Senjecas Sayings

Pronunciation table

peműko (labial)								riisűko (dental)								muitűko (alveolar)								vainűko (palatal)							ṡ̨uuše̋nos (vowels)								nı̋þo ṡ̨uuše̋nos (weak vowels)
p	b	f	v	m̃	m			t	d	þ	ð	ɫ	l			ṡ	ż	s	z	r	n			k	g	x	ƣ	h	ȝ			š	s̨			i	e	a	ǫ	o	u			ĭ	ĕ	ŭ
/p/	/b/	/ɸ/	/β/	/m̥/	/m/			/t/	/d/	/θ/	/ð/	/l̥/	/l/			/ʦ/	/ʣ/	/s/	/z/	/ɾ̥/	/n/			/k/	/g/	/ç/	/ʝ/	/j̊/	/j/			/sʷ/	/sʲ/			/i/	/e/	/ä/	/ɒ/	/o/	/u/			/ɪ/	/ɛ/	/ʊ/

Glossing abbreviations

1s/p = 1st person singular/plural	ABL = ablative suffix	COL = collective	F = feminine	INT = intensive prefix	PRV = privative prefix	SUP = supine
2s/p = 2nd person singular/plural	ABS = absolutive (an unmarked modifying adjective)	DES = desiderative	FRQ = frequentative	LAT = lative suffix	PST = past	TRZ = transitivizer
3 = 3rd person	ADV = adverb	DIM = diminutive	FUT = future	LOC = locative suffix	REV = reversive	VOC = vocative particle
A(.s/p) = accusative (singular/plural)	AG = agent	ELIS = elision	IMP = imperative	M = masculine	Q = interrogative particle
G(.s/p) = genitive (singular/plural)	AP = agent (active) participle	ELT = elative	INC = inchoative	OCC = occupation suffix	QUOT = direct quotation
N(.s/p) = nominative (singular/plural)	AUG = augmentative	EP = epenthesis	IND = indicative	PP = patient (past) participle	RPR = recent perfective
V(.s/p) = vocative (singular/plural)	CAUS = causative	EQU = equative degree	INS = instrument	PRF = perfect	SBJ = subjunctive

Sayings

• Pity him who thinks there is only one way to make a language.
• þűn kűȝom ȝe̋kam va̋a̋nu vűűlu na̋mantum bűɫe⁝

þűn	kűȝ-om	ȝe̋k-am	va̋a̋n-u	vűűl-u	na̋m-a-nt-um	bűɫ-e
one	method-A.s	language-A.s	create-SUP	there.be-SUP	believe-IND-AP-A.s	pity-IMP

• Let the beauty of what you love be what you do.
• tu-m̃enaþős gővtam tu-kı̋aþom e̋su he̋ne⁝

tu=m̃en-a-þ-ős	gővt-am	tu=kı̋-a-þ-om	e̋s-u	he̋n-e
your=love-IND-PP-G.s	beauty-A.s	your=do-IND-PP-A.s	be-SUP	allow-IMP

• Every time you open your mouth, people can read your mind.
• méti tu-őősom t̬ı̋va. tu-me̋ina ð̨a̋a̋aþa ı̋lu ma̋ƣa⁝

méti	tu=őős-om	t̬ı̋v-a	tu=me̋in-a	ð̨a̋a̋-a-þ-a	ı̋l-u	ma̋ƣ-a
whenever	your=mouth-A.s	open-IND	your=mind-N.s	read-IND-PP-N.s	become-SUP	be.able-IND

• Knowledge is knowing that the tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.
• sa̋a̋ra novt̬őőkom ma̋a̋lom e̋su sa̋a̋ru e̋sa: sa̋a̋sta maalme̋iṡom éna éȝim ðȩ̋u ne sa̋a̋ru e̋sa⁝

sa̋a̋r-a	novt̬őők-om	ma̋a̋l-om	e̋s-u	sa̋a̋r-u	e̋s-a	sa̋a̋st-a	maal-me̋iṡ-om	éna	éȝ-om	ðȩ̋-u	ne	sa̋a̋r-u	e̋s-a
knowledge-N.s	tomato-A.s	fruit-A.s	be-SUP	know-SUP	be-IND	wisdom-N.s	fruit-mix-A.s	in	3-A.s	put-SUP	not	know-SUP	be-IND

• How is a person who can vote, but who never takes time to do it, any better off than the person who is prevented from voting at all?
• őpu ma̋a̋ƣlu. de őpu kı̋þa néxum. xáálu űűþu vűűa sómi kísu őpu áfa sa̋baþu ı̋l̤u⁝

őp-u	ma̋a̋ƣ-l-u	de	őp-u	kı̋þ-a	néxum	xáálu	u~űþ-u	vűű-a	sómi	kísu
vote-SUP	be.able-AG-N.s	but	vote-SUP	take.time-IND	never	how	ELT~fortunate-N.s	be-IND	than	at.all

