Telephone (705) 356-1621 ext. 2300
Fax (705) 356-1742
Fax (705) 356-1742
The original spoken language of the Mississauga First Nation community is in a critical state of erosion. If action is not taken immediately Anishinaabemowin will be lost forever to the children and the adults of Mississauga First Nation. The re-learning of Anishinaabemowin will develop confidence, language fluency, revitalization of culture, and a renewed sense of pride and accomplishment for Mississauga First Nation Community and citizens. It is vitally important to not only preserve Anishinaabemowin but promote the everyday usage by all citizens.
VOCABULARY LESSONS
Pronunciation
Although it may look somewhat intimidating, it is merely a chart of the sounds we make when we speak Anishinaabemowin. There are seven vowels sounds, four long and three short, and sixteen consonants. We do not use the “f”, “l”, “q”, “r”, “x” and “u”. When voicing the sounds we make when we speak our language, we usually combine a consonant with a vowel, so the chart gives us a guide for the majority sounds we will need to make words.
Sounds
In much the same way as the language is predominately based on Verbs, the sounds that we make are important to get to the way we sound.
“aa”
Let’s start with the “aa”. The “a” in father, guitar or art is one sound to mimic.
The “o” in lock or rotten or the “aw” sound in fawn are others that we use as examples of the sound we expect to hear when we use the vowels “aa” .
Some words that contain these sounds are:
“a”
The “u” in rudder and duck; the “ou” in rough and tough, the “a” and the “u” in the word adjust and the second “o” in colony are good examples of this sound.
Some words that contain these sounds are:
pane, always,
kina (all)
naanan, (five)
gashi (mother)
makazin (shoe)
dinmaangan (shoulder)
pabwin (chair)
gimiwan (it is raining)
aki (earth)
amik (beaver)
“ii”
The “e” in even and behind, the “ie” in relief, the “ee” in sneeze and the “ea” in beard are all examples of the sound the “ii” represents.
Some words that contain these sounds are:
“I”
Probably one of the more familiar sounds from English to Anishinaabemowin is the “I”, for example kill, lily, whisper, fish and bird are all examples of this sound.
We will hear this sound in words like:
“oo”
Again, a sound that is close or familiar, the “oo” sound is like the “o” in vote or go, elope and low.
The sound is found in words like:
“o”
This is the most difficult sound because it is close to the “a”, it is like the “oo” in moon or food, or like the “ue” in true.
Some words that contain these sounds are:
“e”
One of the most numerous sounds in our language is exemplified by the “e”. The “e” in beg, the “ea” in bear, and the “ae” in aerial.
Some words that contain these sounds are:
“aa”
Let’s start with the “aa”. The “a” in father, guitar or art is one sound to mimic.
The “o” in lock or rotten or the “aw” sound in fawn are others that we use as examples of the sound we expect to hear when we use the vowels “aa” .
Some words that contain these sounds are:
- aankwat (cloud)
- naanan (five)
- maang (loon)
- niigaan (front)
- gegaa (almost)
- naame (under)
- myaa (exactly)
- baamaa (later)
- ziitaagan (salt)
“a”
The “u” in rudder and duck; the “ou” in rough and tough, the “a” and the “u” in the word adjust and the second “o” in colony are good examples of this sound.
Some words that contain these sounds are:
pane, always,
kina (all)
naanan, (five)
gashi (mother)
makazin (shoe)
dinmaangan (shoulder)
pabwin (chair)
gimiwan (it is raining)
aki (earth)
amik (beaver)
“ii”
The “e” in even and behind, the “ie” in relief, the “ee” in sneeze and the “ea” in beard are all examples of the sound the “ii” represents.
Some words that contain these sounds are:
- miigwech (thank you)
- giizis (sun)
- miiknoot (pants)
- wiikwaan (hat)
- niiwin (four)
- miinjisan (hair)
- shkiinzhik (eye)
- wiibit (tooth)
- jiibaakwe (to cook)
- ziitaagan (salt)
- niibiish (leaf)
“I”
Probably one of the more familiar sounds from English to Anishinaabemowin is the “I”, for example kill, lily, whisper, fish and bird are all examples of this sound.
We will hear this sound in words like:
- amik (beaver)
- pichi (robin)
- mishoomis (grandfather)
- nookmis (grandmother)
- zit (foot)
- shkiinzhik (eye)
- wiibit (tooth)
- doopwin (table)
- pabwin (chair)
- noodin (wind)
“oo”
Again, a sound that is close or familiar, the “oo” sound is like the “o” in vote or go, elope and low.
The sound is found in words like:
- zookpo (it is snowing)
- noos (father)
- miiknoot (pants)
- goodaas (dress)
- dooskan (elbow)
- noogan (hip)
- doon (mouth)
- doopwin (table)
- noodin (wind)
- doodooshaaboo (milk)
- gookoosh (pig)
“o”
This is the most difficult sound because it is close to the “a”, it is like the “oo” in moon or food, or like the “ue” in true.
Some words that contain these sounds are:
- ngoding (once)
- zigos (aunt)
- kon (bone)
- nowe (cheek)
- zookpo (it is snowing)
- animosh (dog)
- ziipagot (sour)
- wiisgipigot (bitter)
- mose (to walk)
- gindaaso (to count)
“e”
One of the most numerous sounds in our language is exemplified by the “e”. The “e” in beg, the “ea” in bear, and the “ae” in aerial.
Some words that contain these sounds are:
- esban (raccoon)
- gegaa (almost)
- pane (always)
- gegpii (finally)
- eshkam (gradually more)
- ikwe (woman)
- dengwe (face)
- shkwaandem (door)
- waaskonenjigan (light)
- gzaate (it is hot)
- bmide (lard or grease)
- naabese (rooster)