“ko3éínoo3ítoó” = ko3ei-noo3itoo = old-story (69 sentences)

[The following historical narrative of the Northern Arapaho Tribe was composed and written down in Arapaho by a group of teachers, all of whom are native speakers. They provided the translation as well, which has been slightly modified by Dr. Andrew Cowell of the University of Colorado to more closely reflect the original Arapaho. The analysis on lines 2 and 3 of each sentence is by Dr. Cowell, who also added the pitch accents on the first line. The surface forms (line 1) have simply been divided on line 2 - no underlying forms have been given.]

téécxo’ 3í’eyóóne’ hinóno’éíno’ hé’ih’éntoono’.

teecxo’ 3i’eyoo-ne’ hinono’ei-no’ he’ih-’entoo-no’

long ago monument-LOC Arapaho-PL NPAST-be at(AI)-PL

‘a long time ago, the Arapaho were in Canada.’

hih’oowúúni woxhóóxebii.

hi-h-’oow-uuni woxhoox-ebii

3-PAST-NEG-ADV horse-PL

‘there were no horses.’

nih’iibíítobéé3i’.

nih-’ii-biitobee-3i’

PAST-HABIT-go on foot(AI)-3p

‘they traveled by foot.’

nih’iinóó’ei3óó3i’ heníítonookúteení3i.

nih-’iinoo’ei3-oo3i’ heniiton-ookutee-ni3i

PAST-hunt(TA).HABIT-3p/3p ??-tooth(AI)-3p.OBV

‘they hunted sabertooth cats.’

béexó3ii hé’ih’iitonóúnowuu.

beex-o3-ii he’ih-’ii-tonoun-owuu

big-arrow-PL NPAST-HABIT-use(TI)-PL

‘they used spears [to hunt]’

notóyeicii nihí’iiniistíí3i’ hitéíxoonínoo.

notoyeic-ii nih-i’-ii-niistii-3i’ hi-teix-oon-inoo

hide-PL PAST-INSTR-HABIT-make(AI-T)-PL 3POSS-clothing-NOM.PL-PL

‘they used the hides [of the sabertooths] to make their clothing.’

nih’iibiinóó3i’; 3eicíií cí’nih’ííbii3í’i.

nih-’ii-biin-oo3i’ 3eici-ii ci’=nih-’ii-bii3-i’i

PAST-HABIT-eat(TA)-3p/3p root-PL also-PAST-HABIT-eat(AI)-3p

‘they ate [the sabertooths]; they also ate roots.’

hóxtoonóú’u néhe’ nii3ííne’etíí3i’.

hoxtoonou’-u nehe’ nii3-iine’etii-3i’

bank/cliff-PL that along-live(AI)-3p

‘they lived along the banks [of rivers].’

hé’ne’cihcésisíihí3i’ hínee yiisííhi’ béesóówu’.

he’ne’-cih-cesisiihi-3i’ hinee yiis-iihi’ bees-oowu’

then/next-to speaker-move camp away(AI)-3p that toward-ADV big-water [sic]

‘then they moved to the Greak Lakes.’

né’céí’sooní’i hibíí3hiinínoo: nówou’u, bííbinóótno noh cééyowciinéyoono.

ne’-cei’soon-i’i hi-bii3hiin-inoo nowou’-u biibinoot-no noh ceeyow-ciineyoo-no

then-different(II)-PL 3POSS-food-PL fish-PL berry-PL and various-planted-PL

‘their food was different now: fish, berries and vegetables.’

cííyoneehíího’ né’césistonóunóó3i’.

ciiyoneehii-ho’ ne’-cesis-tonoun-oo3i’

large dog-PL than-begin-use(TA)-3p/3p

‘that’s when they started using big dogs.’

nih’óo3óú’u né’cihcésisóoséíto’onéí3i’,.

nih’oo3ou-’u ne’-cih-cesis-ooseito’on-ei3ei’

white man-PL then-to speaker-begin-herd(TA)-3p’/3p

‘then the white people started forcing them west,

honóót hé’ihcihnó’xuuohetíno’ niinéniiniicíe

honoot he’ih-cih-no’xuuh-eti-no’ niinenii-niicie

until NPAST-to speaker-arrive with effort(TA)-REFL(AI)-PL tallow-river

until they finally reached Colorado.’

