Gekinawaabid
1 |
Ojibwemowin
Background Information |
| A.
INTRODUCTORY NOTES: The Guiness Book of World Records recognizes the Chippewa language (Ojibwemowin) as the "most complex language" in the world. Considering Chinese, Arabic and even English itself, that is saying something! To learn this beautiful, complex language, one must be willing to open the heart and mind. To open the heart is to become aware that this language is rooted in the past and has deep cultural significance that interweaves the words, grammar, syntax, and even the way that one observes the world. To open the mind is to set aside the rules and nuances of one's own language and to appreciate, respect, and understand those differences that exist in this indigenous language. |
| You will find as you progress through the levels of awareness that Ojibwemowin exhibits the connections between worlds which are seldom thought of today in western civilization. At one time of course, all languages had this unique connection with the surrounding world, but it seems that many have lost their way. Not so with Ojibwemowin. Words themselves become relationships: the moon is "the night sun," a person of mixed ancestry is "half-burnt," and a telephone is a"talking small box." Part of learning this language is understanding the connections that exist between the worlds of the seen and unseen. |
| Ojibwemowin is but one of the Anishinaabe languages spoken by the Algonquian language group. There are many other Nations within the cultural cluster that contains the Ojibwe language. Some of them are the Ottawa (Odaawaa), the Potawatomi (Boodewaadamii), the Cree (Omashkiigoo), and the Menominee (Omanoominii). |
| Since ancient times, the various Nations above could communicate with each other because of the marked similarities of pronunication and syntax. Some of the tribes shortened the sounds, had some different words, and even altered the word order, but the gist of the languages were remarkably similar. Therefore, what one learns here can be adapted to one's own situation.. |
| Each person that comes to this site brings their own reasons for learning as well as varying geographic locations, therefore, there will be differences in dialects (See the recommended books below). This site is not intended to teach Ojibwemowin in one, narrow context. Many different dialects are found within Ojibwemowin as well as the other Anishinaabe languages. There is no one right way to speak this language. You are encouraged to listen to the people with whom you are most connected. Talk to the Elders and listen to how they speak. If you are not near a reservation, then learn what you can here and then apply that knowledge when the time becomes appropriate. |
| My father, cousins, and I call the White Earth Reservation in Minnesota home, though we have not lived there for years. Frequent trips back to the Rez, keep us connected, but we do not speak Ojibwemowin where we live now as much as we would like. Feel confident that our interest here is to teach the language and at the same time to maintain its stability in a modern world. |
| Lastly, Ojibwemowin began essentially as most other indigenous languages - orally! This web site in no way is a substitute for speaking the language. Practice what you learn aloud, preferrably with others. Fine tune the pronunications according to what you hear the Elders say. |
| B. RECOMMENDED BOOKS |
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| In
Lesson 2, we will focus on the Fiero Double Vowel Othography. Ojibwemodaa!
Niin sa! |