Magnetic Pull on the Heart,
Draws you unto Me,
Without a Compass.
Magnetic Pull on the Heart
Tag Archives: #Language
The Ojibwe Language
https://ciel.utsc.utoronto.ca/ojibwe-textbook/lesson/1?dialect=southwestern
Source: Ethnologue
Written Ojibwe
In about 1830 James Evans, a Wesleyan missionary, devised a way to write the Ojibwe language of Rice Lake with the Latin alphabet. His goal was to produce a dictionary of Ojibwe to help him to learn the language better, and to help him teach English to the Ojibwe people.
In about 1840, while working at Norway House in Hudson’s Bay, Evans invented a syllabic script for the Ojibwe language, based partly on Pitman shorthand, which had been published in 1837. It is thought that his idea to create a syllabic script was based on the Cherokee script.
Evans’ syllabary for Ojibwe consisted of just nine symbols, each of which could be written in four different orientations to indicate different vowels. This was sufficient to write Ojibwe. Evans translated parts of the Bible and other religious works into Ojibwe, and later Cree, and printed them using type carved from wood, or made from melted-down linings of tea chests.
Evans later adapted it to write Cree. The script proved popular with Ojibwe and Cree speakers, and within about 10 years, many of them had learnt to read and write it, learning mainly from family or friends. As paper was scarce at the time, they wrote on birch bark with soot from burnt sticks, or carved messages in wood, and nicknamed James Evans ‘The man who made birch bark talk’.
The Ojibwe script continued to be widely used until the 1950s and 1960s, when the integration policies of Department of Indian and Northern Affairs led to a decline in use to the script among Ojibwe children taught to write in the Roman alphabet.
Main source: Murdoch, John Stewart, Syllabics: A Successful Educational Innovation (University of Manitoba, 1981).
Notable features of the Ojibwe syllabary
- Type of writing system: Syllabary
- Writing direction: left to right in horizontal lines
- Used to write: Ojibwe (Anishinaabemowin / ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᒧᐎᓐ)
- Each sign can be written facing four different directions which indicate the vowel attached to it
- The finals are used to write stand-alone consonants
- There are considerable variations in the way the symbols are written
VAI verbs – Grammar Structure
Ojibwe is a language of verbs. Most of the information in a sentence is carried by verbs, and verbs also tend to carry out functions that are covered by other parts of speech in other languages. For example, Nimbakade – I am hungry. This is a verb. Ojibwe doesn’t really have adjectives. To express that someone or something is in a given state or has a certain property, you almost always use a verb.
Traditional analysis of the grammar of Ojibwe (and related languages) suggests that there are four major categories of verbs in the language. Each category has its own set of prefixes and suffixes. It adds up to a lot to memorize, but don’t worry, we will take you through it step by step, one lesson at a time.
To understand the four categories, it helps to know that Ojibwe nouns come in two kinds, or “genders.” These genders are not male and female as you might be familiar with in certain European languages, but rather animate and inanimate. Animate generally refers to living things and people, while inanimate refers to non-living objects. However, there are many exceptions. For example, in many dialects, the word for rock is animate. Some speakers of the language attribute spiritual significance to this, and some don’t. In this course, we won’t get too much into the philosophy, but we will teach this simply as a property of the language. It is similar to how in Spanish “table” is feminine but “book” is masculine. As you learn Ojibwe nouns, you will have to memorize whether they are animate or inanimate. As you’ll see, this distinction also affects what verbs you can use with different nouns. We’ll talk much more about this in time.
