Ojibwe Sentences
(last updated 07.19.06)
Sentence and sentence structure - is a very huge topic indeed. Too big to be discussed in one article, particularly in such a small one. I also do not feel competent enough to discuss Ojibwe sentence structure, all types of Ojibwe sentences, etc, cause I know rather little of it. But all in all there is something I know. Here we'll take a look at a few types of Ojibwe sentences.
(This is a rough draft. I'll be very thankful for all comments and corrections!)
I. Intro.
II. Simple sentences.A short note on word order.
III. Compound sentences.
IV. Complex sentences.1. Some notes on adverbial complex sentences. B form and B form with an initial vowel change. a) Adverbial clauses with plain conjunct. b) Adverbial clauses with changed conjunct. 2. Combination of several dependent clauses in a sentence. 3 Some notes on complex sentences containing complement clauses.
In English sentences are divided into several types, depending on their grammatical structure:
I. Simple sentences:
Simple unextended sentences; Simple extended sentences; Compound subject sentences; Compound object sentences;
II. Compound sentences.
III. Complex sentences:Complex sentences; Compound-Complex sentences. Before speaking of sentences, we should first take a look at those parts of which sentences consist. Some knowledge of grammar, and Ojibwe grammar in particular, is very important for understanding sentence structure. So here are some terms:
subject - someone (or something), who performs an action;
object - someone or something, with whom the action is directed towards;
clause - a grammatical unit (collection of words), which consists of at least a subject and verb;
independent clause - a group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought;
dependent clause - a group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought;
Knowing of independent and dependent clauses is vital in Ojibwe, because verbs in these clauses stand in different forms, in an independent A form in independent clauses, and in a dependent B form in dependent clauses.Now let's see how some of these sentences look in Ojibwe.
Simple sentences consist of one independent clause and usually contain one subject and one verb.
There are some types of simple sentences. First let's take a look at unextended and extended simple sentences.
Simple sentences are divided into unextended and extended depending on how many words they contain. Main thing you have to know about unextended simple sentences - they contain only one subject and one verb, wich belongs to a subject (in Ojibwe mainly just verb):Niwiisin. I eat (am eating). If there are some more words in a sentence, but still one subject and one verb, - this is an extended simple sentence:
Niwaabandaan waakaa'igan. I see a house. Waakaa'igan ningii-waabandaan bijiinaago. I saw a house yesterday. To get more familiar with these types of simple sentences in Ojibwe, check Ojibwe Lessons on this site.
Despite English there is a very flexible word order in Ojibwe.
If speaking about verbs, subjects and objects: Both subject and object can take place before or after a verb; so you can say both:
Niwaabandaan waakaa'igan. I-see-it a house. and Waakaa'igan niwaabandaan. A house I-see-it. Or: Nimbaabaa owaabandaan i'iw waakaa'igan. My father he-sees-it that house. and I'iw waakaa'igan owaabandaan nimbaabaa. That house he-sees-it my father. Usually the first place takes a word which is more important to stress from a speaker's point of view. So one can also say:
Owaabandaan i'iw waakaa'igan nimbaabaa. He-sees-it that house my father. and Owaabandaan nimbaabaa i'iw waakaa'igan. He-sees-it my father that house. This flexibility bases on Ojibwe verbs structure. Ojibwe verbs include much more information about both subject and object, than English verbs. And Ojibwe speakers can easily change word order without fear that their addressees misunderstand them.
Though speaking about houses and fathers, first two examples are more appropriate, but it is not a rule -it depends on a situation very much.
If speaking about particles and noun locative: Particles and nouns in locative form also can take different places in a statement, depending on a speaker's choise. But usually they do not intervene in verb-subject-object block, and are placed before of after it:
Waakaa'igan ningii-waabandaan bijiinaago. I saw a house yesterday. or Bijiinaago waakaa'igan ningii-waabandaan. Yesterday I saw a house.
Adaawewigamigong ningii-izhaa bijiinaago. I went to the store yesterday. or Ningii-izhaa adaawewigamigong bijiinaago. I went to the store yesterday. or Bijiinaago adaawewigamigong ningii-izhaa. Yesterday I went to the store. The only note: such words of time as 'noongom', 'waabang', 'bijiinago', if they are placed at the end of a statement, usually take the last position, locative and other particles are usually stand before them. At least I've never seen the opposite.