nih’iibí’nii3óeenowóó3i’.

nih-’ii-bi’-nii3oeen-owoo-3i’

PAST-HABIT-only-make willow shelter(TI)-SELFB(AI)-3p

‘they made shelters of willow’

né’césistonóunóú’u 3óuuyokóyono.

ne’-cesis-tonoun-ou’u 3ouuyokoy-ono

then-begin-use(TI)-3p pointed tent-PL

‘then they used tipis.’

nííto’ nih’iitonóunóú’u notóyeicii.

niito’ nih-’ii-tonoun-ou’u notoyeic-ii

first PAST-HABIT-use(TI)-3p hide-PL

‘at first they used hides of animals [for shelter and clothing’.’

né’césisóónoxóébiinóó3i’ nih’óo3óú’u heeyóúhuu.

ne’-cesis-oon-oxeebiin-oo3i’ nih’oo3ou-’u heeyouhuu

then-begin-REDUP-trade-3p/3p white man-PL thing

‘then they started trading goods with the whiteman.’

né’césistonóunóó3i’ núhu’ woxhóóxebii.

ne’-cesis-tonoun-oo3i’ nuhu’ woxhoox-ebii

then-begin-use(TA)-3p/3p this horse-PL

‘then they began using horses.’

hoowoohbíítobééno’

hoowooh-biitobee-no’

no longer-go on foot(AI)-PL

‘they didn’t walk on foot anymore.’

nih’iicíicíísiikohéí3i’ yiisííhi’ heetíhco’óó’, wóó’teenótoyóó’,

nih-’ii-cii-ciisiikohei-3i’ yiis-iihi’ heet-ihco’oo-’ woo’teenotoyoo-’

PAST-HABIT-REDUP-ride far(AI)-3p toward-ADV where-go up(II)-SING black mtn(II)-SING

‘they would ride a long ways, to Yellowstone, the Black Hills,

béí’i’einiicíe heenéí’isííhi’.

bei’i’ei-niicie hee-nei’is-iihi’

shell-river REDUP-how-ADV

Casper, and places like that.’

noh nih’ee3ebcé’eeckóohú3i’ heetko’éinóóni’.

noh nih-’ee3eb-ce’-eeckoohu-3i’ heet-ko’einooni-’

and PAST-there-again-go home(AI)-3p where-be circular(II)-SING

‘and they would go back home to Estes Park.’

néhe’nih’íítcecinsí’i.

nehe’-nih-’iit-cecins-i’i

that-PAST-where-spend winter (AI)-3p

‘that is where they stayed for the winter.’

noh beníícení’i né’nih’iiwóowo’wúuhú3i’,

noh beniicen-i’-i ne’-nih-’ii-woo-wo’wuuhu-3i’

and be summer(II)-SING-ITER then-PAST-HABIT-REDUP-move camp along(AI)-3p

‘and when summer came, they would move around

tih’ii3óókuhóó3i’ h íí3einóónin.

tih-’ii-3ookuh-oo3i’ hii3einoon-in

when.PAST-HABIT-follow(TA)-3p/3p buffalo-OBV

following the buffalo.’

heníísnoh’oonóó3i, né’nih’iicéni3óó3i’.

heniis-noh’-oonoo3i ne’-nih-’ii-ceni3-oo3i’

PERF-kill(TA)-3p.ITER/3p then-PAST-HABIT-butcher(TA)-3p/3p

‘after killing the buffalo, they would dress it.’

nih’iibístonóunéíhit. néhe’nih’eenéisííne’etíí3i’.

nih-’ii-bis-tonouneihi-t nehe’-nih-’een-eis-iine’etii-3i’

PAST-HABIT-all-be used(AI.PASS)-3 that-PAST-REDUP-how-live(AI)-3p

‘every part of the buffalo was used. that is how they lived.’