PRONOUNS:
These pronouns are fairly equivalent to their English translations, but they actually aren’t used that much in Ojibwe in ordinary conversation. This is because verbs take prefixes to indicate 1st 2nd and 3rd person, so you don’t need to add a pronoun on top of that. Here are the verb forms with prefixes:
| bare pronoun | verb prefix | full verb | translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| niin | nim- | nimbakade | I am hungry. |
| giin | gi- | gibakade | You are hungry. |
| wiin | —– | bakade | S/he is hungry. |
VERBS EXAMPLES:
Here are two more examples. The dictionary forms for these verbs are maajaa and nibaa. Note that these are also the third-person singular forms (this only applies to VAI verbs – the other verb classes have their own dictionary forms, again the most minimal forms with no prefixes or suffixes).
| bare pronoun | full verb | translation |
|---|---|---|
| niin | nimaajaa | I leave |
| giin | gimaajaa | you leave |
| wiin | maajaa | s/he leaves |
| niin | ninibaa | I sleep |
| giin | ginibaa | you sleep |
| wiin | nibaa | s/he sleeps |
| niin | ningiishkaabaagwe | I am thirsty |
| giin | gigiishkaabaagwe | you are thirsty |
| wiin | giishkaabaagwe | s/he is thirsty |
PREVERBS:
Finally, the preverbs in this lesson. A preverb is a kind of prefix that comes before the main verb, modifying its meaning. Here we use wii-, which is a kind of future tense marker. OPD labels it as pv tns, a preverb of tense. You use this when indicating that someone will probably do something, that they want to do something or are volunteering to do it, like when you say “I’ll get it” when the house phone rings. It is less definite than the other future tense marker ga, which indicates more certainty that something will happen – as in giga-waabamin. The hyphen at the end of wii- reminds you that it comes before the verb, and it is common to use that hyphen in writing but not always. The preverb comes before the main verb, but after the prefix indicating person. So we have:
Grammatical rule: For VAI verbs ending in -o or -i, that final short vowel is deleted for the first-person niin and second-person singular giin forms, but it remains for third person wiin. We will illustrate this for two VAI verbs whose citation forms are the third person singular: wiisini and giigido. The first-person prefix for verbs starting in g is nin-. So we have:
PARTICLES:
Particles are little words that fulfill specific grammatical functions. Again, the OPD distinguishes many different kinds, and we will tell you the part of speech as listed in the OPD, but we will not delve deeply into the meaning of those categories. For now, we will discuss na and enya’, both of which are classified as pc disc, or discourse particles.
Na is an important word that marks yes/no questions. To turn a statement into a question, you simply add na as the second word of the sentence. It may also be ina, if following a hard pronounced consonant. So we have:
| Gibakade. | You are hungry. |
| Gibakade na? | Are you hungry? |
| Niwii-wiisin omaa. | I want to eat here. |
| Giwii-wiisin na omaa? | Do you want to eat here? |
Merrriam Webster – Dictionary
GAMES AND QUIZZES
WORD OF THE DAY
GRAMMAR
SLANG
WORD FINDER
NEWSLETTERS
MERRIAM – WEBSTER APP LINK
What Did the Old gaelic Language sound Like
Am Learning about different Languages – including Gaelic Spelling – since it seems to be unknown and a bit Aracheaic – as it was repressed under the Crown for hundreds of years; @Language revival; similar history with native Languages in North America; like Ojbwe, cree and the Like – Kids used to be forbidden to speak their own language at school;
IRISH LANGUAGE OVERVIEW
The query “irish officially recognized language 19” does not correspond to a single factual event, but the year 1922 is significant as it was the year the first Irish Constitution was enacted, which established Irish as a “national language” and a “first official language”. This status was reaffirmed in the 1937 Constitution and has been maintained in the Republic of Ireland since.
KEY POINTS:
1922:The first Irish Constitution recognized the Irish language as the “national language” and a “first official language”.
Status:Irish remains the national and first official language of the Republic of Ireland. English is recognized as the second official language.
Official Languages Act (2003):This legislation further solidified the status of the Irish language, requiring public bodies to provide services in Irish.
European Union:Irish was made an official language of the EU in 2007 and gained full working language status in 2022.
