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This site synthesizes my notes from the University of Nevada's Northern Paiute language progam, taught by the late Ralph Burns, with other sources available in the language, to organize and direct my study. The contents are arranged with my own needs in mind, 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 our class take precedence over any attested elsewhere. Pyramid Lake pronunciations are not always attested in other sources, and I try to indicate where I have noticed a divergence between Pyramid Lake and other dialects. 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 with the dialect (or the speaker's origin) indicated where possible. Representations of Paiute without a dialect indicated should generally be received as Pyramid Lake dialect.
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 for compatibility with Pyramid Lake publications and coursework.