Cree Demonstrative Pronouns by Andrea Custer (y-dialect)

Sometimes Cree language complexity makes English look impoverished. Take this lesson on demonstrative pronouns, for example, that English tries to cover with merely “this/these” and “that/those.” Thanks to Andrea Custer for permission to share this really carefully crafted lesson that shows us how much information Cree can pack into these little word forms. 

[Andrea is currently teaching and studying at First Nations University. Find more of her lessons online at https://www.learncreewithandrea.com/]

  Animate   Inanimate  
Distance
from Speaker
singular plural singular plural
Near awa ôki ôma ôhi
Medial ana aniki anima anihi
Far nâha nêki nêma nêhi

Summary of Cree Demonstrative Pronouns

Solomon Ratt provides the following adjustments (for th-dialect): 
ôki > ôko
ôhi > ôho
ê > î (nîki, nîma, nîhi) 

 

One Response

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Contact Us:

    Subscribe: