ISKUM DELATE IKTA or Get real

[Christopher Schindler]

Orthography & standardization always seem to be topics that stimulate
lots of activity on the Chinook list.  Just when you think the matter
has been laid to rest for good, it comes back.  It's like a ritual.
Maybe all mailing lists have their rituals.  Hmm...

I've never commented on this topic so here goes:
It seems to me that if CJ of the Grande Ronde variety (or any other variety
for that matter) were to become the standard and its orthography be adopted
for all times & places, there would have to be television and radio stations
broadcasting in it 24/7, daily newspapers, magazines of all types like
"Tillicums", novels of all types, not to mention lots of speakers to devour
all this.  It also might be helpful to have a holy book that everyone believes
in written in whatever variety of CJ.
Instead...we all know the reality.
Grande Ronde is part of a larger trend throughout the world to preserve a part
of their cultural heritage which is very much in danger of disappearing.  That
the conscientiousness and perseverance of individuals working to do so has
been subject to criticism and they themselves have been made a part of some
vague plot to cram Grande Ronde CJ down everyone's throat seems to me just a
little
insensitive to what is really going on, not to mention unsupportive.

Alta nika klatawa,
Chris Schindler