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8-3 Semantic Variation in Roots and Suffixes

Apart from variation in the manifestations of lin-
guistic postulates (although not in the postulates them-
selves), there is some variation inthe meanings of roots,
suffixes, and stems across dialects. The same root, stem,
or suffix may have one meaning in translation in one dialect,
another in another; or the same meaning in translation may
be expressed by different lexical items or suffixes from one
dialect to another. As already noted, relying on transla-
tions to establish 'same' or 'different' meanings is unsafe;
identity or difference of meanings must ultimately be decided

by native speakers working within the language.

8-3.1 Noun system

8-3.11 Closed classes of noun roots

The verbalized interrogative Kawki.n.k.iri.ta.sa? has
Slightly different meanings in different dialects (see 5-
2.12). The syntactic linkers kuna.layku.ti.xa (built on the
interrogative kuna) and uka.mpisa (built on the demonstra-
tive uka) are discussed in 9-5.

The positionals chika and ch'ina have slightly
varying meanings, as do some of the temporals (see 5-2.5,

5-2.6, and 5-4).