Located somewhere in Ontario up until the US border in Montana is the former home of the Ojibwe, an indigenous race with a rich history. They were known for their dialect known as the Ojibwe language and is actually one of the rarest languages one can find in the state because no one in this generation really uses it anymore. If one is interested in this ancient dialect, then here are something that one may find interesting.
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.
So for those who are interested in learning or just simply knowing about this dialect, here are a few things that one may want to know. This dialect, although to the brink of extinction, is slowly being revived already. So it is not surprising if there are some schools teaching it.
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.
So for those who are interested in learning or just simply knowing about this dialect, here are a few things that one may want to know. This dialect, although to the brink of extinction, is slowly being revived already. So it is not surprising if there are some schools teaching it.
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