man's friend (mit‘ák‘ola, my ~; nit‘ák‘ola, your ~; t‘ak‘ólaku kiß, his ~; k‘oláyA, to have as ~, k‘oláwaye, he is my ~; k‘olákic‘iyapi, friendship, they are friends). Syn. kic‘úwa (out-fashioned). Woman's female friend is máçke, waçé.
The word k‘ola is included in the list because it has the form thak‘ólaku "his friend" with a kinship -ku suffix.
His/her mother-in-law. See ußcíçi.
Paternal grandmother (k‘ußçíwaye kiß, my ~; nik‘úßçi, your ~; k‘ußçítku, k‘úßçitku kiß, his/her ~; k‘ußçíyA, to have as ~, k‘ußçíwaye, she is my ~).
See also ußcí
Mother's brother -- blood uncle, my ~. One's father's brother is called ate (lekçí, lekçíwaye kiß, (Yankton, Santee. also midékçi B&D), my~; nilékçi, your ~; lekçítku kiß, his/her ~; lekçíyA, to have for an uncle, lekçíwaye, he is my ~).
See also Lak‘ota uncles, aunts, etc
Uncle by marriage -- mother's/father's sister's husband (R&T) (lekçílayA, to have as ~; lekçílawaye, he is my ~).
See also Lak‘ota uncles, aunts, etc
Male's brother-in-law. Designates particular companionship. ( maçéyA, to have as ~, maçéwaye, he is my ~).
See also t‘aßhaß, waçé, k‘olá
Female friend of a woman. ( mit‘ámaçke, maçkéwaye kiß, my ~; nit‘ámaçke, your ~; thamáçkeku kiß, her ~ (Buechel); maçkéyA, to have as ~, maçkéwaye, she is my ~).
See also waçé, maçé, k‘olá
Mom! See also iná
My little brother! See sußká
My relatives!. See takúyA
My wife. See thawícu
The two fathers of husband and wife call each other by this title; and the mothers as well. (omáwahit‘uß (mit‘áwa), my ~; nit‘ómawahit‘uß, omáwahit‘uß nit‘áwa, your ~; t‘ómawahit‘ußku kiß, his/her ~). This is a term of direct address, used regardless of sex between the parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents of a person, when speaking of/to his/her spouse's parents, uncles, aunts, and grandparents (omáwahit‘ußkic‘iyapi, they have each other for omáwahit‘uß: omáwahit‘uß’ußkic‘iyapi, we have..., omáwahit‘ußyec‘iyapi, you have...; omáwahit‘ußyAß, to have for ~, omáwahit‘ußwaye, he/she is my ~)
Dad! See also até
Stepmother. (çaßk‘éyA, to have as ~, çaßk‘éwaye, she is my ~).
See also thawágaß.
Woman's sister-in-law -- 1) a sister of: husband / sibling's spouse / cousin's spouse; 2) a wife of: sibling / cousin; (cép‘aß, scép‘aß, çcép‘aß, ýép‘aß (s)cép‘aßwaye kiß, my ~; nicép‘aß, niscép‘aß, niçcép‘aß, your ~; cép‘aßku / scép‘aßku / çcép‘aßku kiß, her ~; (s)cép‘aßyAß, ýép‘aßyAß, to have as ~, (s)cép‘aßwaye, she is my ~).
See also Lak‘ota in-laws
Woman's female cross-cousin -- blood aunt's/uncle's daughter ((s)cép‘aßçi, (s)cép‘aßçiwaye kiß, my ~; ni(s)cép‘aßçi, your ~; (s)cép‘aßçitku kiß, her ~; (s)cép‘aßçiyA, to have as ~, (s)cép‘aßçiwaye, she is my ~).
See also Lak‘ota uncles, aunts, etc
Woman's brother-in-law -- 1) a brother of: husband / sibling's spouse / cousin's spouse; 2) a husband of: sibling / cousin; (çic’é, çic’éwaye kiß, my ~; niçíc’e, your ~; çic’éku kiß, çic’écu kiß, her ~; çic’éyA, to have as ~, çic’éwaye, he is my~).
See also Lak‘ota in-laws
Woman's male cross-cousin -- blood aunt's/uncle's son (çic’éçi, çic’éçiwaye kiß, my ~; niçíc’eçi, your ~; çic’éçitku kiß, her ~; çic’éçiyA, to have as ~, çic’éçiwaye, he is my ~).