Surely there are particles, which define nouns; they stand before nouns:
Niizh waakaa'iganan ningii-waabandaanan bijiinaago. Two houses I saw yesterday. or Ningii-waabandaanan niizh waakaa'iganan bijiinaago. I saw two houses yesterday. or Bijiinaago niizh waakaa'iganan ningii-waabandaanan. Yesterday I saw two houses.
If speaking about demonstrative pronouns: You can change a place of a demonstrative pronoun - placing it before or after a noun, but you'll get different meanings:
i'iw waakaa'igan that house Niwaabandaan i'iw waakaa'igan. I see that house and: waakaa'igan i'iw that is a house Wegonen i'iw? - Waakaa'igan i'iw. What is that? - That is a house. Mii iw. That's it.
A simple sentence may be also a clause with a compound subject and / or a compound verb.
A compound subject means that there are several subjects performing an action:
Wiisiniwag Paul dash John. Paul and John are eating. Paul dash John - is a compound subject. A compound verb means that a subject performs several actions:
Wiisini miinawaa minikwe Paul. Paul is eating and drinking. Wiisini miinawaa minikwe - is a compound verb. Simple sentence can contain both a compound subject and a compound verb:
Wiisiniwag miinawaa minikwewag Paul dash John. Paul and John are eating and drinking.
Compound sentences are independent clauses (= simple sentences) that are connected to each other by a coordinator (connecting word or comma).
Compound sentences usually contain two (or more) simple sentences. These simple sentences could stand separately, but they're put together because of some logical reasons (usually simple sentences encounter or name some actions, followed one by one, or just take place).Ningii-waabandaan zaaga'igan bijiinaago miinawaa ningii-waabamaa ningozis. I saw a lake yesterday and I saw my son. Bijiinaago, ningii-wiisin, ningii-amwaa bakwezhigan miinawaa ningii-miijin waawaashkeshi wiiyaas. Yesterday, I ate, I ate bread and I ate deer meat. Bijiinaago, gigii-wiisinimin, bakwezhigan ningii-amwaa, giin dash, waawaashkeshi wiiyaas gigii-miijin. Yesterday, we ate, I ate bread; and you, you ate deer meat. As you can see from the examples above, some simple sentences are just put together (usually using connecting words 'miinawaa', 'gaye', or comma) into one compound sentence.
All simple sentences in a compound one are independent and all verbs in them stand in an independent A form.Note. There is one thing must be mentioned here. In English you don't have to repeat a verb, encountering actions of the same nature, e.g., "I ate bread and deer meat" is a simple sentence in English, you don't need to say: "I ate bread and I ate deer meat". But in Ojibwe you have to, because these are different verbs in fact.
Though it doesn't mean that there are more compound sentences in Ojibwe, than in English. Cause in Ojibwe it is much more appropriate to use simple sentences in these cases and do not combine them into compound ones. So -Bijiinaago, ningii-wiisin. Bakwezhigan ningii-amwaa. Waawaashkeshi wiiyaas ningii-miijin miinawaa. Yesterday, I ate. I ate bread. I also ate deer meat.
Complex sentences is a bit more difficult topic. Complex sentences consist usually of a main independent clause and a subordinate dependent clause. Complex sentences are divided into several types, depending on a dependent clause type.
Ojibwe verbs in independent or main clauses stand in A form, and verbs in dependent or subordinate clauses stand in B form.
Note. But remember, that in wh-questions B form is always used, even if it is a main clause. There are also some particles, which force a verb in a main clause to change its form [*].
1. Some notes on adverbial complex sentences
Adverbial complex sentences consist of an independent clause and an adverbial dependent clause.
Adverbial clauses are dependent sentences which play in complex sentences the same role as adverbs in simple ones. They describe obstacles of a main clause action (time, purpose, reason, etc) and answer questions: when?, where?, why?, with what goal/result?.
In complex sentences, containing adverbial clauses, verbs in main (independent) clauses stand in A form, and verbs in dependent (adverbial) clauses usually stand in B form, plain or changed, depending on a dependent sentence (clause) type.B form and B form with an initial vowel change
A difference occurs between B form and B form with an initial vowel change.
