Lottie Beck: "The Perils of Weasel" (1957)

Primary participants: Lottie Beck (speaker), William Bright (researcher)
Date: 1957
Project identifier: WB_KL-18
Publication details: William Bright, The Karok Language (1957), pp. 206-209, Text 18
Additional contributor: Erik Maier (annotator)

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Text display mode: paragraph | sentence | word | word components

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[1]	âanxus	u-thitív-anik	káruk	keechxâach	ú-krii
	weasel	3s(>3)-hear-ANC	upriver	widow.(old)	3s(>3)-live

Weasel heard that a widow lived upriver.

[2]	xás	vúra	uum	yâamach	mu-'asiktaván-'aramah
	then	Intensive	3.SG	pretty	3sPOSS-woman-child

And her female child was pretty.

[3]	vikváan	káru	ithvóon
	basket-maker	also	eager

She was a weaver, and industrious.

[4]	xás	u-xús	tîi	káan	kan-vunáyviichv-an
	then	3s(>3)-think	let...	there	1s(>3)-wander.idly-go.to

And he thought, "Let me go look around there.

[5]	íkiich	ni-máh-eesh	pa-'asiktávaan
	maybe	1s(>3)-see-FUT	the-woman

Maybe I'll see the woman."

[6]	xás	u-'uum	pa-kéevniikich	mu-krívraam
	then	3s(>3)-arrive	the-old.woman.(dimin.)	3sPOSS-house

So he arrived at the old woman's house.

[7]	u-pêer	pa-mí-'arama	ni-kvárakuk-tih
	3s(>3)-say.to	the-2sPOSS-child	1s(>3)-come.to.buy-DUR

He said, "I am coming to buy your child."

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[8]	xás	pa-kéevniikich	u-píip	víri	naa	chími	vôonfuruk-i
	then	the-old.woman.(dimin.)	3s(>3)-say	so	1sg.	soon	enter.a.house-IMPER

And the old woman said, "Well, come in.

[9]	imáan	á'	úru	i-ktávar-eesh
	tomorrow	above	egg	2s(>3)-go.get.(in.hand)-FUT

Tomorrow you will go up to get eggs.

[10]	xás	p-ee-'ípak-ahaak	xáat	pa-naní-'aramah	ihrôoha
	then	NOMZ-2s(>3)-come.back-when	may	the-1sPOSS-child	wife

And when you come back, let my child be (your) wife."

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[11]	xás	âanxus	u-píip	vaa	ník	ni-kuph-eesh
	then	weasel	3s(>3)-say	so	a.little	1s(>3)-do-FUT

And Weasel said, "I'll do that."

[12]	ta'ítam	máh'iit	yáan	vúra	u-súpaahi-tih	u-vôoruraa	pa-'ípaha
	so	morning	recently	Intensive	3s(>3)-become.day-DUR	3s(>3)-crawl.up	the-tree

So in the morning it was scarcely dawn, he climbed up the tree.

[13]	á'	ipanîich	pá-kaas	u-thrítakoo
	above	very.end	the-nest	3s(>3)-sit.on.(of.container)

Up at the top sat the nest.

[14]	âanxus	ishvirip'imsháxvu	u-páputh-tih
	weasel	pine.pitch	3s(>3)-chew-DUR

Weasel was chewing pine-gum.

[15]	ishvít	kóo	t-u-'uum
	piece	as.much.as	PERF-3s(>3)-arrive

He arrived as far as half-way (up the tree).

[16]	xás	u-kréemyah
	then	3s(>3)-blow

Then the wind blew.

[17]	vúra	vaa	u-vôoruraa-tih
	Intensive	so	3s(>3)-crawl.up-DUR

He was climbing up like that.

[18]	vaa	kích	u-pí-ti	pa-kéevniikich	yôotva	t-u-'iv	pa-nani-'íkam
	so	only	3s(>3)-say-DUR	the-old.woman.(dimin.)	hurray!	PERF-3s(>3)-die	the-1sPOSS-son-in-law

The old woman was just saying, "Hurray, he's dead, my son-in-law."

[19]	âanxus	uum	káru	pákuri	u-thiiná-tih
	weasel	3.SG	also	song	3s(>3)-have-DUR

Weasel had a song.

[20]	xás	u-pakurîihvu-tih
	then	3s(>3)-sing.songs-DUR

So he sang.

[21]	vúra	t-óo	kréemyah
	Intensive	PERF-3s(>3)	blow

The wind just blew.

[22]	xás	á'	ípan	u-'uum
	then	above	end	3s(>3)-arrive

Then he arrived up at the top.

[23]	pa-'úru	u-ktûunih
	the-egg	3s(>3)-carry.down

He took down the eggs.

---

[24]	vúrava	t-óo	kréemyah	tapas-'ikréemyah
	just	PERF-3s(>3)	blow	real-wind

There was a real wind blowing.

[25]	xás	u-xús	hûut	pá-ni-kuph-eesh
	then	3s(>3)-think	how	NOMZ-1s(>3)-do-FUT

And he thought, "What shall I do?