IRISH/ GAELIC – WIKEPEDIA ARTICLE
Irish (Standard Irish: Gaeilge), also known as Irish Gaelic or simply Gaelic (/ˈɡeɪlɪk/ ⓘ GAY-lik),[4][5][4][6][7][8][9] is a Celtic language of the Indo-European language family that belongs to the Goidelic languages and further to Insular Celtic, and is indigenous to the island of Ireland.[10] It was the majority of the population’s first language until the 19th century, when English gradually became dominant, particularly in the last decades of the century, in what is sometimes characterised as a result of linguistic imperialism. (wkepedia)
Primitive Irish
Written Irish is first attested in Ogham inscriptions from the 4th century AD,[25] a stage of the language known as Primitive Irish. These writings have been found throughout Ireland and the west coast of Great Britain.
Old Irish
Primitive Irish underwent a change into Old Irish through the 5th century. Old Irish, dating from the 6th century, used the Latin alphabet and is attested primarily in marginalia to Latin manuscripts. During this time, the Irish language absorbed some Latin words, some via Old Welsh, including ecclesiastical terms: examples are easpag (bishop) from episcopus, and Domhnach (Sunday, from dominica).
Middle Irish
By the 10th century, Old Irish had evolved into Middle Irish, which was spoken throughout Ireland, the Isle of Man and parts of Scotland. It is the language of a large corpus of literature, including the Ulster Cycle. From the 12th century, Middle Irish began to evolve into modern Irish in Ireland, Scottish Gaelic in Scotland, and Manx on the Isle of Man.
Early Modern Irish
Early Modern Irish, dating from the 13th century, was the basis of the literary language of both Ireland and Gaelic-speaking Scotland.
Modern Irish
Modern Irish, sometimes called Late Modern Irish, as attested in the work of such writers as Geoffrey Keating, is said to date from the 17th century, and was the medium of popular literature from that time on.[26][27]
Decline
From the 18th century on, the language lost ground in the east of the country. The reasons behind this shift were complex but came down to a number of factors:
- Discouragement of its use by the Anglo-Irish administration.
- The Catholic Church‘s support of English over Irish.
- The spread of bilingualism from the 1750s onwards.[28]
Northern Ireland
Main article: Irish language in Northern Ireland
Before the partition of Ireland in 1921, Irish was recognised as a school subject and as “Celtic” in some third level institutions. Between 1921 and 1972, government in Northern Ireland was devolved. During those years, the political party holding power in the Stormont Parliament, the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP), was hostile to the language as it was almost exclusively used by nationalists.[71] In broadcasting, reporting minority cultural issues was prohibited and Irish was excluded from radio and television for almost the first fifty years of the devolved government.[72]
After the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, Irish in Northern Ireland gradually gained a degree of formal recognition from the United Kingdom.[73] Then, in 2003, the British government ratified the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages with respect to the use of Irish in Northern Ireland. In the 2006 St Andrews Agreement, the British government promised to enact legislation to promote the language[74] and in 2022 it approved legislation to recognise Irish as an official language alongside English. The bill received royal assent on 6 December 2022.[2]
The status of Irish has often been used as a bargaining chip during government formation in Northern Ireland, prompting protests from organisations and groups such as An Dream Dearg.[75]
IRISH, LANGUAGE, HISTORY, REPRESSION, SOUNDS;
LANGUAGE REPRESSION IN EX SOVIET UNION – USSR
The USSR significantly repressed local languages through deliberate language policies that promoted Russification and Cyrillicization, especially in the late 1930s, to foster political unity and eliminate nationalist sentiments. Early efforts included shifting away from Arabic and Latin scripts to Cyrillic for Turkic and other languages, severing cultural ties and enhancing control. Later policies mandated Russian as a compulsory school subject, suppressed local media and publications, and purged non-Russian national elites accused of fostering division.
