Anishinaabemowin gichi-bakaanad, gichi-zanagad. Mii-zhigwa bangi etago ingikendan, aanawi nin-ga-gikinawaabam.
Ojibwe language is very different, very difficult. Right now I know very little, but I will learn.
In the 18 days since I started, I've completed 6 lessons on the Pimsleur CD's. Last week I bought the books "Daga Anishinaabemodaa" and the "Concise Dictionary of Minnesota Ojibwe" I mentioned in the last post. Because I've been working with the CD's, the first section in the text on pronunciation went very quickly, as did the first vocabulary and phrases section. By the end of February I will have finished the 4 remaining lessons on the CD's, and 5 or 6 lessons in the textbook. I should then be ready then to speak halting Ojibwe with my neighbors here in the Bemidji area. A little slower than I had planned but, as with other languages, I hope to soon hit an "Aha!" moment.
As always, comments, criticisms or questions are welcome. Click on "comments" below, or send me an email at bemidjidavid@gmail.com.
I've also gone through the Pimsleur course. It's an OK course, but definitely needs to be supplemented with something else.
ReplyDeleteThere are a few resources out on the internet - the People's dictionary, as you've discovered is great. I also consult http://weshki.atwebpages.com/ fairly often, as well as http://anishinaabemodaa.com/lessons - their grammar pro section is pretty good.
Have you considered getting another of Anton Treuer's books called "Living Our Language: Ojibwe Tales & Oral Histories". It's pretty good in that all of the tales are written in both Ojibwe and English. I'm slowly starting with that book now and am liking it.
Thank you for your suggestions. After reviewing some excerpts from "Living our Language" by Treuer in Amazon, I went to our local college bookstore and bought a copy. I also looked at your website, indoojibwem.blogspot.com. Your notes on Pimsleur are an excellent quick review, and I plan to use it as such. I also plan to refer to it in my next Ojibwe posting. Migwech nibowaa.
ReplyDeleteBoozhoo David and Rick, Also you might like reading Oshkaabewis Journal edited by Anton Treuer. It is a journal of elder's stories, it comes with audio tapes if you subscribe. the old journals are available online here: http://www.bemidjistate.edu/airc/oshkaabewis/issues/
ReplyDeleteHope this helps!
mi iw,
bamapii gi waabamin
Melanie