Question

In “There Is No Word for Goodbye,” what is the meaning of “Sokoya” in Alaskan Athabaskan?

Answer 1

In the Tall Mountain's poem There is No Word for Goodbye, the word Sokoya translates to Aunt which your mother's sister. The author in this poem is then showing a young woman who is afraid of losing her aunt. She asks what the word 'good-bye' is in their native language. She is told, however, by her aunt that they do not believe in good-byes instead, they say Tlaa which means see you.