maskosis
In Cree, the phrase for "little bear" is maskosis.
maskosis refers to a small bear or a young bear.
Did you know?
- In certain Cree traditions, referring to a bear by its common name can be seen as too direct, and specific variations are used to show respect to the animal's spirit.
- The word maskosis is part of a polysynthetic structure, meaning in long-form speech, a single word can actually represent an entire English sentence describing the bear's actions.
- The suffix used in maskosis to denote 'smallness' is often the same one used to create terms of endearment for human beings in Cree culture.
Example conversation
Two people are walking in the woods and spot a cub.
- AWâpamâ maskosis!Wapama maskosis!Look at the little bear!
- BIyi, mîyâw maskosis.Iyi, miyaw maskosis.Yes, the little bear is cute.
- AOto maskosis kî-kîhîsi.Oto maskosis ki-kihisi.The little bear is playing over there.
- BKî-wâpamâ maskosis kâ-nîpamâ.Ki-wapama maskosis ka-nipama.I saw the little bear sleeping.