B form without initial vowel change (plain conjunct) has hypothetical meaning, it describes something that haven't happen yet, and you don't know for sure if it happens. It is very often preceded with a word 'when' in translation, or at least 'when' could be easily placed before it without real change of its meaning.
B form with an initial vowel change (changed conjunct) has a 'real' meaning. Verbs in it describe real situations, not just 'if' or 'when'. In translations it is usually preceded with words: 'because', 'while', 'even though', 'whenever', 'in order to'.
Note.There are some verbs in Ojibwe, which have so called relative roots (two of most often used are izhi- and onji-). Verbs, containing those relative roots always show initial vowel change in B form, even in cases where B form without initial vowel change must be used.
a) Some adverbial clauses in which plain conjunct, or B form without initial vowel change is used
These are examples of complex sentences containing conditional adverbial clauses. They describe conditions, which have to happen for to perform (or do not perform) a main action - "if this (dependent action), then that (main action)":
Giishpin gimiwang waabang, gaawiin niwii-izhaasii adaawewigamigong. If it rains (B form) tomorrow, I won't go (A form) to the store. A main clause here is -
"gaawiin niwii-izhaasii adaawewigamigong." (I won't go to the store)
It is an independent statement. It could be used alone.An adverbial clause is -
"giishpin gimiwang waabang." (if it rains tomorrow)
It is a dependent statement. It could not be used alone.Giishpin gii-gimiwang bijiinago, gaawiin nigii-izhaasii adaawewigamigong. If it rained (B form) yesterday, I wouldn't go (A form) to the store. A main clause here is -
"gaawiin nigii-izhaasii adaawewigamigong" (I didn't go to the store).An adverbial clause is -
"giishpin gii-gimiwang bijiinago" (if it was raining yesterday).
Aanawi wii-gimiwang waabang, ninga-izhaa adaawewigamigong. Even if it will be raining tomorrow, I'll go to the store. A main clause here is -
"ninga-izhaa adaawewigamigong". (i'll go to the store)An adverbial clause is -
"aanawi wii-gimiwang waabang". (though it will rain tomorrow)
These are examples of complex sentences containing temporal adverbial clauses. They describe additional actions, which take place before, at the same time or after an action of a main clause. In temporal adverbial clauses verbs usually preceded by jibwaa-, ishkwaa-, etc:
Adaawewigamigong jibwaa-izhaayaan, niwii-wiisin. Before I go (B form) to the store, I'll eat (A form). A main clause here is -
"niwii-wiisin." (I'll eat/ be eating)
It is an independent statement. It could be used alone.An adverbial clause is -
"adawewigamigong jibwaa-izhaayaan." (before I go to the store)
It is a dependent statement. It could not be used alone.
Adaawewigamigong ishkwaa-izhaayaan, niwii-wiisin. After I go to the store, I'll eat. A main clause here is -
"niwii-wiisin." (I'll eat/ be eating)An adverbial clause is -
"adawewigamigong ishkwaa-izhaayaan." (after I go to the store)
Adaawewigamigong izhaayaan, niwii-wiisin. I'll eat, (when) going to the store. A main clause here is -
"niwii-wiisin." (I'll eat/ be eating)An adverbial clause is -
"adawewigamigong izhaayaan." (when I go to the store)Note.
In statements where infinitive is used in English, in Ojibwe B form without initial vowel change is used: Niminwendam omaa ayaayaan. I'm glad (A form) to be (B form) here.
b) Some adverbial clauses in which changed conjunct, or B form with initial vowel change is used
This is an example of a complex sentence containing an adverbial clause of reason. It describes a reason of the main action. Why the main action is taking or not taking place:
Gaawiin gii-bi-izhaasii gaa-aakozid. He didn't come (A form) cause he was sick (B form). A main clause here is -
"gaawiin gii-bi-izhaasii". (he didn't come)An adverbial clause is -
"gaa-aakozid". (cause he was sick)In adverbial clauses of reason A form could also be used:
Gaawiin gii-bi-izhaasii gii-aakozi. He didn't come (A form) (cause) he was sick (A form).
