Difference between revisions of "Kickapoo/Grammar"
From LING073
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Animate nouns end in -a which is the marker for ‘ANIMATE.’ | Animate nouns end in -a which is the marker for ‘ANIMATE.’ | ||
| − | + | In order for a noun to be considered animate, it must be organic, i.e., it must have to be perceived as a living entity. Also, sacred ceremonial objects, including musical instruments, that don’t usually meet the normal animacy requirements can be considered animate (Whittaker, 2006:2). For the most part, nouns are considered animate if they can move on their own. | |
=== Regular plurals === | === Regular plurals === | ||
Revision as of 15:03, 19 February 2026
Hi
Animate Nouns
this counts as two grammar points: one main point, and a number of nuances that together count again
Animate nouns end in -a which is the marker for ‘ANIMATE.’
In order for a noun to be considered animate, it must be organic, i.e., it must have to be perceived as a living entity. Also, sacred ceremonial objects, including musical instruments, that don’t usually meet the normal animacy requirements can be considered animate (Whittaker, 2006:2). For the most part, nouns are considered animate if they can move on their own.
Regular plurals
Regular plurals are formed with the addition of «s» or «es».
- Nouns ending in «s», «ch», «x», or «z» take the suffix «es»:
- box<n><pl> ↔ boxes
- match<n><pl> ↔ matches
- kiss<n><pl> ↔ kisses
- Otherwise the suffix is «s»:
- snake<n><pl> ↔ snakes
- window<n><pl> ↔ windows
- boy<n><pl> ↔ boys
- Nouns that end in «o» are unpredictable: some take «s» and some take «es»:
- potato<n><pl> ↔ potatoes
- piano<n><pl> ↔ pianos