wohéí né’césisníhi’neenóxoonó’ heesííne’etííno’,

wohei ne’-cesis-nihi’nee-noxoon-o’ hees-iine’etii-no’

well then-begin-very-dangerous(II)-SING how-live(AI)-1p.INCL

‘okay that’s when our life became more dangerous,

hi’ííhi’ tohníhi’neewoo3éé3i’ nih’óo3óú’u.

hi’-iihi’ toh-nihi’nee-woo3ee-3i’ nih’oo3ou-’u

INSTR-ADV because-very-be many(AI)-3p white man-PL

because there were more white people now.’

wohéí né’neyéisiséé3i’:

wohei ne’-neyeisisee-3i’

well then-go apart(AI)-3p

‘well that’s when they parted:

hiinóno’wúúhunénnó’ noowúúhu’ hee3ébiséé3i’,

hiinono’wuuh-nen-no’ noow-uuhu’ hee3eb-isee-3i’

wander-man-PL south-ADV there-go(AI)-3p

the Southern Arapahoes moved south,

noh béésoowú’unénnó’ né’cei3íihí3i’

noh beesoowu’-unen-no’ ne’-cei3iihi-3i’

and great lakes-man-PL then-move camp this way(AI)-3p

and the Great Lakes people came to

béí’i’einiicíe noh nóuuhóowú’;

bei’i’ei-niicie noh nouu-hoowu’

shell-river and swift fox-lodge

the Casper area and Arminto area.

noh né’nih’íitnííseekúú’u hóseihóowú’u; céése’ hítesííno’,

noh né-nih-’iit-niiseekuu-’u hosei-hoowu’-u ceese’ hitesii-no’

and that-PAST-where-two be held(II)-PL away-lodge-PL one cheyenne-PL

‘and that’s where they had two sundances; one was Cheyenne,

céése’ hinóno’éíno’.

ceese’ hinono’ei-no

one Arapaho-PL

the other Arapaho.’

noh núhu’ niisíísiiyeinííxonéé3i’ nih’étbisíítonéíno’.

noh nuhú nii-siisiiyei-niixonee-3i’ nih-’et-bisiiton-eino’

and this HABIT-snake-eat(AI)-3p PAST-FUT-attack(TA)-3p’/1p.INCL

‘and these Shoshones were going to attack us.’

hé’ne’niitówootóú’u núhu’ niibóootno.

he’ne’-niitowoot-ou’u nuhu’ niibooot-no

then/next-hear(TI)-3p this song-PL

‘then they heard these songs.’

wohéí neeníhéesííni: heetbí’co’óókootííno’ núhu’ niibóootno.

wohei neeni-hees-iini heet-bi’-co’-ookootii-no’ nuhu’ niibooot-no

well let it be-how-II.EX FUT-just-again-take home(AI-T)-1p.INCL this song-PL

‘they said, ‘let it go, we’ll just take these songs back home’‘

heetíhtonóúnowúno’ núhu’ niibóootno heehehkóni’.

heetih-tonoun-owuno’ nuhu’ niibooot-no hee-hehkoni’

so that-use(TI)-1p.INCL this song-PL say(AI)-3p.SUBJ

‘’we can use these songs’ they said to themselves.’

‘oh hoowée’ínowuu tih’oonoyóóhobéihí3i’:

‘oh hoow-ee’in-owuu tih-’oonoyoohobeihi-3i’

but NEG-know(TI)-PL when.PAST-be watched(AI.PASS)-3p

‘but they didn’t know they were being watched:

heneihcée3tóó3i’ hihbisíítonéíno’óhk.

henei-h-cee3too-3i’ hih-bisiiton-eino’-ohk

POTENT-PAST-make mistake(AI)-3p COUNTERFACT-attack(TA)-3p’/1p.INCL-SUBJ

‘they would have made a mistake if they had attacked us.’

henéíhnoo’oohóóno’.

henei-h-noo’-ooh-oono’

POTENT-PAST-REDUP-kill(TA)-1p.INCL/3p

‘we would have killed them all.’

héetnííseekúú’ néé’eesíh’iinóó’ núhu’.

heet-niis-eekuu-’ nee’eesih’iinoo-’ nuhu’

where-two-be put up(II)-SING that is what (something) is/was called(II.REL)-SING this

