480 APPENDIX. 



attaches, that it would be deemed the height of impropriety in a 

 female to use the masculine, and in a male to use the feminine ex- 

 pressions. 



Of this nature are the words Neeji and Nindongiuai, both signi- 

 fying my friend, but the former is appropriated to males and the 

 latter to females. A Chippewa cannot, therefore, say to a female, 

 my friend; nor a Chippewa woman to a male, my friend. Such 

 an interchange of the terms would imply arrogance or indelicacy. 

 Nearly the whole of their interjections — and they are numerous 

 — are also thus exclusively appropriated ; and no greater breach 

 of propriety in speech could be committed, than a woman's utter- 

 ing the masculine exclamation of surprise, Ti/df or a man's de- 

 scending to the corresponding female interjection, N^ydf 



The word Neenimoshai, my cousin, on the contrary, can only 

 be applied, like husband and wife, by a male to a female, or a 

 female to a male. If a male wishes to express this relation of a 

 male, the term is Neetowis ; and the corresponding female term 

 Neen dongivooshai. 



The terms for uncle and aunt are also of a twofold character, 

 though not restricted like the preceding in their use. Neemishomai, 

 is my uncle by the father's side ; Neezhishai^ my uncle by the mo- 

 ther's side. Neezigwoos^ is my paternal aunt; Neeivishcd, my ma- 

 ternal aunt. 



There are also exclusive words to designate elder brother and 

 younger brother; but, what would not be expected after the fore- 

 going examples, they are indiscriminately applied to younger 

 brothers and sisters. Neesgai, is my elder brother, and neemissai, 

 my elder sister. Neeshemai, my younger brother or younger sis- 

 ter, and may be applied to any brother or sister except the eldest. 



The number of words to which the idea of sex is attached, in 

 the usual acceptation, is limited. The following may be enu- 

 merated. 



MASCULINE. FEMININE. 



Inm''i, A man. Ekwai'', A Tvoman. 



Kwee'wizais, A boy. Ekwa'zais, A girl. 



Oskinabwai, A young man. Oskineegakwai, A young woman. 



Akiwaizi, An old man. Miudimo^ed, An old woman. 



Nosai, My father. Nin Gali, My mother. 



Ningwisis, My son. Nin danis, My daughter. 



Ni ningwun, My son-in-law. Nis sim, My daughter-in-law. 



