January 2014
The Basics
In our first week back from Winter vacation we focused on reviewing the basics as well as "post-positions". This provides us with a great opportunity to review the basics but also to learn a new part of the Lakota grammar!
In our first week back from Winter vacation we focused on reviewing the basics as well as "post-positions". This provides us with a great opportunity to review the basics but also to learn a new part of the Lakota grammar!
Download and print the files that contain basic vocabulary terms to review.
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Basic Flashcards with Pictures
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English Prepositions vs Lakota Postpositions
English Prepositions
Prepositions links words together within sentences and usually indicate the temporal or spatial relationship of its object to the rest of the sentence. The object is the word/phrase that the preposition introduces. Look at the follow examples of prepositions that locate the object (the book) in time and space:
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Lakota Word Order Review
As we know, Lakota word order is different from English so we can expect Lakota sentences to differ from the English ones above.. Look at the excerpt from a past handout which quickly recaps Lakota word order: Lakota word order is different from English. Lakota word order is SOV (Subject Object Verb) while English is SVO (Subject Verb Object). This is the fancy way of say that Lakota's verb goes at the end of the sentence. Compare the following sentences: |
Lakota Postpositions
As you may expect, Lakota does not have prepositions but POSTpositions, meaning that the word comes after the noun.
Look at the following comparison:
As you may expect, Lakota does not have prepositions but POSTpositions, meaning that the word comes after the noun.
Look at the following comparison:
- Wówapi kiŋ wáglutapi kiŋ akáŋl yaŋké. - The book is sitting on the table.
Practice at Home
Try making simple sentences about the objects that are around you!
Also, check out the LakotaDictionary.org section devoted to the use of Lakota Post-Positions. View the page to see many more examples of Lakota Post-Positions as you can even post your own sentences there.
Try making simple sentences about the objects that are around you!
Also, check out the LakotaDictionary.org section devoted to the use of Lakota Post-Positions. View the page to see many more examples of Lakota Post-Positions as you can even post your own sentences there.
Examples/Patterns
Make your own sentences using the verb yaŋkÁ (to sit), the five simple postpositions below (there are many more!) and the nouns to the left:
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wáglutapi - table wičhítenaškaŋškaŋ - television wówapi - book wíčazo - pencil wóžuha - bag oákaŋke - chair šiyútakaŋ - laptop akáŋwowapi - desk wíyatke - cup oyúŋke - bed |
Here are some examples:
- Wówapi kiŋ wáglutapi kiŋ akáŋl yaŋké. - The book is sitting on the table.
- Wóžuha kiŋ oyúŋke kiŋ oȟláthe yaŋké. - The bag is sitting under the bed.
- Šiyútakaŋ kiŋ akáŋwowapi kiŋ isákhib yaŋké. - The laptop is sitting beside the desk.
- Wíčazo kiŋ oákaŋke kiŋ itȟókab yaŋké. - The pencil is sitting in front of the chair.
- Wíyatke kiŋ wóžuha kiŋ ihákab yaŋké. - The cup is sitting behind the bag.

Vocabulary
Sentences to write:
- uŋkčéǧila tȟáŋka - dinosaur
- hoǧáŋ - fish
- íŋyaŋ - rock
- watȟó - plant
- nuŋwé - to swim
- nážiŋ - to stand
- waŋkáb - above
- isákhib - beside
Sentences to write:
- The fish is swimming beside the dinosaur.
- The dinosaur is standing next to the fish.
- The fish is swimming above the rock.
Postpositions in the Nest
Check out the children using postpositions with Lála Tom! Test yourself and see which ones you can recognize! |
New Science Center
A message from the teachers: "The Lakota Language Nest is fortunate to be a part of Sitting Bull College. This partnership enables the children in the nest to have an amazing science center. Our future Lakota scientists in action." Here are some Science related vocabulary:
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Flashcards
Visit the Lakȟól’iyapi Wahóȟpi Quizlet Flashcard page to view flashcard sets for all weeks. On the Quizlet page there are many different features available:
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