See also Lak‘ota uncles, aunts, etc
Misúß! my younger brother! (man/woman speaking), man's younger cousin from the father's side, woman's younger cousin from the mother's side ( misúß(kala), my ~; nisúßka(la), your ~; sußkáku kiß, his/her ~; sußkáyA, to have as ~, sußkáwaye, he is my ~).
See also Lak‘ota sisters & brothers
To have somebody for a relation, takúwaye, he/she is my relative; takúkic‘iyapi, they are relatives, takú’ußkic‘iyapi, I and you are relatives, takúyec‘iyapi, you are relatives; takúye, a relative, his relative (mitákuye, my ~, mitákuye oyás’iß, all are my relatives; nitákuye, your ~; ußkítakuyepi, our ~), otákuye, brotherhood, relations, kinship (otákuye t‘áwa, his consanguinal/affinal relatives (group term)); t‘ítakuye, the immediate relatives (mit‘ítakuye, my ~; nit‘ítakuye, your ~).
Son-/daughter-in-law (mit‘ákoç, my ~; nit‘ákoç(ku), your ~; t‘akóçku kiß, his/her ~; t‘akóçyA, to have as ~, t‘akóçwaye, he/she is my ~).
See also Lak‘ota in-laws
Grandchild (t‘akója, mit‘ákoja, grandchild!, my ~; nit‘ákoja, your ~; t‘akójakpaku kiß, his/her ~; t‘akójayA, to have as ~, t‘akójawaye, he/she is my ~)
Stepchild (t‘awágaßwaye kiß, my ~; nit‘áwagaßku, t‘awágaßyaye kiß, your ~; t‘awágaßku kiß, his/her ~; t‘awágaßyAß, to have for ~). (WEDD:) (Santee) atkúku / húßku / c‘ißhíßtku / c‘ißyéku / t‘áwinoötiß thawágaß kiß step- father / mother / son / brother / sister; t‘awágaßyaß c‘ißcá step-child.
See also çaßk‘é
His wife (mit‘áwiß, mit‘áwicu, my wife; nit‘áwiß, nit‘áwicu, your wife; t‘awícu kiß, his ~; t‘awícuyA, to have as ~, t‘awícuwaye, she is my ~).
See also hißgná, t‘éya
Sister. See also Lak‘ota sisters & brothers, hakáta
Man's brother-in-law -- 1) a brother of: wife / sibling's spouse / cousin's spouse; 2) a husband of: sibling / cousin; (t‘aßháß, t‘aßháßwaye kiß, my ~; nit‘áßhaß, your ~; t‘aßháßku kiß, his ~; t‘aßháßyAß, to have as ~, t‘aßháßwaye, he is my ~). The term maçé is used if bros-in-law are on very good terms.
See also Lak‘ota in-laws
Man's male cousin -- blood aunt's/uncle's son (t‘aßháßçi, t‘aßháßçiwaye kiß, my ~; nit‘áßhaßçi, your ~; t‘aßháßçitku kiß, his ~, t‘aßháßçiyA, to have as ~, t‘aßháßçiwaye, he is my ~).
See also Lak‘ota uncles, aunts, etc
Woman's younger sister (mit‘áß(kala), my ~; nit‘áßkala, your ~; t‘aßkáku kiß, Santee also t‘áßku, her ~; t‘áßkayA, to have as ~, t‘aßkáwaye, she is my ~).
See also Lak‘ota sisters & brothers
Man's older sister (t‘aßké, t‘aßkéwaye kiß, mit‘áßke, my ~; nit‘áßke, your ~; t‘aßkéku kiß (Santee t‘áßku), his ~; t‘aßkéyA, to have as ~, t‘aßkéwaye, she is my ~).
See also Lak‘ota sisters & brothers
Man's younger sister (t‘aßkçí, mit‘áßkçila, my ~; nit‘áßkçila, your ~; t‘aßkçítku kiß, his ~; t‘aßkçíyA, to have as ~, t‘aßkçíwaye, she is my ~).
See also Lak‘ota sisters & brothers
Cowife, another wife of her husband (t‘éyakic‘iyapi, they are both wives of one man, they are "teya"s to each other; t‘éyaku kiß, her teya; t‘éyayA, to have somebody for a teya, , she is my teya). Cowives call each other sister, cross-cousin, or mother of such and such a child.; t‘éyawaye kiß, t‘éyaku mayuk‘Aß, I have her as a cowife is also used.
Woman's elder brother, woman's cousin from the mother's side older than herself (t‘ibló, t‘iblówaye kiß, mit‘íblo, my ~; nit‘íblo, your ~; t‘iblóku kiß, her ~; t‘iblóyA, to have as ~, t‘iblówaye, he is my ~). See also Lak‘ota sisters & brothers
A band/clan of blood relatives. The oldest living ancestor is the head of the thiyoshpaye. His wife, his children, grandchildren etc. with their spouses are the rest members of the clan.
Woman's nep‘ew -- brother's son / husband's sibling's son (t‘oçká, t‘oçkáwaye kiß, mit‘óçka, my ~; nit‘óçka(la), your ~; t‘oçkáku kiß, his ~; t‘oçkáyA, to have as ~, t‘oçkáwaye, he is my ~). See also Lak‘ota uncles, aunts, etc
Woman's niece -- her brother's daughter / husband's sibling's daughter (t‘ojáß, t‘ojáßwaye kiß, mit‘ójaß, my ~; nit‘ójaß(la), your ~; t‘ojáßk‘u kiß, his ~; t‘ojáyA, t‘ojáßyAß, to have as ~, t‘ojáßwaye, she is my ~). See also Lak‘ota uncles, aunts, etc
Grandfather!, (mit‘úßkaçila, t‘ußkáçila kiß, my ~; nit‘úßkaçila, your ~; t‘ußkáçitku kiß, his/her ~; t‘ußkáçilayA, to have as ~, t‘ußkáçilawaye, he is my ~). See also kaká
Father-in-law and other men in his generation, who are relatives of the spouse; my ~ (mit‘úßkaß(çi), t‘ußkáßçi, t‘ußkáçi, my ~; nit‘úßkaß, nit‘úßka, your ~; t‘ußkáßku kiß, t‘ußkáku kiß, his/her ~; t‘ußkáßyAß, t‘ußkáßçiyA, to have as ~, t‘ußkáßwaye, t‘ußkáßçiwaye, he is my ~). See also Lak‘ota in-laws
Man's nep‘ew -- sister's son / wife's sibling's son (t‘ußçká, t‘ußçkáwaye kiß, (mit‘úßçka), my ~; nit‘úßçka(la), your ~; t‘ußçkáku kiß, his ~; t‘ußçkáyA, to have as ~, t‘ußçkáwaye, he is my ~). See also Lak‘ota uncles, aunts, etc
Father's sister -- blood aunt, my ~ (mit‘úßwiß, my ~; nit‘úßwiß, your ~; t‘ußwíßcu t‘ußwícu kiß, his/her ~; t‘ußwíßyAß, t‘ußwícuyA, to have as ~). See also Lak‘ota uncles, aunts, etc
Aunt by marriage -- father's/mother's brother's wife (t‘ußwíßlayA, to have as ~, t‘ußwißlawaye, she is my ~). See also Lak‘ota uncles, aunts, etc
Man's niece -- sister's daughter / wife's sibling's daughter (t‘ußjáß, t‘ußjáßwaye kiß, (mit‘úßjaß), my ~; nit‘úßjaß(la), your ~; t‘ußjáßk‘u kiß, his ~; t‘ußjáyA, t‘ußjáßyAß, to have as ~, t‘ußjaßwaye, she is my ~). See also Lak‘ota uncles, aunts, etc
Maternal grandmother (ußcíyA, to have as maternal grandmother, ußcíwaye, she is my ~). See also k‘ußçí
Mother-in-law and other women of her generation who are relatives of the spouse; my ~ (ußcíçi, ußcíçiwaye kiß, my ~; nik‘úßku, ußcíçi nit‘áwa, your ~; k‘úßku kiß, his/her ~; ußcíçiyA, to have as ~; ußcíçiwaye, she is my ~). See also Lak‘ota in-laws
Child, children. See also c‘ißcá
Female friend of a woman; used only for t‘ose who are very intimate; often used by cross-cousins (mit‘áwaçe, my ~; nit‘áwaçe, your ~; thawáçetku, her ~; waçéyA, to have for a friend; waçékic‘iyA, to have each other for special friends). Cf. maçé.
Old man!, sometimes wives address so their husbands; wic‘áöcala mit‘áwa kiß, my old man. See also winúöca
My husband; my lover. Mit‘áwic‘aça is used jokingly for "my fellow". See also wíßyaß mit‘áwa
A son-in-law, my son-in-law (lit."the man who is staying owing to attraction") (wic‘áwoöa nit‘áwa kiß, your ~; wic‘áwoöayA, to have for ~, wic‘áwoöawaye, I have him for ~).
