Yahi dialect
Dialect of the extinct Yana language
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Yahi was a dialect of the extinct Yana language that was spoken in the upper Sacramento Valley area, roughly in the area between Mill Creek and Deer Creek. It is one of the southern dialects of Yana, which is a language isolate, though with possible connections to Hokan. Yana is known as having been the language of Ishi, the last surviving Yana Indian, who worked with anthropologists to make a record of the language and culture.
History
Vocabulary
Yahi distinguishes male and female forms with male forms, frequently marked with the suffix -na, generally longer than female forms. Some examples are:[3]
| Male Form | Female Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| diwai-ja | diwai-tch | see me! |
| t'en'na | t'et | grizzly bear |
| yana | yah | person |
Examples
Some language samples from Kroeber, T[4]
| Yahi | English |
|---|---|
| ähä | yes |
| k'u'i | no |
| kuwi | shaman |
| mudjaúpa | chief |
| sake mahale | menstruating woman |
| saltu | white person |
| siwini | yellow pine |
| wataurisi | bastard |
Pronouns
| Yahi | English |
|---|---|
| ai'numa | you (formal) |
auna - fire
Numerals
Some numerals from Sapir et al.,[5]
| Numeral | Yahi |
|---|---|
| 1 | baigu |
| 2 | uxmic'igu |
| 3 | bulmic'igu |
| 4 | daumigu |
| 5 | xaaʒan |
| 6 | baiwawi |
| 7 | |
| 8 | |
| 9 | |
| 10 | xaaʒanwilsamc'gu |
| 20 | |
| 40 | |
| 60 | |
| 80 |
Samples
| Yahi | English |
|---|---|
| achi djeyauna? | what is his name? |
| ine me yahi? | are you an Indian? |
| wo-wi | my house |