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Directions

The Tanacross directional system orients space relative to the river. The basic directions consist of a constrast upstream vs. downstream and toward water vs. away from water. In addition directionals may specify movement toward or away from an area. The complete directional system is extremely complex; only a few examples are given here.

yandóg
area above, inland

Yandóg dashée' teyh tee'ah.
There's a hill up above here.

yandíi
upstream

Yandíi Tok dhihdah.
I live up in Tok.

yanadá'a
downstream

Yaadá'a Fairbanks ts'į́' tíhhaay.
I am going down that way to Fairbanks.

yaatthúg
area toward water

Yaatthúg dendîig ah'és.
Moose are walking around down by the river.

yandâaz
area across

Yandáas ts'ęy dhihdah.
I live across the river.

ya'én'
away, over there

Ya'én' ts'enh Tatl'oxt'een iin xnindeetl.
The Copper River people are coming from over there.

yaatthén'
down toward water

Yaatthén' naxtétdeetl.
They went back down that way.