See also wiwóöa kiß, mithakoç
Old woman!, sometimes husbands address so their wives; winúöcala mit‘áwa kiß, my old lady. See also wic‘áöca
Our daughter-in-law (lit."the woman who is staying owing to attraction"). A woman who lives with her husband's relatives.
See also wic‘áwoöa kiß, mithakoç
("very formal", B&D) My wife; my lover. "It is customary to say wíßyaß mit‘áwa my wife, not mit‘áwiß because the latter points to sexual relations" (B&D). See also wic‘áça mit‘áwa
Terms of relationship take the possessive pronouns expressing inseparable possession, mi-,ni-, ußki-. In addition take the suffix -ku; after terminal i,and iß, -tku or -cu for the third person. The first personpossessive is omitted in many terms. On account of the numerous irregularities we give thelist of terms according to their forms.
| Address | 1st person possessive | 2d person possessive | 3d person possessive | |
| (his) elder brother | c‘iyé | nic‘íye | c‘iyéku (1) | |
| (his) elder sister | t‘aßké | nit‘áßke | t‘aßkéku | |
| (her) elder sister | c‘uwé | nichúwe | c‘uwéku | |
| (her) brother's son | t‘oçká | t‘oçká, mit‘óçka | nit‘óçka(la) | t‘oçkáku |
| (his) sister's son | t‘ußçká | t‘ußçká, (mit‘úßçka) | nit‘úßçka(la) | t‘ußçkáku |
| (his) sister-in-law | haßká | niháßka | haßkáku | |
| (her) husband | (wic‘áöca) | mihíßgna(2) | nihíßgna | hißgnáku |
| (his) brother-in-law | t‘aßháß, maçé (3) | t‘aßháß | nit‘áßhaß | t‘aßháßku |
| (her) sister-in-law | çcep‘áß | çcép‘aß | niçcép‘aß | çcep‘áßku |
| (her) elder brother | t‘ibló | nit‘íblo | t‘iblóku | |
| child-in-law | t‘akóç | mit‘ákoç | mit‘ákoçku (kiß) | t‘akóçku |
| his sisters & female cross-cousins her brothers & male cross-cousins |
| mihákata | mihákata | hakátaku(4) |
(1) Santee c‘íßcuß.
(2) mihíßgna is very formal. It is customary to say wíßyaß mit‘áwa, mywife, not mit‘áwiß because the latter points to sexual relations; also wic‘áçamit‘áwa my husband. Mit‘áwic‘aça is used jokingly for "myfellow".
(3) maçé designates particular companionship. Compare waçéfemale friend of a woman.
(4) hakátaya he (she) has for his (her) sister (brother) or female (male)cross-cousin.
| Address | 1st person possessive | 2d person possessive | 3d person possessive | |
| Ending -tku | ||||
| grandfather | t‘ußkaçilá(4a) | t‘ußkáçila | nit‘úßkaçila(4b) | t‘ußkáçitku |
| (his) young sister | t‘aßkçí | t‘aßkçí (mit‘áßkçila) | nit‘áßkçila | t‘aßkçítku |
| (her) female cross-cousin | cep‘aßçí | cép‘aßçi | nicép‘aßçi | cép‘aßçitku |
| (his) male cross-cousin | t‘aßhaßçí | t‘aßháßçi | nit‘áßhaßçi | t‘aßháßçitku |
| (his) female cross-cousin | haßkaçí | haßkáçi | niháßkaçi | haßkáçitku |
| (her) male cross-cousin | çic’eçí | çic’éçi | niçíc’eçi | çic’éçitku |
| mother's brother | lekçí | lekçí (5) | nilékçi | lekçítku |
| Ending -cu | ||||
| father's sister | t‘ußwíß | nit‘úßwiß | t‘ußwíßcu | |
| wife | (wißnúöca) | (mit‘áwiß) (5a) | nit‘áwiß | thawícu |
| (his) elder brother | c‘iyé | c‘íßcu (6) | ||
| (his) brother-in-law | çic’é | niçíc’e | çic’écu | |
(4a) Western Oglala children t‘ußkála.
(4b) rarely a nasalized.
(5) Yankton and Santee use both dekçí and midékçi.
