Class helps keep the SmÂ’algyax language alive and well (fwd)

[phil cash cash]

Class helps keep the Sm’algyax language alive and well

By Chantal Cornwall
The Northern View
Feb 14 2007
http://www.thenorthernview.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=142&cat=23&id=831798&more=

On Tuesday nights at Roosevelt School, you’ll find adult students
eagerly learning Sm’algyax, the language of the Tsimshian. The course
is taught by elders such as Sampson Collinson, Majorie Brown and
teacher Isabelle Hill who all speak the language fluently. This program
has been offered to the community for several years, and all are warmly
welcomed to attend.

The students are focused on this night’s lesson as Sampson explains
beautifully a traditional Ts’msyen story in Sm’algyax , a story that he
recounts with incredible ease as it seems to just roll off his tongue.
He is amazing to listen to and the students listen in respectful
silence and appreciation. Isabelle Hill quickly jots some of the words
on the chalkboard that Sampson wants the students to learn and remember
for next class. Suunt – summer, maay – berry, hoon – fish, are among
many of the words. The students are then asked to repeat them several
times, and when he is satisfied, Sampson goes onto the next one.
Isabelle Hill also teaches the class with ease, under the watchful eye
of Majorie Brown. Throughout the night, the students will also refer to
their thick English and Sm’algyax dictionaries.

Their reasons for taking the course vary, but for many of these
students, dedicating a few hours on a Tuesday night to learn their
language is very important. For some, like Glen Reece, who has attended
Sm’algyax classes for the past five years, their grandparents or parents
spoke the language, and they would like to participate in conversations.
For others, learning Sm’algyax is an important step in the commitment to
keeping their language as well as their culture alive. Elder Sampson
Collison feels there is a danger of losing the language, as there are
not many people left who speak it fluently. He also stated that they
are trying very hard to bring their language back, and he stressed that
knowing the language is an important part of knowing the history of the
Ts’msyen.

Attending the classes allows the students to learn how to write, to
read, to pronounce and speak Sm’algyax. Sm’algyax has over 52 sounds
and the letter A, for example, has about eight different sounds.
Certain letters are not used like B, C, F, J, Q, R and V. Pronunciation
is very important and requires a lot of skill and practice, otherwise
words can be completely misinterpreted.

Debbie Leighton-Stephens, District Principal with the First Nations
Education Services in Prince Rupert and part of Wap’Sigatgyet (House of
Building Strength), stated that students in grade five to grade 12 have
been offered Sm’algyax for the last 10 years. Students in outlying
villages have been offered Sm’algyax for about 25 years. Students at
Roosevelt and Conrad kindergarten all-day programs have up to 45
minutes of Sm’algyax per day.

First Nations Education Services works closely with School District 52
and provides resources that include learning guide and CD’s for the
students. They develop successful curriculums as well as offer the
popular role model program. School District 52 has a very diverse and
multi-cultural student body, half of which are of First Nations
ancestry. Leighton-Stephens feels that offering Sm’algyax to students
offers many of them self-esteem, confidence and a feeling of knowing
who they are.