Kickapoo/Grammar

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