(5a) wíßyaß mit‘áwa kiß very formal,
(6) (Santee). Teton c‘iyéku.
| Address | 1st person possessive | 2d person possessive | 3d person possessive | |
| father | ’até | niyáte | atkúku | |
| (his/her) younger brother | misúß | misúß(kala) | nisúßkala | sußkáku |
| father-in-law | t‘ußkaßçí(7) | t‘ußkáßçi | nit‘úßkaß | t‘ußkáßku |
| son | c‘ißkç (8) | mic‘íßkçi | nic‘íßkçi | c‘ißhíßtku |
| daughter | c‘ußkç (8) | mic‘úßkçi | nic‘úßkçi | c‘ußwíßtku |
| mother | ’iná (9) | nihúß | húßku | |
| grandmother | ’ußcí, k‘úßçi | nik‘úßçi | k‘úßçitku | |
| mother-in-law | ’ußciçí | ’ußcíçi | nik‘úß | k‘úßku |
| her younger sister | mit‘áß | mit‘áß(kala) | nit‘áßkala | t‘aßkáku |
| grandchild | t‘akojá | t‘akója | nit‘ákoja | t‘akójakpaku |
| (his) sister's daughter | t‘ußjáß | t‘ußjáß, (mit‘úßjaß) | nit‘úßjaß(la) | t‘ußjáßk‘u |
| her brother's daughter | t‘ojáß | t‘ojáß, mit‘ójaß | nit‘ójaß(la) | t‘ojáßk‘u |
(7) Also t‘ußkáçi, nit‘úßka, t‘ußkáku.
(8) Western Oglala c‘ißkçí and c‘ußkçí.
(9) Also iná cik’ala little mother, iná iöa`haß make believemother, terms for mother's sister.
When the form in address occurs in course of conversation the terms are wit‘outaccent; when the address is used as a call, the last syllable bears astrong accent.
For the use of the article with terms of relationship, see page 134.
The first person dual and plural is not expressed by means of thepossessive pronoun, but by the verbal expression ’ußyaß` pi kiß the one we havefor:
c‘iyé’ußyaß` pi kiß our (plural) elder brother.
For the first person dual of mit‘ákoç my child-in-law, the p‘rase
Plurals formed with pi express the plural as related to several individuals.
t‘ojáßk‘upi kiß the daughter of the brother of several women
t‘ußkáçitkupi kiß their (of a group of brothers, cousins) grandfather.
When the relatives (here brothers, grandfathers) are also plural an adjective like"all, many, several" must be added. If the possessor is singular the forms with -yato have, are used:
t‘ojáß-wic‘a`waye ciß t‘ose I have for nieces (woman speking)
The same may also be expressed by the possessive form, if a definite or indefinitenumeral is added:
mit‘ójaß ’iyúha all my nieces (woman speaking)
or by adding pi to the verb:
mit‘ójaß kiß glípi’ my nieces have come back; when known to the personaddressed kiß is omitted.
The third person plural possessive:
t‘ak‘ólakupi kiß háßske’ their friend is tall
t‘ak‘ólakupi kiß háßskaskapi’ their friends are tall.
The terms with wic‘a (given by Riggs, p.16) are not possessive but refer tothe terms as belonging to human beings: wic‘ácißca children of man (not ofanimals), wic‘áatkuku (not wic‘íatkuku, Riggs) father of humans, wic‘áhußkumother of humans.
Here belong also wic‘ówe children of one family, wic‘óic‘agegeneration.
More distant affinal relationship terms, and a few others expressing a close relationbased neither on consanguinity nor affinity take the ending ku and also theprefix tha expressing separable possession.
| Address | 1st person possessive | 2d person possessive | 3d person possessive | |
| parent of my child's spouse | omáwahit‘uß | nit‘ómawahit‘uß | t‘ómawahit‘ußku | |
| stepchild | --- | t‘awágaßwaye ciß | nit‘áwagaßku, t‘awágaßwaye ciß | t‘awágaßku (1) |
| her cowife | (2) | t‘éyaku | ||
| consanguinal relative | --- | mit‘ítakuye | nit‘ítakuye | t‘ítakuye |
| consanguinal/affinal relative | mitákuyepi (4) | mitákuye | nitákuye | otákuye-t‘awa (group term) |
| male friend of a man | k‘olá | mit‘ák‘ola | nit‘ák‘ola | t‘ak‘ókaku |
| female friend of a woman | waçé (5) | mit‘áwaçe | nit‘áwaçe | t‘awáçetku |
| master (of a pet animal or guardian spirit) | --- | t‘íöißyetku (5) | ||
(1) Santee nußkás, nußkásku, obsolete in Riggs' time. t‘awágaß-wayeciß, the one whom I have as a stepchild.