[26]	pa-nani-msháxvuh	mûuk	ni-'ípahoo-vish
	the-1sPOSS-gum	with.(by.means.of)	1s(>3)-go.back-FUT

I'll go back down by means of my gum."

[27]	xás	á'	ú-snaapka
	then	above	3s(>3)-put.on

So he fastened it on the top.

[28]	xás	u-stútunih
	then	3s(>3)-slide.down

And he slid down it.

[29]	xás	sú'	u-'íipma
	then	inside	3s(>3)-return

And he got down.

[30]	vúra	kári	ú-ktaam-ti	pa-'úruh
	Intensive	then	3s(>3)-hold.in.hand-DUR	the-egg

He was still carrying the eggs.

[31]	iinâak	ú-ktaamfuruk
	indoors	3s(>3)-carry.indoors.(in.hand)

He carried them indoors.

[32]	xás	u-píip	mâa	páy	pa-'úruh
	then	3s(>3)-say	look!	this	the-egg

And he said, "Here, these are your eggs.

[33]	chími	am
	soon	eat

Eat them!"

---

[34]	hínu páy	ikreemyaha'úru	p-óo-peen-ti	iktûunih-i
	surprise	eggs.of.wind	NOMZ-3s(>3)-say.to-DUR	carry.down-IMPER

There it was eggs of the wind that she told him to take down.

[35]	pa-kéevniikich	u-xú-ti	p-oo-kreemyáh-ahaak	u-thivtífunih-eesh
	the-old.woman.(dimin.)	3s(>3)-think-DUR	NOMZ-3s(>3)-blow-when	3s(>3)-blow.down-FUT

The old woman thought, "When the wind blows, it will blow him down.

[36]	hôoy	íf	âavahar	u-'ípak-eesh
	where	truly	alive	3s(>3)-come.back-FUT

He won't come back alive."

---

[37]	xás	âanxus	u-píip	pa-mí-'arama	ni-hrôohah-eesh
	then	weasel	3s(>3)-say	the-2sPOSS-child	1s(>3)-marry.a.woman-FUT

And Weasel said, "I'm going to marry your child."

---

[38]	xás	pa-kéevniikich	u-píip	sáruk	áama	ú-kuroovu-ti
	then	the-old.woman.(dimin.)	3s(>3)-say	downhill	salmon	3s(>3)-be.headed.upriver-DUR

And the old woman said, "Downhill a salmon is lying, head upstream.

[39]	vaa	chími	ithyúruripaa-n
	that	soon	pull.out-go.to

Go haul it out!"

---

[40]	âanxus	sáruk	u-'uum
	weasel	downhill	3s(>3)-arrive

Weasel went downhill.

[41]	úuth	u-tkára-tih
	out.to.water	3s(>3)-look.into.river-DUR

He looked into the river.

[42]	yée	naa	apsunxára	káan	ú-kuroovu-tih
	well	1sg.	long.snake	there	3s(>3)-be.headed.upriver-DUR

"Say, a long snake is lying there, head upstream."

(Bright: "A 'long-snake' (to use a literal translation) is a legendary serpent of giant size, called by one informant a 'boa constrictor.'")

[43]	xás	u-'árihish	pa-mu-pákurih
	then	3s(>3)-sing	the-3sPOSS-song

So he sang his song.

[44]	xás	u-'iipkúrih
	then	3s(>3)-dive

Then he dived in.

[45]	u-thyúruripaa	pa-'apsunxára
	3s(>3)-pull.out	the-long.snake

He hauled out the long snake.

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[46]	vaa	kích	u-pí-tih	pa-kéevniikich	yôotva	t-u-'ív	pa-nani-'íkam
	so	only	3s(>3)-say-DUR	the-old.woman.(dimin.)	hurray!	PERF-3s(>3)-die	the-1sPOSS-son-in-law

The old woman was just saying, "Hurray, my son-in-law is dead!"

[47]	âanxus	u-p-íkfuukraa
	weasel	3s(>3)-ITER-climb.up.from.downhill

Weasel climbed back uphill.

[48]	xás	u-hyárihish
	then	3s(>3)-stand.still

Then he stood still.

[49]	iinâak	vaa	kích	u-thítiim-ti	p-oo-pakurîihvu-ti	yôotva	t-u-'iiv'íiv	íkamish	t-u-'iiv'íiv
	indoors	so	only	3s(>3)-hear-DUR	NOMZ-3s(>3)-sing.songs-DUR	hurray!	PERF-3s(>3)-die	son-in-law.(dimin.)	PERF-3s(>3)-die

Inside he just heard her singing, "Hurray, he's dead, son-in-law is dead!"

(Bright: "tu'iiv'íiv is a distortion of the normal tu'iv 'he's dead.'")

[50]	âanxus	u-hyívchak	sâam	u-tháaniv	pa-mí-'aama
	weasel	3s(>3)-interrupt.by.shouting	little.downhill	3s(>3)-sit	the-2sPOSS-salmon

Weasel interrupted, shouting, "Your salmon is lying just down hill.

[51]	chími	am
	soon	eat

Eat it!"

