For those who are familiar with American and Canadian history, they will probably be familiar with the Ojibwe people who live around Canada up to Montana and Michigan. They were known for the ancient language which was the Ojibwe language, now considered a very rare dialect because not many of the younger generation speak it. If one is interested in dialects and culture, check out these facts.
Now, just to give an idea, this race of people are also known as the Anishinaabemowin or the Ojibway. As mentioned above, they settle in various places through Canada up until the US borders. They live near the Great Lakes making that area their main settlement or home town. Their dialect is known as the Central Algonquian language, previously used by all tribes in that area.
Even though it was one of the central languages of the past, it is actually considered endangered now by Minnesota. UNESCO actually announced that it was already included in the Atlas of Worlds Languages in Danger list as it is no longer spoken by the current generation. It is the grandparents who spoke it but their children never did anymore and more so their grandchildren or great grandchildren.
Of course, there have been organizations who want to help preserve the dialect by making schools in states like Michigan and Minnesota. The whole aim of these schools is to ensure that that those who have Ojibway heritage, or those that do not for that matter, learn to read and write it. In fact, the Ojibway Peoples Dictionary was created to aid in these types of efforts.
Now, it is very interesting to note that the Dictionary makes use of a double vowel system when it comes to writing. Unlike the usual English alphabet, it is possible to see to letters combined to form one sound. One will also find that an apostrophe is found in the alphabet which actually symbolizes a stop and is done by releasing air from the glottis.
The alphabet consists of twenty four letters with a few of them not being found in the English language. To give one an idea, the letters that one can find in this alphabet are the regular letters of the alphabet and letters with the two consonants making a different sound compared to the single vowels. There is also the an aa, ee, oo, and ii which are part of the double vowel system.
Aside from the standard alphabet, there is also the nasal vowels. These are iinh, eenh, oonh, and aanh. As the name states, these are the ones that have a nasal sound when spoken.
Basically, these are some things to know about the Ojibway dialect. While it is about to be endangered, many people are trying to bring it back. This is to ensure the preservation of the culture of the people who used to live along the Great Lake area.
Now, just to give an idea, this race of people are also known as the Anishinaabemowin or the Ojibway. As mentioned above, they settle in various places through Canada up until the US borders. They live near the Great Lakes making that area their main settlement or home town. Their dialect is known as the Central Algonquian language, previously used by all tribes in that area.
Even though it was one of the central languages of the past, it is actually considered endangered now by Minnesota. UNESCO actually announced that it was already included in the Atlas of Worlds Languages in Danger list as it is no longer spoken by the current generation. It is the grandparents who spoke it but their children never did anymore and more so their grandchildren or great grandchildren.
Of course, there have been organizations who want to help preserve the dialect by making schools in states like Michigan and Minnesota. The whole aim of these schools is to ensure that that those who have Ojibway heritage, or those that do not for that matter, learn to read and write it. In fact, the Ojibway Peoples Dictionary was created to aid in these types of efforts.
Now, it is very interesting to note that the Dictionary makes use of a double vowel system when it comes to writing. Unlike the usual English alphabet, it is possible to see to letters combined to form one sound. One will also find that an apostrophe is found in the alphabet which actually symbolizes a stop and is done by releasing air from the glottis.
The alphabet consists of twenty four letters with a few of them not being found in the English language. To give one an idea, the letters that one can find in this alphabet are the regular letters of the alphabet and letters with the two consonants making a different sound compared to the single vowels. There is also the an aa, ee, oo, and ii which are part of the double vowel system.
Aside from the standard alphabet, there is also the nasal vowels. These are iinh, eenh, oonh, and aanh. As the name states, these are the ones that have a nasal sound when spoken.
Basically, these are some things to know about the Ojibway dialect. While it is about to be endangered, many people are trying to bring it back. This is to ensure the preservation of the culture of the people who used to live along the Great Lake area.
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