Main Page
Welcome to my notes from the University of Nevada's Northern Paiute language progam, taught by Ralph Burns! I organized this site for personal reference, and it describes things in a way useful to my own study, but I hope that other students of the language may find it helpful as well.
Scope
The course described in these pages teaches the Pyramid Lake dialect, and pronunciations given in class take precedence over any attested elsewhere. Supplementary notes often describe other dialects, and in those cases I try to make clear which they are. Grammar pages may also include examples from outside of class, which will be separated from course material. Representations of Paiute not otherwise indicated should describe Pyramid Lake pronunciation and usage.
Types of material
Written standards
Pyramid Lake uses the Wycliffe writing system, which is designed to resemble English orthography. For my own convenience, I use an orthography closer to that found in the Northern Paiute-Bannock Dictionary. Wycliffe representations are also provided (usually) for compatibility with Pyramid Lake publications and coursework.