Early Soviet Period (Post-1917):
- “Korenizatsiia” (Indigenization):Initially, the Soviet government promoted some national languages and scripts (e.g., Latin for Turkic languages) to foster support and identity among ethnic groups, a policy known as korenizatsiia.
- Break from Religious Scripts:This included abolishing the Arabic script in the Caucasus and Central Asia, designed to distance Muslim populations from their religious heritage.
- Shift Towards Russification and Cyrillicization (Late 1930s Onward): Mandatory Cyrillicization:By 1939–1940, the policy reversed, mandating Cyrillic for languages like Tatar, Kazakh, Uzbek, and Azerbaijani, thereby increasing assimilation with Russian.
- Political Motivation:This change was driven by a desire to build a unified Soviet state, counter perceived threats from nationalist movements, and solidify control.
- Purge of National Elites:Local leaders who championed their languages and cultures were purged between 1933 and 1938, with accusations that they were agents of foreign powers aiming to dismember the USSR.
Russification in Education and Culture:
- Russian Language Education:Russian became compulsory in all Soviet schools, reflecting its dominance in administration, politics, and commerce.
- Suppression of Media:The state tightly controlled printing presses and typewriters to prevent the spread of unauthorized publications in non-Russian languages.
- Prohibition of “Samizdat”:The illegal circulation of literature and texts outside official channels (samizdat) was severely suppressed.
Long-Term Consequences:
Decline of Non-Russian Languages:The policies led to a decline in the use of many native languages, particularly among younger generations, and a widespread adoption of Russian as a second language.
- Late Soviet Period Nuances:Despite these efforts, in the final decades of the USSR, non-Russian languages continued to thrive for their native speakers, coexisting with the almost universal use of Russian in public life, though there were attempts in the late 1970s to remove native languages from official status in some republics, which led to protests.
SOVIET UNION – LANGUAGE SUPPRESSION
CANADA – INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES – SUPPRESSION – INDIAN ACT
Language repression in Canada involved colonial policies like the Indian Act and the residential school system, which forcibly prohibited Indigenous languages and punished children for speaking them, leading to widespread cultural loss and intergenerational trauma. This systemic suppression aimed to assimilate Indigenous peoples into Canadian society, resulting in the endangerment and potential extinction of many Indigenous languages today. Efforts to counter this legacy include the Indigenous Languages Act of 2019, funding for revitalization programs, and community-led initiatives to restore pride and pass languages to future generations.
The Historical Context of Language Repression
Residential Schools:A primary tool of assimilation was the residential school system, which removed Indigenous children from their families and communities.
Prohibition and Punishment:Students were forbidden to speak their mother tongues and faced severe punishment for doing so.
Cultural Genocide:This was a deliberate attempt to destroy Indigenous cultures by silencing their languages, which is a form of cultural genocide.
Indian Act:This legislation and associated colonial policies further reinforced the ban on Indigenous languages and traditions, contributing to their decline.
IMPACT OF LANGUAGE REPRESSION
- Endangered Languages:The systemic repression has led to a crisis where many of the original sixty-plus Indigenous languages are now endangered or at risk of extinction.
- Intergenerational Trauma:The fear of punishment, the loss of fluency, and the shame associated with not being able to speak one’s language has contributed to significant intergenerational trauma and negative health outcomes.
- Cultural Loss:Many words, traditions, and knowledge systems embedded in Indigenous languages have been lost or silenced.
Revitalization and Reclamation Efforts
REVITALIZATION AND RECLAMATION EFFORTS:
Indigenous Languages Act:In 2019, Canada passed the Indigenous Languages Act to support the preservation, revitalization, and strengthening of Indigenous languages.
Funding and Resources: Government funding and community-led initiatives provide resources for language programs, such as immersion schools, educational materials, and digital resources.
Community Involvement: Elders, language speakers, educators, and communities are actively working to revitalize languages through “language nests,” classrooms, and online platforms.