---

[52]	pa-kéevniikich	u-'árihrupuk
	the-old.woman.(dimin.)	3s(>3)-rush.outdoors

The old woman jumped out.

[53]	xás	âanxus	u-pêer	pa-pu-'imáan	ív-ahaak	xáat	pa-niní-'arama	ihrôoha
	then	weasel	3s(>3)-say.to	NOMZ-NEG-tomorrow	die-when	may	the-1sPOSS-child	wife

And she told Weasel, "If you do not die tomorrow, let my child be (your) wife."

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[54]	xás	âanxus	u-píip	naa	ník	káru	ishímfir
	then	weasel	3s(>3)-say	1sg.	a.little	also	brave

And Weasel said, "I'm tough too."

[55]	ithéekxaram	âanxus	pu-'ikviit-h-ára
	all.night	weasel	NEG-sleep-NEG

Weasel did not sleep the whole night.

[56]	yáan	vúra	u-súpaahi-tih	pa-kéevniikich	ú-hyiv
	recently	Intensive	3s(>3)-become.day-DUR	the-old.woman.(dimin.)	3s(>3)-shout

It was just dawn, (and) the old woman shouted.

[57]	âanxus	u-vôonfuruk
	weasel	3s(>3)-enter.a.house

Weasel went in the house.

[58]	mâaka	kíxumnipaa-k	asimváram	t-óo	kyâa-heen	pa-keechxâach
	little.uphill	corner.of.house.pit-Locative	bed	PERF-3s(>3)	make-ANT	the-widow.(old)

In the uphill corner the widow had made a bed.

[59]	simsimvôo	kích	u-veehríshuk-va
	sword	only	3s(>3)-stick.out-PL.ACT

Nothing but swords were sticking out.

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[60]	âanxus	kun-ipêer	chími	nú-vuunv-i
	weasel	3pl(>3s)-say.to	soon	1pl(>3)-wrestle-IMPER

Weasel was told, "Let's wrestle!

[61]	pa-mâaka	ná-paathripaa-haak	xáat	vaa	kári	naní-'aramah	ihrôoha
	NOMZ-little.uphill	2s/3s>1s-throw.inland-when	may	so	then	1sPOSS-child	wife

If you throw me into (the corner) uphill, let my child be (your) wife."

[62]	xás	u-'árihish	pa-kéevniikich
	then	3s(>3)-sing	the-old.woman.(dimin.)

And the old woman sang.

[63]	p-oo-pakurîihvu-tih	u-pí-tih	âanxus	itvaratvárat
	NOMZ-3s(>3)-sing.songs-DUR	3s(>3)-say-DUR	weasel	itvaratvárat

When she sang, she said, "âanxus itvaratvárat."

[64]	âanxus	kúna	u-'árihish	keechxâach	tíiptiip	áahrishuk	keechxâach	tíiptiip	áahrishuk
	weasel	in.addition	3s(>3)-sing	widow.(old)	Woodwardia.fern	áahrishuk	widow.(old)	Woodwardia.fern	áahrishuk

Weasel sang in turn, "keechxâach tíiptiip áahrishuk, keechxâach tíiptiip áahrishuk."

(Bright: "The widow's song consists of the words âanxus 'weasel' and itvaratvárat, for which the informant knew no meaning. Weasel's song consists of keechxâach 'widow,' tíiptiip 'chain fern,' and áahrishuk, of unknown meaning.")

[65]	xás	kun-íkfuukiraa	âanxus
	then	3pl(>3s)-grab	weasel

Then Weasel was grabbed.

[66]	xáyva	âanxus	pa-keechxâach	mâaka	u-paathrípaa
	by.luck	weasel	the-widow.(old)	little.uphill	3s(>3)-throw.inland

By luck Weasel threw the widow into (the corner) uphill.

---

[67]	xás	ú-xrar	pa-keechxâach
	then	3s(>3)-weep	the-widow.(old)

Then the widow wept.

[68]	vaa	kích	u-pí-ti	itroopatíshaamni	tá	ní-ykar	pa-'ávans-as
	so	only	3s(>3)-say-DUR	nine	PERF	1s(>3)-beat	the-man-PL

She kept saying, "I killed nine men.

[69]	víri	iim	xás	îin	tá	née-ykar
	so	2sg.	then	TOPIC	PERF	2s/3s>1s-beat

Then you killed me.

[70]	xáat	pa-naní-'arama	ihrôoha
	may	the-1sPOSS-child	wife

Let my daughter be (your) wife."

[71]	xás	pa-keechxâach	u-'iv
	then	the-widow.(old)	3s(>3)-die

So the widow died.

[72]	xás	pa-mú-'arama	u-vôonfuruk
	then	the-3sPOSS-child	3s(>3)-enter.a.house

And her child came in.

[73]	pa-mú-saanva	furax-múrax
	the-3sPOSS-carry.(things)	woodpecker.head-nothing.but

Her clothes were nothing but woodpecker-heads.

[74]	âanxus	mu-hrôoha	u-pípasip
	weasel	3sPOSS-wife	3s(>3)-take.(person).home

Weasel took her away (as) his wife.