Diminutives

Question 1

What is the universal rule for all diminutives?

Answer 1

every t changes to c

Question 2

Nouns ending in “k”

Answer 2

Add “os”
mistik (log) - miscikos (stick)

Question 3

Nouns ending in “i”

Answer 3

Add “sis”
wâwi (egg) - wâwisis (small egg)

Question 4

Nouns ending in “wa”

Answer 4

Drop “wa” and add “osis”
mwâkwa - mwâkosis

Question 5

Nouns ending in “êw”

Answer 5

Drop “w” and add “sis”
nâpêw (man) - nâpêsis (boy)

Question 6

Nouns ending in “aw”, “ay”, or “âw”

Answer 6

Drop the “aw”, “ay”, or “âw” and add “âs”
mêskanaw (road) - mêskanâs (a small road)

Question 7

Nouns ending in “iy” or “iw”

Answer 7

Drop the “iy” or “iw” and add “îs” or “îsis”
maskosiy (blade of grass) - maskosîs (a small blade of grass)

Question 8

Nouns ending in “oy”

Answer 8

Drop the “oy” and add “ôs”
tohtôsâpoy (milk) - cohcôsâpôs (a bit of milk/creamer)

Question 9

Exceptional nouns ending in “m”, “n”, or “s”

Answer 9

Add “os(is)”
atim - acimosis

Question 10

All other nouns without a rule

Answer 10

Add “is”

Question 11

How do you pluralize diminutives

Answer 11

Animate: add “ak”
Inanimate: add “a”