This is an example of a complex sentence containing an adverbial clause of purpose. It describes a purpose of the main action. What for the main action is performed:
Oodenaang niwii-izhaa miijim waa-adaaweyaan. I'm going (A form) to town in order to buy (B form) food. A main clause here is -
"oodenaang niwii-izhaa". (I'll go to town)An adverbial clause is -
"miijim waa-adaaweyaan". (in order i'll buy food)
As I understand this construction of a clause of purpose is rather rear in Minnesota Ojibwe. Usually preverb ji- ('for to do smth.', 'in order to do smth.') is used with B form in this case:
Oodenaang niwii-izhaa miijim ji-adaaweyaan. I'm going (A form) to town in order to buy (B form) food.
Note. In Ojibwe such construction as 'mii... ji...' is used to say 'it's time for... (to do something). A verb after 'ji-' must stand in B form:
Mii zhigwa ji-izhaayaan adaawewigamigong. Now it's time for me to go to the store. Mii waabang ji-maajaayaang. We will leave tomorrow. [Tomorrow is time for us to leave.]
This is an example of a complex sentence containing a durative adverbial clause. It describes an action, during which the main action is taking place. The main action is performed while something else is happening:
Epiichi-nibaayaan, gii-maajiipo. While I was sleeping (B form), it started to snow (A form). A main clause here is -
"gii-maajiipo". (it started to snow)An adverbial clause is -
"epiichi-nibaayaan". (while i am sleeping)This statement is very close to temporal adverbial clauses, where B form without initial vowel change is used. The actual difference is in hypothetical "when" in temporal clauses and real "while" in durative. Not too much difference in meaning, but different B forms!
This is an example of a complex sentence containing a time-cause adverbial clause. Time-cause clauses are close to durative ones, but they describe actions in a 'cause-and-effect' way:
Gekenimag gaa-nishkaadizid ningii-ni-maajaa. When I realized (B form) he was angry (B form), I left (A form). A main clause here is -
"ningii-ni-maajaa". (I left)An adverbial clause is -
"gekenimag gaa-nishkaadizid". (cause I realized he was angry)
As I understand past tense prefix gaa- can precede any of two verbs in an adverbial clause without any change in meaning:
Gaa-gikenimag nishkaadizid ningii-ni-maajaa.
This is an example of a complex sentence containing a concessive adverbial clause. In concessive adverbial clause a main action is performed despite a dependent action: even though (dependent action), - (main action):
Epiichi-odaabii'iweyaan, giga-ganoonin. Even though I'll be driving (B form), I'll call you (A form). A main clause here is -
"giga-ganoonin". (I'll call you)An adverbial clause is -
"epiichi-odaabii'iweyaan". (while i'm driving)Note. This example is very close to one of examples I gave for conditional clauses:
Aanawi wii-gimiwang waabang, ninga-izhaa adaawewigamigong. Even if it will be raining tomorrow, I'll go to the store. (conditional) The difference again is in 'reality' of a concessive clause ('even though') and 'possibility' of a conditional one ('even if'). Again two different B forms are used!
Aanawi waa-gimiwang waabang, ninga-izhaa adaawewigamigong. Even though it will be raining tomorrow, I'll go to the store. (concessive)
2. Combination of several dependent clauses in a sentence
Here are just some examples:
First there is a complex sentence with two adverbial clauses of purpose:
Aaniinapii waa-nanaa'itooyan nindoodaabaan (1)ji-izhaayaan waasamobimide adaawewigamigong (2)ji-mooshkinebadooyaan? When are you going to fix my car (1)so that I can go to the gas station (2)in order to fill it up? A main clause here is a wh-question:
"Aaniinapii waa-nanaa'itooyan nindoodaabaan?" (when are you going to fix my car?)Both adverbial clauses are formed the same way with preverb ji-, which means "in order to do smth", "for to do smth" and just follow one another. Check that the second adverbial clause describes a purpose of the first one!
Now there is a complex sentence with an adverbial clause of purpose and a temporal adverbial clause:
Gigii-piidoonan ina iniw jiimaanan 1) ji nanaa'itooyang 2) jibwaa-maajii gimiwang? Did you bring those canoes 1) so that we(inc) can fix them 2) before it begins to rain? A main clause here is a "yes/no" question:
"Gigii-piidoonan ina iniw jiimaanan?" (did you bring those canoes?)An adverbial clause of purpose is -
"ji nanaa'itooyang". (for we can fix them)And a temporal adverbial clause is -
"jibwaa-maajii gimiwang". (before it begins to rain)Their position in the sentence is logical. The second (temporal) adverbial clause complements the first one (of purpose). If you change them over the sense will be different. The temporal adverbial clause will complement the main clause in this case:
Gigii-piidoonan ina iniw jiimaanan 1) jibwaa-maajii gimiwang 2) ji nanaa'itooyang? Did you bring those canoes 1) before it begins to rain 2) so that we(inc) can fix them?
