From ABC's to UJV's

The first week of the second term over, and it bodes well for the rest of my stint here.

One of our new classes this term is syllabics, and it's already heaps o' fun. Syllabics is a Cree-specific writing system, as distinct from the "standard roman orthography" (i.e., ABC's) writing system borrowed from English.

There's quite a story behind its origins, which are disputed. Some say a non-Aboriginal priest invented it, but others hotly dispute that, saying the writing system is actually a gift from the Creator that came to a Nehiyawnapew (Cree man) in a dream. Either story dates their emergence from sometime in the 1800's.

The above representation of them includes 'L' and 'R,' although strictly speaking, the dialect I am learning doesn't have those sounds.

I will blog more about the way it works in the coming weeks. I will say here though that it is better to use a system that is meant to carry Cree sounds than try to modify SRO (English) characters to do it. I believe it confuses Cree-S-L'ers, who find it difficult when a letter takes on a much different pronunciation from its English context.

For example, a Cree 'k' on paper (e.g., masinahikan, or book) is said more like the 'g' in the English words 'gun' or 'gaga.' But when people see the 'k' they tend to say what they know, i.e., that crisp 'k' sound.

It's hard to break that association, so it may be better to introduce an entirely new one. Cree symbols stand uniquely for Cree sounds in the learner's mind. And that might even make learning the language easier for some.

ekosi,
Rick