• Ꮒ- + Ꮥ- becomes ᏂᏗ-

☞ The Ꮒ- prefix can indicate “next to the speaker’s point of reference in a lateral position”.

In the “Cherokee-English Dictionary”, this point of reference is called “the speaker’s position”.

In the “A Reference Grammar of Oklahoma Cherokee”, this point of reference is called “the deictic center”.

In many cases the prefix “nị-” is used to indicate “beside” or “next to”.

Assume the point of reference is in relation to the speaker unless context indicates otherwise.

Examples:

• ᎠᏗᎭ. Adiha. “He/she is saying it.”

  • ᎾᏗᎭ. Nadiha. “He/she is saying it while beside me.” Here it is understood that the “he” saying it is standing by the side of speaker who is saying “nadiha”.

• ᏆᏘᏏ ᎠᎪᏩᏘᎭ. Gwatisi agowhtiha. “Patricia sees it.”

  • ᏆᏘᏏ ᎾᎪᏩᏘᎭ. Gwatisi nagowhtiha. “Patricia sees it from beside me.” It is understood that Patricia is standing by the side of speaker who is saying “nagowhtiha”.

  • ᏣᏂ ᎤᏛᏁᎢ, “ᏆᏘᏏ ᎾᎪᏩᏘᎭ.” Jani udvhnei, “Patricia nagowhtiha.” John said, “Patricia sees it from beside me.” It is understood that Patricia is standing by the side of John, the speaker.