Inflectional Template for Nouns

  The following template of suffixes associated with nouns, is from Nichols 1980, p. 15.

A. Possessed Theme Sign Suffix. This is a suffix commonly added to possessed nouns, e.g., niwaagoshim, 'my fox.'

B. Pejorative Suffix. This suffix indicates than an object is worn out or held in contempt, e.g., babagiwayaanish, 'worn-out shirt.'

C. Nominal Central Suffixes. These are suffixes used in possessive forms, e.g., imbabagiwayaanishinaanin, 'our worn-out shirts.'

D-E-F. Vocative Plural Suffix. This suffix is used when directly addressing more than one individual, e.g., waagoshidog! '(you) foxes!'

D-E. Dubitative and Preterit Mode Suffixes. These suffixes are used in combination to indicate that an object is of uncertain identity, e.g., jiimaanigoban, 'apparent former boat/canoe.'

E. Preterit Mode Suffix. This suffix is used especially to indicate the deceased status of an individual, e.g., nimishoomisiban, 'my deceased grandfather.'

F. Peripheral Suffixes. These suffixes indicate plurality, and obviation (in the case of animates), e.g., waagoshag, 'foxes,' jimaanan, 'boats.'

F. Locative Suffix. Used to specify a location, or as the object of a relative root or preverb, e.g., waagoshing, 'on the fox, like a fox.'