Kitanitsinohsinoowao'pa
The English phrase goodbye is translated into Blackfoot as Kitanitsinohsinoowao'pa.
Kitanitsinohsinoowao'pa is used as a farewell when parting from someone.
Meaning: farewell (intj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Piikani (Peigan) dialect of Blackfoot, a common way to say goodbye is Iipissiyo.
Did you know?
- Because Blackfoot is a polysynthetic language, a single farewell word can embed the identity of the speaker, the listener and the specific nature of their bond.
- The distinction between 'animate' and 'inanimate' means a speaker would use a different linguistic structure to say goodbye to a human than to a spirit or animal.
- While English 'goodbye' is a contraction of 'God be with ye', many Blackfoot farewells are tied to the specific physical state or direction of the person leaving.