(2) Cowives call each other sister, cross-cousin, or mother of such and such a child; t‘éyawayeciß the one whom I have as a cowife; t‘éyaku mayúk‘aß (her) cowifeexists for me, i.e., I have her as a cowife is also used.
(3) from t‘í household and takúye, relative.
(4) This term is included here alt‘ough it lack the prefux t‘a because thetheme is identical with the preceeding. The address is always plural.
(5) Used only for t‘ose who are very intimate; often used by cross-cousins. Compare
The term kic‘úwa, comrade, from k‘uwá, to pursue, s going out ofuse. Riggs (p.15) gives the possessive form thakíc‘uwa.
...Terms of relationship in first and second person possessive have generally noarticle.
All the Dakota terms embrace more than one individual. Those distantly related,particularly when personally unknown, are given the article in the first personpossessive.
’até glí my father came home
’até kiß glí one whom I call father because he married one whom I callmother (except my own father) came home
For consanguineal relative the article is not used. Therefore the last example couldnot be used for father's brothers. When my father is not known to the persons addressed Imight say wic‘áça waß ’atéwaye ciß a certain man the one whom I have formy father.
The only exception is mic‘íßca kiß my children.
For affinal relatives the article is used particularly when they are not known ornot well known to the persons addressed. For mihíßgna and mit‘áwicu myhusband, my wife, both forms are used
nit‘áwicu kic‘í ’ú or nit‘áwicu kiß kic‘í ’ú comewith your wife!
The expression niçcép‘aß kic‘í ’ú come with your sister-in-law, wouldmean that the sister-in-law is a well-known, long-established member of the family; niçcép‘aßkiß kic‘í ’ú would mean that she is the youngest sister-in-law, or quiterecently married and not yet well known.
The example mihíßgna kiß léc‘iya mni-’áglagla yaßkáhe’ my husband issitting there by the water implies that the people addressed have never seen him.
In the third person possessive the article is generally used:
’atkúku kiß heyá his father said
t‘ítakuye naß hußkáke kiß ’épi her near relatives and her parents theywere
When the third person possessive is not followed by an article it is to be conceived asa verbal expression.
húßku hípi it is a parents-coming
’atkúku glí-ußspe`çni he does not know (how to act on) father-returning
c‘iyéku glípi tk‘áç wáßcak ’owíc‘akiyake’ but on his brother'sreturn at once he told them.
For this reason the article is often omitted when the term of relationship is object ofan active verb.
húßku ’okíle or contracted hußk-’ókile he looks for hismother
húßku kiß okíle his mother looks for him, or: he looks for his mother and notfor anybody else
c‘uwéku ’úßçikila she loves her elder sister
However we find also:
c‘iyéku kiß ’él ’ét‘owic‘akçu’ his brothers he piled up ther
lekçítku kiß thiwókçaß wic‘áußpa he had laid his uncled around in thetipi
t‘ußkáçitkula kiß mat‘ó t‘awícu kiß ’ektá yeçí he ordered hisgrandfather to go to the bear's wife.
The use of the indefinite specific article waß 'a (certain)' with possessedkin terms versus a Stripped Noun [noun wit‘out any article, C.H^.] allows for animportant semantic contrast. In (127a), the implication is that he killed one of hiswives; this is to be compared to (127b), in which there is no such implication. Likewise,(128), with waß, implies that the speaker had other wifes.
(127a) t‘awícu waß kikté he killed [one of ] his wife
(127b) t‘awícu kikté he killed his wife
(128) wíßyaß waß makít’e a woman of mine died.
The word wit‘out prefix/suffix usu. means "my": até kiß (my father). The whole construction may usually consist of the following elements (note that in brackets are optional elements):
| [Whose?] | Who? | [his/her] | [of many] | [Article] | [Demonstrative] |
| Mary mi- "my" ni- "your" | t‘ibló "younger sis" | -ku | pi | kiß "the" waß "a, some" waßjí "a, any" (k’)eyá "several" etáß "any" | lé "this" lená "these" hé "that" hená "t‘ose" |
Note that the word pi (called "plural enclitic") in e.g atkúkupi kiß "their father" is used to denote the one father of manypeople, not fathers of one man. The plurality of fathers is shownusually on the verb: Niyáte the-ní-öila pi. "Your fathers love you(your-father love-you plur.)". You can also use the forms of -yA verbs, seethe full set of terms using either possessive affixes or -yA verbs (iyúhameans 'all'):
These are formed by the addition of the suffix -yA to the kinship term: ate+ yA = ateyA, etc. The meaning of these verbs is: "to have somebodyas one's relative", "to have one for...", for example atéwaye = ate+wa+ye= "father-I him-have.for", "he is my father". Followed with an article(kiß, waß, waßjí) the whole construction is regarded a noun: atéwayekiß "my father"; atéwaya waß "one of my fathers"; (youremember that Lak‘otas may have numerous fathers and mothers?!).
