Lesson 2

A Division of The Ho-Chunk Nation
Hocąk Wazija Haci Language Division
N4845 Hwy. 58, P.O. Box 390
Mauston, WI 53948

Lesson 2 - Forming Commands by Adding a Suffix

This lesson will focus on forming commands in Hocąk. In order to make a command, or imperative,
Hocąk makes use of a suffix which is attached to a root verb form.

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Making a Command (refer to one person) with a Suffix

The form of this suffix is “re”. Look at the following examples to see how the imperative is formed refer to one person.

Minąk "to sit"

Kikuruža "to wash oneself"

The above forms are the bare forms, also called infinitives.

To make these into a command to one person, Hocąk simply adds 're" (the imperative suffix).

Minąk + re = minągre "Sit down!"

Kikuruža + re = kikuružare "Wash yourself! (wash up)"

(You may notice that there is a sound change in the form "sit down".
While this is important to know, it is also a step that will begin to take place naturally as you gain confidence as a speaker.
To see a more in-depth explanation, see the voicing portion on the grammar page.)

This seems to be a fairly simple operation. Languages, however, are rarely simple and Hocąk is a good example. There is a major sound change rule in Hocąk which we can demonstrate using the imperatives. Look at the following examples.

Rušją "to quit, stop, finish"

Nažį "to stand"

To make these into a command, Hocąk simply adds "ne" (the imperative suffix). This is a general rule that occurs throughout Hocąk.
Whenever an "r" follows a nasal vowel, it will always become "n".

Rušją + re = rušjąne "Stop it!"

Nažį + re = nažįne "Stand up!"

(Hopefully you noticed that when the imperative suffix is added to these words, the "r" changes into an "n".
This is because the form follows a nasal vowel.) You now have the ability to create commands in Hocąk. All you need to know is what the infinitive
form of a verb is, and you can make a command from it. Yet the forms that we have learned so far only refer to one person.
In other words, if you say “minągre”, you are only telling one person to sit down.

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How do you issue a command to more that one person?

Hocąk makes the imperative plural by the use of another suffix. This suffix is "wi".
To form a plural imperative, you first add this plural suffix to the verb, and then the imperative suffix.

Look at the following examples.

Minąk "to sit"

Kikuruža "to wash oneself"

Step 1- Add the pluralizing suffix "wi".

Minąk + wi

Kikuruža + wi

Step 2- Add the imperative suffix

Minąk + wi + re = minągwire "Sit down! (to more than one person)"

Kikuruža + wi + re = Kikuružawire "Wash yourselves!"

The nasal vowels have an effect on how we say things in Hocąk. Anytime the suffix "-wi" follows a nasal vowel, then the /i/ will
also become nasal.

Look at the following example.

Rušją "to quit, stop, finish"

Nažį "to stand"

To make these into a command for more than one person, Hocąk adds "wi" and "ne" because of the nasal vowel.

Rušją + wi + re = Rušjąwįne "Stop it! (to more than one)"

Nažį + wi + re = Nažįwįne "Stand up! (to more than one)"

Notice that the /i/ has become nasal, and that this triggers the rule we learned above.
Namely, the /i/ becomes nasal, and the /r/ then changes to /n/.

Below are some examples for you to practice with. Form both the singular and the plural imperative for each word. We have also included some more useful phrases so you may continue to use the language on a daily basis. Please remember that the only way to learn a language is to use it as much as possible. What is contained in these brief lessons should not be the walls of your learning world. Ask Speakers questions, come up with phrases of your own. Write down phrases you use everyday and ask to have them translated. Then speak as much as possible. Interaction with another is the best, but if you have to, just talk to yourself.

Minąk "to sit" Singular Imperative Plural Imperative

Nažį "to stand" Singular Imperative Plural Imperative

Kikawaˈų "to get up" Singular Imperative Plural Imperative

Hikį "to wake up" Singular Imperative Plural Imperative

Rušją "to stop, quit, finish" Singular Imperative Plural Imperative

Nuwąk "to run" Singular Imperative Plural Imperative

Kikuruža "to wash oneself" Singular Imperative Plural Imperative

Kanąk "to put something somewhere" Singular Imperative Plural Imperative

T'ųp "to put something away" Singular Imperative Plural Imperative

Mįk "to lie down" Singular Imperative Plural Imperative

Xap gunį "to be quiet" Singular Imperative Plural Imperative

Waruc "to eat" Singular Imperative Plural Imperative