őp-u	áfa	sa̋b-a-þu-Ø	ı̋l-l-u
vote-SUP	from	prevent-IND-PP-ABS	become-AG-N.s

• Speak in such a way that others love to listen to you. Listen in such a way that others love to speak to you.
• toálu sa̋m̃e. ƥúvi ánus tum a̋a̋m̃u pı̋ı̋ra: toálu a̋a̋m̃e. ƥúvi ánus tús o sa̋m̃u pı̋ı̋ra⁝

toáál-u	sa̋m̃-e	ƥúvi	án-us	t-um	a̋a̋m̃-u	pı̋ı̋r-e̋ȝ-a	toáál-u	a̋a̋m̃-e	ƥúvi	án-us	t-ús	o	sa̋m̃-u	pı̋ı̋r-a
such-ADV	speak-IMP	so.that	other-N.p	2s-A	listen.to-SUP	desire-IND	such-ADV	listen.to-IMP	so.that	other-N.p	2s-G	to	speak.to-SUP	desire-IND

• Think for yourself (and) let others enjoy the privilege of doing so, too.
• tu-miűs éra me̋ine: ítu kı̋u boþı̋tom ba̋ȝu étu ánun he̋ne⁝

tu=mi-űs	éra	me̋in-e	ítu	kı̋-u	boþı̋t-om	ba̋ȝ-u	étu	án-un	he̋n-e
your=self-Gs	for	think-IMP	so	do-SUP	privilege-A.s	enjoy-SUP	too	other-A.p	let-IMP

• Being intelligent doesn't prevent one from believing in stupid things, it just expands the realm of possibilities.
• sa̋a̋ru vűűu mőőm̃on na̋mu áfa tı̋ı̋ðum sa̋ba ne: átu maaƣta̋m a̋a̋ram a̋a̋ra⁝

sa̋a̋r-u	vűű-u	mőőm̃-on	na̋m–u	áfa	tı̋ı̋ð-um	sa̋b-a	ne	átu	maaƣt-a̋m	a̋a̋r-am	a̋a̋r-a
intelligent-N.s	be-SUP	stupid-A.p	believe-SUP	from	one-A.s	prevent-IND	not	just	possibility-G.p	realm-A.s	expand-IND

• Do not envy those above you, nor despise those below you.
• tús úpa vűűantun na̋ȝe mee. tús néra vűűantun va̋ise meek̬e⁝

t-ús	úpa	vűű-a-nt-un	na̋ȝ-e	mee	t-ús	néra	vűű-a-nt-un	va̋is-e	mee-k̬e
2s-G	above	be-IND-AP-A.p	envy-IMP	not	2s-G	below	be-IND-AP-A.p	despise-IMP	not-and

• If you wish to bake an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe. (Carl Sagan)
• ébi tu toðra̋s áfa abélvooƣkőðom vőőgu ɫele̋ȝa. toári ormőþtom ne̋e̋ru u-ke̋la⁝

ébi	t-u	toðr-a̋s	áfa	abél-vooƣkőð-om	vőőg-u	ɫel-e̋ȝa	toári	t-u	þúnt-u	ormőþt-om	ne̋e̋r-u	u=ke̋l-a
if	2s-N	start-G.s	from	apple-pie-A.s	bake-SUP	wish-SBJ	then	2s-N	first-ADV	universe-A.s	invent-SUP	FUT=have.to-IND

• Whoso pulleth out this sword of the stone and anvil is rightwise king born of all England. (Lord Tennyson)
• taainősk̬e żirősk̬e áfa i-ve̋e̋mom da̋bantu őr' angel̨a̋s że̋naþu re̋e̋ƣu m̃éérvi e̋sa⁝

taain-ős=k̬e	żir-ős=k̬e	áfa	i=ve̋e̋m-om	da̋b-a-nt-u	őr-'	angel̨-a̋s	że̋n-a-þ-u	re̋e̋ƣ-u	m̃éér-vi	e̋s-a
stone-G.s=and	anvil-G.s=and	from	this=sword-A.s	pull-IND-AP-N.s	all-ELIS	England-G.s	be.born-IND-PP-N.s	king-N.s	right-ADV	be-IND

• Walk not behind me, for I may not lead.
• mum pósa ne̋ðe mee. hi mu deuke̋ȝa mee⁝

m-um	pósa	ne̋ð-e	mee	hi	m-u	deuk-e̋ȝa	mee
1s-A	after	walk-IMP	not	for	1s-N	lead-SBJ	not

• Walk not ahead of me, for I may not follow.
• mum n̨óópa ne̋ðe mee. hi mu dage̋ȝa mee⁝

m-um	n̨ópa	ne̋ð-e	mee	hi	m-u	dag-e̋ȝa	mee
1s-A	before	walk-IMP	not	for	1s-N	follow-SBJ	not

• Walk not beside me either. Just leave me alone.
• mum kóma étu ne̋ðe mee: átu ka̋im̃u mum te̋m̃e⁝

m-um	kóma	étu	ne̋ð-e	mee	átu	ka̋im̃u-Ø	m-um	te̋m̃-e
1s-A	beside	also	walk-IMP	not	just	alone-ABS	1s-A	leave-IMP

• þoosa̋ṡantus vı̋na ne. vı̋nantus þoosa̋ṡa ne⁝
• Those who mind don't matter; those who matter don't mind.

