As part of the 5 Year Plan for the Revitalization of the Ojibwe Language on the Grand Portage Reservation, we will be featuring a new Ojibwe word every week. We encourage you to use this word in your workday and hopefully outside of work as well. Check back periodically for new words.
These recordings are provided by Erik Martin Redix (Miskwaa anang), Ojibwe Language Coordinator, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
About Pronunciation:
Ojibwe consonants have a similar pronunciation as English.
Vowels have the following pronunciation:
vowel
sounds like
a
the "u" in sun
aa
the "a" in father
e
the "ay" in day
i
the "i" in sit
ii
the "ee" in teeth
o
the "o" in go
oo
the "oo" in tooth
This week's word: waawaatesi (firefly)
Waawaatesi
How to say "firefly" in Ojibwemowin.
Credit / Author:
Erik Martin Redix (Miskwaa anang), Ojibwe Language Coordinator, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
How to say "it is dawn" in Ojibwemowin. Adding g to the end of this word (waabang) modifies it to mean “when it dawn,” which is how we say tomorrow. Waabang – Tomorrow
Credit / Author:
Erik Martin Redix (Miskwaa anang), Ojibwe Language Coordinator, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
Week of 5/20/2024: bingoshikaa (there is an abundance of black flies)
Bingosh is the word for black fly and the suffix -ikaa means there is an abundance. Some communities and speakers use the term bingoshens, which means the same thing, the -ens suffix is just emphasizing that it a small.
Bingoshikaa
How to say "there is an abundance of black flies" in Ojibwemowin.
Credit / Author:
Erik Martin Redix (Miskwaa anang), Ojibwe Language Coordinator, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
Week of 6/3/2024: zagimekaa (there are many mosquitos)
Bingosh is the word for black fly and the suffix -ikaa means there is an abundance. Some communities and speakers use the term bingoshens, which means the same thing, the -ens suffix is just emphasizing that it a small.
Zagimekaa
How to say "there are many mosquitos" in Ojibwemowin.
Credit / Author:
Erik Martin Redix (Miskwaa anang), Ojibwe Language Coordinator, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa.
