More Wyandot Animal Names Beginning with -ts or -s
tsuˀngyatęˀah mouse
[tsoo-oo-ngyah-ten-en-ah]
ts- repetitive
-u- feminine-zoic singular patient – it
-ˀngy- possible noun root – fingers
-a- joiner vowel
-tę- possible verb root – possibly – rise up or dry
-ˀ- stative aspect
-ah diminutive aspect suffix
tsahkwaˀah[1] bear cub
[tsah-kwah-ah-ah]
tsamęhuhiˀ eagle, osprey[2]
[tsah-men-hoo-hee-ee]
skęˀkwaˀa[3] bobcat
[sken-en-kwah-ah]
[1] This word appears to add a -tsi- to a word that is cognate with the terms for bear in Cayuga (Froman et al 2002:25), Mohawk (Michelson 1973:51), Oneida (Michelson and Doxtator 2002:902), Onondaga (Woodbury 2003:1451), Tuscarora (Rudes 1997:552).
[2] As Tsawenhohi in Wendat, this was a revered chief name for several generations in the 17th and 19th centuries.
[3] For ‘wildcat’ the folk etymology developed for skęˀkwaˀa is “brave although small” (Barbeau 1960:272 #31). This is not a translation of the name, just a description of the animal.