‘’Where Two Sundance Lodges Stood’ is what [that place] is called.’

wohéí he’íícxooyéinííhi’, hé’ne’ce’bisíítonéí3i’ síísiiyeinííxoneehíího’

wohei he’ii-cxooyei-niihi’ he’ne’-ce’-bisiiton-ei3ei’ siisiiyeiniixoneehii-ho

well INDEF-time length-ADV then/next-again-attack(TA)-3p’/3p Shoshone-PL.OBV

‘well sometime later, they were attacked again by Shoshones

noh bení’inénnó hínee konóúwoo’óé’ ní’íi3éíhiinóó’.

noh beni’inen-no hinee konouwoo’oe-’ ni’ii3eihiinoo-’

and soldier-PL.OBV that sweat brush(II)-SING to be called that(II)-SING

and soldiers at the place called ‘Lost Cabin’.’

wohéí céése’inén hé’ihwóowóxu’óo3éíh.

wohei ceese’-inen he’ih-woo-woxu’oo3eih

well one-man NPAST-REDUP-to be blessed(AI.PASS)

‘well, one man was blessed.’

noh né’cihnootosó’ei’ít woxhóóxebii, héé3ebnóho’oesó’noot teesí’.

noh ne’-cih-nootoso’ei’i-t woxhoox-ebii hee3eb-noho’oeso’on-oot tees-i’

and then-to speaker-herd(AI)-3 horse-PL there-chase up(TA)-3/3p top-LOC

‘and he rounded up the horses and chased them to the top [to where the Arapahos

had retreated].’

ne’eenéitóóxobéí3i’. né’cih’oowkóóhuuhéí3i’.

ne’-een-eitooxobei-3i’ ne’-cih-’oowkoohuuhei-3i’

then-REDUP-get horse(AI)-3p then-to speaker-ride down(AI)-3p

‘then they got their horses. then they rode back down [to where their camp was].’

né’íyiihowóó3i’.

ne’-iyiihow-oo3i’

then-chase(TA)-3p/3p

‘then [the Arapahos] chased [the attackers].’

wohéí né’ooxohoecésisbí’owoo3óó3i’.

wohei ne’-ooxohoe-cesis-bi’owoo3-oo3i’

well then-in exchange-begin-defeat(TA)-3p/3p

‘well now it was their turn to start beating them in battle.’

hé’ne’cihtókohuní3i.

he’ne’-cih-tokohu-ni3i

then/next-to speaker-flee(AI)-3p.OBV

‘that’s when they started running from them.’

noh nééceeno’ tóotóú’eebí3i’ ciibéhnéénoníhe’.

noh neecee-no’ too-tou’eebi-3i’ ciibeh-nee-nonih-e’

and chief-PL REDUP-be warned(AI.PASS)-3p PROHIB-REDUP-kill(TA)-IMPER.PL

‘and they were warned by the chiefs ‘don’t kill them, just

bí’tóuninóó3e’.

bi’-touninoo3-e’

just-count coup(TA)-IMPER.PL

capture them!’’

wohéí hé’ne’cihkoo’oúúte’.

wohei he’ne’-cih-koo’ouut-e’

well then/next-to speaker-be dusty(II)-SING

‘now there was just a big cloud of dust’

núhu’ nihwoonó’oteihí3i’ né’cihbixóneséí’i3i’

nuhu’ nih-woo-no’oteihi-3i’ ne’-cih-bixonesei’i-3i’

this PAST-recently-be tough(AI)-3p then-to speaker-cry while chased(AI.PASS)-3p

‘these that were tough before, they were now crying while being chased,

wootíí to’óéneehíího’.

wootii to’oeneehii-ho’

like puppu-PL

just like little pups.’

hé’ihbixónotóuuhunó’ céi3ííhi’.

he’ih-bixonotouuhu-no’ cei3-iihi’

NPAST-cry while hollering(AI)-PL to here-ADV

‘they were crying and screaming coming this way.’

wohéí néhe’nih’íisóó’.

wohei nehe’-nih-’iisoo-’

well that-PAST-how something is(II.REL)-SING

‘okay, that’s how it was.’