Promoting Pride and Healing: These efforts aim to restore cultural pride, rebuild self-esteem, and ease the intergenerational trauma caused by past policie
Irish – “I Miss You”
In the Irish language, instead of saying “I miss you” we say “braithim uaim thú” which literally means I feel you away from me. (eg. You took a part of Me – with your Leaving);
In the Irish language, instead of saying “I miss you” we say “braithim uaim thú” which literally means I feel you away from me.
1. Mo Anam Cara (Mu On-um Kara)
This short phrase isn’t perfect Irish, but it builds on the idea of an Anam Cara, a “soul friend” and roughly translates as “My Soul Mate” or “My Soul Friend.”
The ancient Celts believed in a soul that radiated about the body. When two individuals formed a deep bond, they believed their souls would mingle and each person could be said to have found their Anam cara, or “soul friend.” It is this beautiful phrase that inspired our Mo Anam Cara jewelry and is a popular choice for engravings too!
2. A chuisle mo chroí (Ah Kooish-la mu kree) or Mo chuisle (Mu Kooish-la)
The literal translation of a chuisle mo chroí is “the pulse of my heart” or “my pulse.” This might be a little anatomical for some. But anyone who has felt their heart race at the sight of their loved one is sure to identify with the sentiment.
3. Grá Geal Mo Chroí (Graw gee-yal mu kree)
Translated as “shining” or “bright love of my heart” this is a beautiful phrase with a wonderful lightness that eloquently captures the wonderful warm feeling of being in love. Perhaps as a result, it pops up in several Irish love songs and ballads with records back to 1855.
4. Is tú mo ghrá (Iss too mu graw) or “Mo Ghrá thú” (muh graw hoo)
“You are my love,” or is tú mo ghrá, is probably the closest we come to saying “I love you” in Irish.
5. Grá go Deo (graw gu djo)
Translated as “love forever” or ” forever love” this phrase emphasises eternity, an important theme in Celtic culture, represented by the unbroken form of Celtic and Trinity Knots.
6. Tá mo chroí istigh ionat (Taw mu kree iss-chig un-it)
Another phrase that might be a little anatomical for some, it roughly translates as “my heart is in you.” We see this phrase as going some way toward capturing the sense of the selflessness of love. It can be used for a romantic relationship but also works equally well used as a phrase for a parents love for a child.
7. Is tú mo stóirín (Iss too mu stor-een)
This translates as “You are my (little) sweetheart”. The “-ín” at the end of Stóirín makes the word stór (sweetheart) diminutive. But rather than it being a cutesy ‘baby-speak’ it makes the term even more affectionate.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CLSAceK2G/– with Staurt Mackey – In the Irish language, instead of saying “I miss you” we say “braithim uaim thú” which literally means I feel you away from me.
#Irish #language #Love #Phrases
HAMLET – TO BE OR NOT TO BE
To be, or not to be, that is the question:
Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles
And by opposing end them. To die — to sleep,
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to: ’tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish’d. To die, to sleep;
To sleep, perchance to dream — ay, there’s the rub:
For in that sleep of death what dreams may come,
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause — there’s the respect
That makes calamity of so long life.
For who would bear the whips and scorns of time,
Th’oppressor’s wrong, the proud man’s contumely,
The pangs of dispriz’d love, the law’s delay,
The insolence of office, and the spurns
That patient merit of th’unworthy takes,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin? Who would fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a weary life,
But that the dread of something after death,
The undiscovere’d country, from whose bourn
No traveller returns, puzzles the will,
And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?
Thus conscience doth make cowards of us all,
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great pith and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry
And lose the name of action.
El Nour Academy
#Qur’an for Kids; #Arabic language for Kids; #Kids Islamic Course; English for Beginners; #Nourani Qaeda (Arabic Alphabets and some Pronounciation); Qur’an for Adults, Kitab at Tawheed; #Tajweed;
info@elnouracademy.com; +13435538800 phone number Canada;
bismillahschool.net 