1. That quality of the noun, which, in the shape of an inflection, denotes the relative situation of the object, by the contiguous position of some accessory object, is expressed in the English language, by the prepositions in, into, at, or on. In the Indian they are denoted by an inflection. Thus the phrase, In the box, is rendered in the Indian by one word, mukukoong. Of this word, mukuk, simply, is box. The termination oong, denoting the locality, not of the box, but of the object sought after. The expression appears to be precise, although there is no definite article in the language.
The substantive takes this form, most commonly, after a question has been put, as, Anindl ni môkoman-ais? where is my penknife? Mukukoong, (in the box,) addôpowin-ing, (on the table,) are definite replies to this question. But the form is not restricted to this relation. Chimân-ing n’guh pôz, I shall embark in the canoe; wakyigun n’guh izhâ, I shall go into the house, are perfectly correct, though somewhat formal expressions, when the canoe or the house are present to the speaker’s view.
The meaning of these inflections has been restricted to in, into, at, and on. But they are the more appropriate forms of expressing the three first senses, there being other modes beside these of expressing the preposition on. These modes consist in the use of prepositions and will be explained under that head. The choice of the one, or the other, is, however, with the speaker. Generally, the inflection is employed, when there is some circumstance or condition of the noun, either concealed, or not fully apparent. Thus, Muzzinyigun-ing, is the appropriate term for in the book, and may also be used to signify on the book. But if it is meant only to signify on the book, something visible being referred to, the preposition ogidj would be used, that word indicating with certainty on, and never in. Wakyigun-ing indicates with clearness, in the house; but if it is necessary to say on the house, and it be meant at the same time to exclude any reference to the interior, the expression would be changed to ogidj wakyigun.
It will be proper further to remark, in this place, in the way of limitation, that there is also a separate preposition signifying in. It is pinj. But the use of this word does not, in all cases, supersede the necessity of inflecting the noun. Thus the expression pindigain, is literally walk in, or enter. But if it is intended to say, walk in the house, the local, and not the simple form of house must be used; and the expression is—Pindigain waky´igun-ing, Enter in the house,—the verbal form which this preposition pinj puts on, having no allusion to the act of walking, but merely implying position.
The local inflection, which in the above examples, is ing and oong, is further changed to aing and eeng, as the ear may direct—changes which are governed chiefly by the terminal vowel of the noun. Examples will best supply the rule, as well as the exceptions to it.
Simple form. | Local form. | ||
a. First inflection in aing. | |||
| Ishkodai | Fire | Ishkod-aing | In, &c. the fire. |
| Muskodai | Prairie | Muskod-aing | In, &c. the prairie. |
| Mukkuddai | Powder | Mukkud-aing | In, &c. the powder. |
| Pimmedai | Grease | Pimmid-aing | In, &c. the grease. |
e. Second inflection in eeng.[26] | |||
| Seebi | River | Seeb-eeng | In, &c. the river. |
| Neebi | Water | Neeb-eeng | In, &c. the water. |
| Miskwi | Blood | Miskw-eeng | In, &c. the blood. |
| Unneeb | Elm | Unneeb-eeng | In, &c. the elm. |
i. Third inflection in ing. | |||
| Kôn | Snow | Kôn-ing | In, &c. the snow. |
| Min | Berry | Meen-ing | In, &c. the berry. |
| Chimân | Canoe | Chimân-ing | In, &c. the canoe. |
| Muzziny´egun | Book | Muzziny´egun-ing | In, &c. the book. |
o. Fourth inflection in oong. | |||
| Azhibik | Rock | Azhibik-oong | In, &c. the rock. |
| Gizhig | Sky | Gizhig-oong | In, &c. the sky. |
| Kimmiwun | Rain | Kimmiwun-oong | In, &c. the rain. |
| Akkik | Kettle | Akkik-oong | In, &c. the kettle. |
| Throw it in the fire. | |||
| 1. Puggidôn ishkod-aing. | |||
| Go into the prairie. | |||
| 2. Muskôdaing izhân. | |||
| He is in the elm. | |||
| 3. Unneeb-eeng iâ. | |||
| It is on the water. | |||
| 4. Nib-eeng attai. | |||
| Put it on the table. | |||
| 5. Addôpôwin-ing attôn. | |||
| Look in the book. | |||
| 6. Enâbin muzziny´igun-ing. | |||
| You stand in the rain. | |||
| 7. Kimmiwun-oong ki nibow. | |||
| What have you in that box. | |||
| 8. Waigonain aitaig mukuk-oong. | |||
| Put it in the kettle. | |||
| 9. Akkik-oong attôn, or Pôdawain. | |||
| My bow is not in the lodge; neither is it in the canoe, nor on the rock. | |||
| 10. Kâwin pindig iâsi ni mittigwâb; kâwiuh gyai chimân-ing; kâwin gyai âzhibik-oong. | |||
An attentive inspection of these examples will show, that the local form pertains either to such nouns of the animate class, as are in their nature inanimates, or at most possessed of vegetable life. And here another conclusion presses upon us—that where these local terminations, in all their variety, are added to the names of animated beings, when such names are the nominatives of adjectives or adjective-nouns, these words are converted into terms of qualification, indicating like, resembling, equal. Thus, if we wish to say to a boy, he is like a man, the expression is, Inin-ing izzhinâgozzi; or if to a man, he is like a bear, Mukk-oong izzhinâgozzi; or to a bear, he is like a horse, Pabaizhikogâzh-ing izzhinâgozzi. In all these expressions the word izzhi, is combined with the pronominal inflection â (or nâ) and the animate termination gozzi. And the inflection of the nominative is merely an adjective correspondence with izzhi:—a term indicative of the general qualities of persons or animated beings. Where a comparison is instituted or a resemblance pointed out between inanimate instead of animate objects, the inflection gozzi, is changed to gwud, rendering the expression, which was, in the animate form, izzhinâgozzi, in the inanimate form, izzhinâgwud.
There is another variation of the local form of the noun, in addition to those above instanced, indicative of locality in a more general sense. It is formed by ong or nong—frequent terminations in geographical names. Thus from Ojibwai, (Chippewa), is formed Ojibwainong, Place of the Chippewas. From Wamittigozhiwug, Frenchmen, is formed Wamittigozhinong, Place of Frenchmen. From Ishpatinâ hill, Ishpatinong, Place of the hill, &c. The termination ing, is also sometimes employed in this more general sense, as in the following names of places.
Monomonikâning. In the place of wild rice.
Moninggwunikâning. In the place of Sparrows
Ongwashagooshing. In the place of the fallen tree. &c.
2. The diminutive forms of the noun are indicated by ais, eas, ôs, and aus, as the final vowel of the word may require. Thus Ojibwai, a Chippewa, becomes Ojibw-ais, a little Chippewa: Iniṅ´i, a man, inin-ees, a little man: Amik, a beaver, amik-ôs, a young beaver: Ogimâ, a chief, ogim-âs, a little chief, or a chief of little authority. Further examples may be added.