| OJIBWEMOWIN |
| This submission of Ojibwemowin is through the Red Lake Nation Ojibwe Language/Cultural Preservation Department. It is submitted by Gwekiigaabow with permission of its author Zhaawanoowininii These Ojibwemowin lessons will be submitted on a regular basis to Red Lake Net News (rlnn.com) as a way for Red Lake Nation tribal members or others to learn more basic Ojibwemowin. Chi miigwitch! |
| Ojibwe Grammar |
| NIIN ME FIRST OR SINGULAR PERSON GIIN YOU SECOND PERSON SINGULAR WIIN HE, SHE, HIM, HER, THIRD PERSON WA'AM (animate) THIS A'AW (animate) THAT ONGOW (animate) THESE INGIW (animate) THOSE O'O (inanimate) THIS ITW (inanimate) THAT ONOW (inanimate) THESE INIW (inanimate) THOSE The words are similar, however the translation of each word is different because the length of sound in the vowel changes the meaning in the verb or noun. The vowel "e" is always long, therefore a double "ee" in the verb is not required. |
| A sound like aw indakoz I am short aa sounds like aaw indaakoz I am sick I sounds like e nita To know how ii sounds like ee Niita My brother-in-law, used by males o sounds like o onow These inanimate things oo sounds like oo Atoono he/she is building a boat e sounds like a ikwe woman The aniin questions are also in the same grammatical rule as indicated below. Awegonen gekendaman What do you know? Awegonen gekendamaan What do I know? This contrast between "I" and "you" could also be indicated by the use of emphatic pronouns in addition to the single 'a' meaning you and double 'aa' meaning I. Vowels are strongly nasalized when followed by '-ns', '-nz', '-nzh', and '-ny'. In such cases, the only purpose of the symbol 'n' is to indicate nasalization of the previous vowel. There will be a few instances where final nasal vowels occur without '-n' as a means of simplifying the spelling. A(ns) Onaagaans Little plate, cup I(ns) Ojins Little fly O(ns) Omakakoons Little box E(ns) Ikwens Little woman E(ns) Nisayenyag My older brothers E(ns) Nisaye My older brother Although one may think, what's all this/ Vowels, pronouns and whatever. However, this can be a start to a positive learning experience of Ojibwemowin. Take this lesson, study it, and start learning the first language of the Red Lake Ojibwe. Remember, Ojibwewemowin is a gift from the Creator. Any questions or comments, please call Bill May at 1-219-368-5286. I will have my office phone and office e-mail up and running in a very short while and it will be posted on rlnn.com. Chi-miigwitch |
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