apisīsiwēpison
The English word bat (the small flying mammal) is apisīsiwēpison in Cree.
apisīsiwēpison is used to refer to the small flying mammal.
Meaning: small flying mammal (noun)
Did you know?
- In oral traditions, names for creatures like this are often treated with specific respect, sometimes using different versions to avoid 'calling' them directly.
- Because Cree is a polysynthetic language, the word apisīsiwēpison functions more like a whole sentence describing the creature than a simple noun.
- In Cree, nouns are often categorized by whether they are animate or inanimate, and the bat is treated as an animate being.
Example conversation
Two people are looking at the night sky.
- AKīkāyak ē-onita.Kikayak e-onita.What is that thing?
- BApisīsiwēpison ē-onita.Apisisiwepison e-onita.That is a bat.
- AKīsikuta ē-kīwēwin?Kisikuta e-kiwewin?Does it fly at night?
- BĒy, apisīsiwēpison kīsikuta kīwēwin.Ey, apisisiwepison kisikuta kiwewin.Yes, a bat flies at night.