þoos-a̋ṡ-a-nt-us	vı̋n-a	ne	vı̋n-a-nt-us	þoos-a̋ṡ-a	ne
against-move-IND-AP-N.p	be.important-IND	not	be.important-IND-AP-N.p	against-move-IND	not

• He who works with his hand is a laborer.
• eȝu-manős xéma da̋a̋rantu da̋a̋rlu e̋sa⁝

eȝu=man-ős	xéma	da̋a̋r-a-ntu-Ø	da̋a̋r-l-u	e̋s-a
his=hand-G.s	with	work-IND-AP-ABS	work-AG-N.s	be-IND

• He who works with his hand and his head is a craftsman.
• eȝu-manősk̬e niimősk̬e xéma da̋a̋rantu űűrlu e̋sa⁝

eȝu=man-ős=k̬e	niim-ős=k̬e	xéma	da̋a̋r-a-ntu-Ø	űűr-l-u	e̋s-a
his=hand-G.s=and	head-G.s=and	with	work-IND-AP-ABS	craft-AG-N.s	be-IND

• He who works with his hand and his head and his heart is an artist.
• eȝu-manősk̬e niimősk̬e suðősk̬e xéma da̋a̋rantu dűvlu esa⁝

eȝu=man-ős=k̬e	niim-ős=k̬e	suð-ős=k̬e	xéma	da̋a̋r-a-ntu-Ø	dűv-l-u	e̋s-a
his=hand-G.s=and	head-G.s=and	heart-G.s=and	with	work-IND-AP-ABS	have.skill-AG-N.s	be-IND

• A flower dies even though we love it. A weed grows even though we do not love it.
• na̋ni ne̋ṡa—sáámi m̃us eȝim m̃e̋na: alpı̋ı̋r̨i a̋la—sáámi m̃us éȝim m̃e̋na ne:

na̋n-i	ne̋ṡ-a	sáámi	m̃-us	eȝ-im	m̃e̋n-a	alpı̋ı̋r̨-i	a̋l-a	sáámi	m̃-us	eȝ-im	m̃e̋n-a	ne
flower-N.s	die-IND	even.though	1p-N	3-A.s	love-IND	weed-N.s	grow-IND	even.though	1p-N	3-A.s	love-IND	not

• To be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. (Nelson Mandela)
• še̋e̋vu e̋su tevús bűkon átu de̋gu e̋sa ne. de ǧı̋ı̋u mooda̋s éna—tá' anóm še̋e̋vtam te̋e̋tak̬e d̨őgak̬e⁝

še̋e̋v-u	e̋s-u	tev-ús	bűk-on	átu	de̋g-u	e̋s-a	ne	de	ǧı̋ı̋-u	mood-a̋s	éna
free-N.s	be-SUP	one-G.s	chain-A.p	merely	cast.off-SUP	be-IND	not	but	live-SUP	way-G.s	in

tá-'	an-óm	še̋e̋vt-am	te̋e̋t-a=k̬e	d̨őg-a=k̬e
which-ELIS	other-G.p	freedom-A.s	respect-IND=and	enhance-IND=and

• Those that deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves. (Abraham Lincoln.)
• anúm o še̋e̋vtam na̋vantus eȝu-miűm éra éȝam ka̋xa ne⁝

an-úm	o	še̋e̋vt-am	na̋v-a-nt-us	eȝu=mi-űm	éra	éȝ-am	ka̋x-a	ne
other-G.p	to	freedom-A.s	deny-IND-AP-N.p	their=self-G.p	for	3-A.s	deserve-IND	not

• The past will often try to attack the present with the pain of your memories. -Kirima Seiichi
• fe̋sta tu-żuumőm debős xéma nı̋xram fa̋fu mónvi u-sa̋pa:

fe̋st-a	tu=żuum-őm	deb-ős	xéma	nı̋xr-am	fa̋f-u	món=vi	u=sa̋p-a
past-N.s	your=memory-G.p	pain-G.s	with	present-A.s	attack-SUP	often=ADV	FUT=try-IND

• People who wonder whether the glass is half-full or half-empty miss the point. The glass is refillable.
• te̋lantus—ópi gı̋ndo felpe̋e̋lom̃e felm̃a̋a̋nom̃' ese̋ȝa—se̋e̋iðom lőka: gı̋ndo m̃erpe̋e̋laþo ı̋lu ma̋ƣa⁝

te̋l-a-nt-us	ópi	gı̋nd-o	fel.pe̋e̋l-o=m̃e	fel.m̃a̋a̋n-o=m̃='	es-e̋ȝa	se̋e̋ið-om	lők-a
wonder-IND-AP-N.p	whether	cup-N.s	half.full-N.s=or	half.empty-N.s=or=ELIS	be-SBJ	target-A.s	miss-IND

gı̋nd-o	m̃er.pe̋e̋l-a-þ-o	ı̋l-u	ma̋ƣ-a
cup	re.fill-IND-PP-N.s	become-SUP	be.able-IND