Learn Oneida

Prepausal Endings

This is a unique feature of Oneida where most, almost all, words are spoken slightly differently when the word is at the end of a sentence, or if it is the only word in a sentence. There are three kinds of prepausal endings. The last syllable is either:
  1. cut off, which may affect the pronunciation of the syllable in front
  2. replaced by a different syllable, which affects its spelling
  3. whispered
All prepausal endings are indicated with an underline on the vowel of the last syllable, as seen below. When the word is at the end of a sentence, it is said to be in its "prepausal form". Otherwise, the word is in its "medial form".

Cut-off Endings

This is the most common kind of prepausal ending. The last syllable will be cut off, which may affect the pronunciation of the preceding syllable. It may also affect where the stress (emphasis) occurs.

Replaced Syllable

This is not too common, and mostly occurs with words that end with an "L" sound. This affects the spelling of the word, too. Therefore, you will two written versions of the word, depending on where the word occurs in the sentence.

Whispered Syllables

These are commonly referred to as a "whispered ending". This is probably the least common kind of prepausal ending. The last syllable is still pronounced but it is whispered.

Examples

Tó· nikanutó·tslake̲
Wá·telu̲ʔ
To· nikú ʌtehsla·kó̲·
Ahsʌ̲
Tó· naʔtehaohsliyá·ku̲
Wá·tluʔ naʔtehaohsliyá·ku̲
Tó· naʔteyakohsliyá·ku né· saksotha̲
Wá·tluʔ niwáhsʌ wá·telu̲ʔ