Note 1. -ya changes to -yaß after nasal vowels /aß/, /iß/,/uß/, and after pronominal affixes -ma- "me", -ni-"you", and -uß- (we/us). E.g. Ináyaß pi. She is theirmother. Ináyaya pi. She is your(pl.) mother. Inámayaß pi. I amtheir mother / They have me for a mother.
Note 2. Uppercase A in -yA, -yAß means that the sound /a/or /aß/ changes to:
1. /iß/ before ktA, na, and na’ißç: Hißgnáwayißkte. "He will be my husband.";
2. /e/ in many positions, the most important of them are: before kißarticle (ináwaye kiß "my mother"), at the end of a sentence (c‘ißkçíc‘iye."You're my son."), and before 'yelo': Atéyaye yelo."He's your father (man speaking)."
Note 3. In informal style of speech (ikcéya wóglakapi), some /w/,/y/, /’/, and /h/ are dropped. So Ináyaye yeló(She's your mother.) would turn into ináaeeló.
Just for case, I've put below the full paradigm of the verbs -yA (to havesomebody as (one's father, for example)):
| \ | MY | OUR | YOUR | YOUR(pl.) | HIS/HER | THEIR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I AM | --- | -c‘iyA | -c‘iyapi | -wayA | -wic‘awayA | |
| I&YOU ARE | --- | -ußyAß | -wic‘ußyAß | |||
| WE ARE | -ußniyAß | -ußniyaßpi | -ußyaßpi | -wic‘ußyaßpi | ||
| YOU ARE | -mayayA | -ußyayapi | --- | -yayA | -wic‘ayayA | |
| YOU(pl.)ARE | -mayayapi | -yayapi | -wic‘ayayapi | |||
| HE/SHE IS | -mayAß | -ußyaßpi | -niyaß | -niyaßpi | -yA | -wic‘ayA |
| THEY ARE | -mayaßpi | -niyaßpi | -yapi | -wic‘ayapi | ||
In Lak‘ota society more people than in English one call each other "brother", "sister", "father", "mother", "son", and "daughter". This results from the fact that the brothers call each other's children sons and daughters, and the sisters also share their kids.
Let's fancy...Ten brothers love ten sisters from another clan. They get married and form ten families. Eventually each pair have got five sons and five daughters, giving 5x10=50 boys and 50 girls in total. Now look: Each man of the 10 brothers has 50 sons and 50 daughters. Each woman of the 10 sisters also has 100 kids in all. Each boy has 49 brothers, 50 sisters, 10 fathers, and 10 mothers. Each girl likewise has 50 brothers, 49 sisters, and 20 parents. This is Lak‘ota extended family!
Another example. My mother has a sister and a brother. My father also has one sister and one brother. How should I call mom's/pop's sisters, brothers with their spouses and children? How do my relatives and my spouse address each other? Let's look at the table.
I. How do I call my parents, uncles and aunts? | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mother's brother's wife | Mother's brother | Mother's sister's husband | Mother's sister | Mom | Dad | Father's brother | Father's brother's wife | Father's sister | Father's sister's husband |
| t‘ußwíßla | lekçí | lekçíla | iná | até | t‘ußwíla | t‘ußwíß | lekçíla | ||
II. How do I call my brothers, sisters, and cousins? (1. I'm a man; 2. I'm a woman) | |||||||||
| Mother's brother's | Mother's sister's | Mom+Dad's | Father's brother's | Father's sister's | |||||
| son | daughter | sons & daughters | son | daughter | |||||
| 1.t‘aßháßçi 2.çic’éçi | 1.haßkáßçi 2.scép‘aßçi | These are my sisters and brothers | 1.t‘aßháßçi 2.çic’éçi | 1.haßkáßçi 2.scép‘aßçi | |||||
III. How do my parents, uncles, and aunts call me? (1. I'm a man; 2. I'm a woman) | |||||||||
| Mother's brother's wife | Mother's brother | Mother's sister's husband | Mother's sister | Mom | Dad | Father's brother | Father's brother's wife | Father's sister | Father's sister's husband |
| 1.t‘oçká 2.t‘ojáß | 1. t‘ußçká 2. t‘ußjáß | 1. c‘ißkçí, "son" 2. c‘ußkçí, "daughter" | 1. t‘oçká 2. t‘ojáß | 1.t‘ußçká 2.t‘ußjáß | |||||
In Lak‘ota extended family you may have more than one father (até) and more than one mother (iná). My father is not only my biological father, but also all his "brothers"). Likewise, my mother is my biological mom plus any of her "Lak‘ota sisters").