wohéí he’íícxooyéinííhi’ néhe’ tééb3ee3éít,

wohei he’ii-cxooyei-niihi’ nehe’ teeb-3ee3ei-t

well INDEF-length of time-ADV this cut off-finger(AI)-3

‘well sometime later this man Black Coal

né’cihnoxúutéixóhoot he’íítoxní3i hinóno’éíno

ne’-cih-noxuuteixoh-oot he’iitox-ni3i hinono’ei-no

then-to speaker-bring to river(TA)-3/3p indefinite number(AI)-3p Arapaho-PL.OBV

brought so many Arapahoes to

núhu’ hiiwóonhéhé héetóóno’.

nuhu’ hiiwoonhehe’ heetoo-no’

this now/today where be located(AI.REL)-1p.INCL

this place where we now live.’

tééb3ee3éít né’sóosononíhoot tooté’einí3 heetíhneecéentóóno’.

teeb3ee3eit ne’-soo-sononih-oot toot-e’ei-ni3 heetih-neeceentoo-no’

Black Coal then-REDUP-flatter-3/3 hole-head-3.OBV so that-stay a while(AI)-1p.INCL

‘Black Coal said a lot of good things about Chief Washakie, so we could stay here

for a while.’

noh nii’óówoot.

noh nii’oow-oot

and receive consent(TA)-3/3

‘and he received his consent.’

Néhe’ heenííbeet né’cihwoono’úuhút

nehe’ hee-niibee-t ne’-cih-woo-no’uuhu-t

this long-nose(AI)-3 then-to speaker-recently-move camp here(AI)-3

‘Sharp Nose them moved over here

nohkúúhu’ híni’ hoo3óó’o’ hinóno’éíno’.

nohk-uuhu’ hini’ hoo3-oo’o’ hinono’ei-no’

with-ADV that next/other-NOM.PL Arapaho-PL

along with the rest of the Arapahos.’

niis nih’oontóótowúno’ núhu’ bííto’ówu’.

niis nih-’oontoot-owuno’ nuhu’ biito’owu’

two PAST-pay(TI)-1p.INCL this land

‘we paid for this land twice.’

néé’eehee3eenéentóóno’ hiit.

nee’ee-hee3ee-neentoo-no’ hiit

that-why-be located somewhere(AI)-1p.INCL here

‘that’s why we are living here.’

héíhoowúni’cé3éso’onéín.

hei-hoow-uni’-ce3eso’on-ei-n

2-NEG-able-chase away(TA)-3p-1.INCL

‘they cannot chase us away.’

wohéí nenéé’, néé’eetoxúnihííni’.

wohei nenee’ nee’eetox-unihii-ni’

well it enough-say(AI)-1p.EXCL

‘okay, we’ve said enough.’

néíhoowbéetbísoo3ítootowúbe heesíí3oobéé’.

nei-hoow-beet-bis-oo3itoot-owube hees-ii3oobee-’

1-NEG-want-all-tell story about something(TI)-PL how-true(II)-SING

‘we don’t want to tell the whole story [about] how true it is.’

ADDENDUM

néhe’ hinóno’éí né’césiswóowo’wúúhut céi3ííhi’.

nehe’ hinono’ei ne’-cesis-woo-wo’wuuhu-t cei3-iihi’

this Arapaho then-begin-REDUP-move camp(AI)-3 to here-ADV

‘then the Arapaho started to move this way’

hínee béésniiciihóho cenihtókooxúuséé3i’.

hinee bees-niicii-hoho cenih-tokooxuusee-3i’

that big-river-PL to speaker-cross over(AI)-3p

‘they crossed those big rivers coming this way.’

híí3einóón né’césis3óó3ookúhoot honóót

hii3einoon ne’-cesis-3oo-3ookuh-oot honoot

buffalo then-begin-REDUP-follow(TA)-3/3 until

‘then they started to follow the buffalo until

cenihnó’xuuohetí3i’ niinéniiniicíe.

cenih-no’xuuh-eti-3i’ niinenii-niicie

to speaker-arrive with effort-REFL-3p tallow-river

they reached the Denver area.’

