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Dakelh Phrases (Lheidli): Questions, Commands

Beginner words and phrases in Lheidli dialect of Dakelh, with links to the online dictionary compiled by Bill Poser

Language Note

As Bill Poser says in the dictionary note for de' (give me): "In spite of the curtness suggested by the English translations, this expression is perfectly polite. It is perfectly polite by itself; indeed, Carrier has no word for ‟please”."

Classificatory Verbs Essay: "For many English verbs, Dakelh does not have a single equivalent. Instead, it has a dozen or so, the choice of which depends on what kind of thing the verb deals with. For example, giving someone a shirt and giving someone a rifle require different verbs."

Question Words

Commands

Ndaninyih

Come in (to 1 person)

Soozelts'ai

Listen to me

Common Questions

Nts'ohde tanyalh?

When will you go?

Ndan ninli?

Who are you?

Dika sainya?

Why did you come?

Nts'e nkeyoh hainya?

What is your community?

Ndi dot'en hont'oh?

What colour is it?

Sit, Work

From Bill Poser's Location Essay: "Location is expressed differently for different types of things. For conscious human beings, the default way of expressing location is using the verb “sit”. This verb may be used even if the person is not seated. Another verb commonly used for people is “work”."

Be

From Bill Poser's Location Essay: "In contrast to English, neither of the verbs “be” and “be”, is used to express location."