Oki, tsimá kitsíksíststohpa?
In Blackfoot, Oki, tsimá kitsíksíststohpa? is how you say hello how are you.
This phrase is a common greeting used to say hello and inquire about someone's well-being.
Did you know?
- The greeting Oki is not just a word for 'hello' but is a verbal signal used to draw attention or announce one's presence, much like saying 'Listen' or 'Look'.
- In Blackfoot culture, the process of greeting is often a prolonged social ritual rather than a quick exchange, where the inquiry into one's well-being is treated with significant sincerity.
- Blackfoot is a polysynthetic language, meaning a single word like tsimá kitsíksíststohpa can contain the meaning of an entire English sentence by combining several roots and affixes.
Example conversation
Jessica and Robert meet on the street.
- JessicaOki, tsimá kitsíksíststohpa?Hello, how are you?
- RobertOki, nítsííkíststohpa.Hello, I am doing well.
- JessicaOki, tsimá kitsíksíststohpa, Robert?Hello Robert, how are you really?
- RobertI am good, thank you.I am good, thank you.