wohéí néhe’ nih’óó3oo héí’níhi’neeno’úseet,

wohei nehe’ nih’oo3oo hei’-nihi’nee-no’usee-t

well this white man when.PERF-rapid-arrive(AI)-3

‘okay, once the white man really started arriving rapidly,

né’cihwo’wúuhú3i’ yiisííhi’ béí’i’einiicíe.

ne’-cih-wo’wuuhu-3i’ yiis-iihi’ bei’i’ei-niicie

then-to speaker-move camp(AI)-3p towards there-ADV shell-river

then they moved to the Casper area.’

néhe’nih’íítbéétohciinenéíno’, óh héíhoowni’oobéín.

nehe’-nih-’iit-beetoh-ciinen-eino’ ‘oh hei-hoow-ni’oob-ei-n

that-PAST-where-want to-place down-3p/1p.INCL but 2-NEG-agree(TA)-3p-1.INCL

‘that’s where they wanted to place us, but we didn’t agree.’

niinéniiniicíe héénoo nih’iibéétohnee’éetóó3i’.

niinenii-niicie heenoo nih-’ii-beetoh-nee’eetoo-3i’

tallow-creek rule/obligation PAST-IMPERF-want to-that is where located(AI.REL)-3p

‘they [Arapahos] wanted to stay in the Denver area.’

he’íícxooyéinííhi’ hiit né’cihnoxúutéíseenó’

he’ii-cxooyein-iihi’ hiit ne’-cih-noxuuteisee-no’

INDEF-length of time-ADV here then-to speaker-go to river(AI)-1p.INCL

‘sometime later we came up to

núhú héetóóno’ hiiwóonhéhe’.

nuhu’ heetoo-no’ hiiwoonhehe’

this where be located(AI.REL)-1p.INCL now/today

where we are living now.’

nih’étbí’neecéentóóno’, ‘oh néhe’ nih’óó3oo

nih-’et-bi’-neeceentoo-no’ ‘oh nehe’ nih’oo3oo

PAST-FUT-just-be located a while(AI)-1p.INCL but this white man

‘we were only supposed to stay here for a while, but this whiteman (who makes all the rules)

né’bí’ciinenéíno’ hiit,

ne’-bi’-ciinen-eino’ hiit

then-just-place down-3p/1p.INCL here

just put us here,

noh niis honoontóótowúno’ núhu’ bííto’ówu’.

noh niis hon-oontoow-owunu’ nuhu’ biito’owu’

and two REDUP-pay for something(TI)-1p.INCL this land

and we have paid for this land twice.’

wohéí néhe’ nih’óó3oo benée3heenebííte’ hebííto’owúúwun

wohei nehe’ nih’oo3oo benee3-hee-nebiite-’ he-biito’owuuw-un

well this white man finish-REDUP-steal something(AI)-3 2POSS-land-1.INCL

‘well, now the white man has stolen all our land

noh hénecébin, noh nonoo’óóhoot híí3einóón.

noh he-neceb-in noh nonoo’ooh-oot hii3einoon

and 2POSS-water-1.INCL and massacre(TA)-3/3 buffalo

and our water and he killed all the buffalo.’

wohéí né’césisheenésneenó’ noh hiiwóonhéhe’

wohei ne’-cesis-hee-nesnee-no’ noh hiiwoonhehe’

well then-begin-REDUP-hungry(AI)-1p.INCL and now/today

‘well, that’s when we started getting hungry and now

no’óó’ niibí’woníbiiwóohúno’.

no’oo’ nii-bi’-won-ibiiwoohu-no’

way out HABIT-just-go to-cry(AI)-1p.INCL

we just go out into the hills and just cry.’

néé’ee3éí’neenóxootéíht néhe’ nih’óó3oo.

nee’ee3-ei’nee-noxooteih-t nehe’ nih’oo3oo

thus-to what extent-be mean(AI)-3 this white man

‘that’s how mean the white man is.’

néé’ee3éí’cíí3ootéíht.

nee’ee3-ei’-cii3ooteih-t

thus-to what extent-be greedy(AI)-3

‘that’s how greedy he is.’