wóihable
The Lakota word for 'dream' (the imaginary events seen while sleeping) is wóihable.
wóihable is a noun used to describe the mental images and events experienced during sleep.
Meaning: imaginary events seen while sleeping (noun)
Did you know?
- While English speakers say they 'had' a dream, a Lakota speaker might describe the dream as something that 'appeared' to them. This subtle shift places the dream as an external entity visiting the sleeper.
- In Lakota culture, the concept of a 'dream' is often tied to visions received during spiritual ceremonies rather than just nighttime sleep. These visions are viewed as profound communications from the spirit world.
- The Lakota language has a complex system of 'evidentiality', which means the speaker might use different markers to indicate if they saw something in a wóihable versus real life.
Examples in context
- Wóihable walaǧá.It is a dream.
Example conversation
Curtis and Rose are talking over breakfast.
- CurtisWóihable wauniyapi šunka.I had a dream last night.
- RoseHíya, wóihable tȟáwašila kȟu?Oh, was the dream strange?
- CurtisHé, tȟáwašila wóihable wauniyapi.Yes, I had a strange dream.
- RoseÍyapičha wauniyapi.Tell me about it.
