Dictionary of Modern Lakota

by Edward Starr

Like all languages, Lakota is evolving to include new words. The White man, through industry, is making many things for which there are no traditional Lakota words. Native Lakota speakers are extending the language to include such items as "computer" (wounspe omanaye), "CD player" (hoingoyapi cik'ala), "credit card" (ikazo kansu) and many others. Over 800 modern words are presented.

Note that this would be a poor choice as your only Lakota dictionary because it only includes modern words and does not discuss sounds, sentence structure, etc. We would suggest the Everyday Lakota Dictionary or the Lakota-English Dictionary to start with. However, Dictionary of Modern Lakota is an excellent addition to other Lakota dictionaries and brings them into the 1990's.

133 pp — ©1994