In Lak‘ota extended family not only all the sons of my father are my brothers, but also the sons of persons whom my father calls "brother" and which are my "fathers"). Therefore many English-style cousins become my brothers in Lak‘ota extended family. Likewise, my sisters are t‘ose who are daughters of my mothers and also the daughters of all her "sisters" which are my "mothers". As a result, it's very hard to become an orp‘an among Lak‘otas, as everybody typically has more than one father and more than one mother.
Other peculiarities: special terms for older and younger sister/brother, and different terms used by men and women. See the table below:
| / | Male's | Female's |
|---|---|---|
| Older brother | c‘iyé | t‘ibló |
| Younger brother | misúß | |
| Older sister | t‘aßké | c‘uwé |
| Younger sister | t‘aßkçí | t‘aßká |
In Lak‘ota extended family a man calls c‘ißkçí, "son" not only hia biological sons but all the sons of his"brothers", and for a woman any daughter of her "sisters" is also regarded as her c‘ußkçí, "daughter".
In Lak‘ota extended family terms t‘ußwíß "aunt", lekçí "uncle", and t‘aßháßçi / çic’éçi / haßkáßçi / scép‘aßçi "cousin" have narrower meaning as some English-style aunts and uncles are labeled mothers & fathers, and some English-style cousins are called sisters & brothers. Uncles and aunts by marriage are regarded as more distant relatives and possess a diminutive suffix -la (See Table of parents, uncles, and aunts).
The 4 terms of address for cousins are determined by the sex of a cousin and a sex of a person calling him/her:
| / | Male's | Female's |
|---|---|---|
| Son of a mother's brother / father's sister | t‘aßháßçi | çic’éçi |
| Daughter of a mother's brother / father's sister | haßkáßçi | scép‘aßçi |
Analogously there are 4 terms of address for nep‘ews and nieces. See also
Traditionally, communication between parents-in-law and childrens-in-law is restricted. Rather, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law are expected to maintain a light-hearted, "joking" relationship (D.Rood & A.Taylor, 16:23).
| / | Husband's | Wife's |
|---|---|---|
| Father-in-law | t‘ußkáß(çi) | |
| Mother-in-law | ußcíçi | |
| Son-/daughter-in-law | t‘akóç | |
| Brother-in-law | t‘aßháß | çic’é |
| Sister-in-law | haßkáß | scép‘aß |
Memorizing the kinship terms may help the rule that
bro/sis-in-law + -çi = cousin, and
parent-in-law = grandparent (+ -çi).
The similarity of some Lak‘ota terms In-law In-law Lak‘ota term Similar Lak‘ota term Father-in-law t‘ußkáß(çi) t‘ußkáçila, grandfather Mother-in-law ußcíçi ußcí, granmother Son-/daughter-in-law t‘akóç t‘akója, grandchild Husband's bro-in-law t‘aßháß t‘aßháßçi, male's male cousin Wife's bro-in-law çic’é çic’éçi, female's male cousin Husband's sis-in-law haßkáß haßkáßçi, male's female cousin Wife's sis-in-law scép‘aß scép‘aßçi, female's female cousin
1. Franz Boas, Ella Deloria (1941). "Grammar of Dakota".
2. Rev. Eugene Buechel (1939). "Grammar of Lakota"
3."A Dictionary - Oie Wowapi Wan of Teton Sioux. Lakota-English : English-Lakota.Lakota-Ieska : Ieska-Lakota. (With Consideration given to Yankton and SanteeDialects)". (1970, 1983). Compiled by Rev. Eugene Buechel, S.J. Edited by Rev.Paul Manhart, S.J.
4. John Poage Williamson (1902). "An English-DakotaDictionary".