The last example is a complex sentence with an adverbial clause of purpose and an adjectival clause:
Gidoozhitoonaawaa na i'iw apabawin 1) ji namadabiwaad ongow ininiwag 2) ayekoziwaad? Did you all make that chair 1) so that these men can sit in it 2) when they are tired? A main clause here is a "yes/no" question:
"Gidoozhitoonaawaa na i'iw apabawin?" (did you all make that chair?)An adverbial clause of purpose is -
"ji namadabiwaad ongow ininiwag". (for that men to sit)An adjectival clause is -
"ayekoziwaad". (when they are tired)
3. Some notes on complex sentences containing complement clauses
Complement clauses are statements or questions, which embedded or packed into larger complex sentences. These complex sentences often look like: "i think that (complement clause)", "i know that (complement clause)", "do you know if (complement clause)", he said that (complement clause), etc. Complement clauses could be embedded sentences, embedded yes-no questions, embedded wh-questions (also called conjunct or content questions), and embedded direct speech. In all types of complement clauses, except direct speech, verbs stand in changed conjunct order, or in B form with initial vowel change.
Embedded sentences
nindinendaan waa-mino-ayaad John wayiiba. I think that John will be o'kay soon. ogii-mikwendaan waa-izhaayaan adaawewigamigong. He remembered that I am going to go to the store. When a main clause contains words 'think' (inendan) or 'say' (ikido), in embedded sentences instead of indirect speech more often direct speech is used:
Indirect speech: John gii-ikido waa-mino-ayaad wayiiba. John said that he will be okay soon. Direct speech: "Niwii-mino-ayaa wayiiba," gii-ikido John. "I'll be okay soon," said John. A verb in an independent clause could be either vai or vti:
nindinendaan waa-mino-ayaad John wayiiba. I think (vti) that John will be okay soon. nindinendam waa-mino-ayaad John wayiiba. I think (vai) that John will be okay soon. And if a subject of a complement clause is animate (here: John), the verb in an independent clause could be also vta:
nindinenimaa waa-mino-ayaad John wayiiba. I think (vta) that John will be okay soon. In some cases vti or vai verbs are not used in an independent clause if there is an animate subject in a complement clause. These are cases where you need verbs: waabam-, noondaw- (and mikoojiin- ?) in an independent clause. Only vta verbs must be used then:
ningii-waabamaa John ezhaad oodenaang. I saw (vta) John going to town.
Embedded yes-no questions.
Gikenimaa na waa-dagoshing? Do you know if he will arrive? Particle giishpin (if) could be added to embedded yes-no questions without any change of a meaning:
Gikenimaa na giishpin gaa-dagoshing? Do you know if he arrived? A verb in an independent statement could also be vti (or/and vai?). Vta verbs are used with an animate subject of a complement clause only:
Gikendaan na giishpin gaa-dagoshing? Do you know if he arrived?
Embedded wh-questions:
Gikenimaa na aaniin ezhichiged? Do you know what is he doing? Embedded wh-questions do not change their look in complement clauses.
If in a complement clause there is an animate subject, a verb in an independent clause must be only vta.
As in embedded yes-no questions, interrogative particle (i)na is used in an independent clause.
Reporting direct speech.
"Wii-mino-ayaa John wayiiba," ningii-ikid. I said: "John will be okay soon." Reporting direct speech, an independent clause often follows a complement clause.
[*] Important Note.
There are some particles which can force a verb in a main clause to change its form into B form. One of them is an emphatic particle mii. In common speech, particle mii (or mii dash, miish) is often used at the beginning of a sentence. This particle makes a verb even in a main clause(!) to appear in B form!
Epiichi-nibaayaan, gii-maajiipo. While I was sleeping (ch.B form), it started to snow (A form). Epiichi-nibaayaan, mii iidog gii-maajiipog. While I was sleeping (ch.B form), it probably started to snow (B form).
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