Ojibwe Dictionary Online Project

Sun Sep 16 13:58:49 UTC 2007

Thanks for that reply!
I agree totally that the lack of a unified government is not necessarily and impedement to a standard orthography, only that the existence of many different governing bodies can impede it. 

Don Osborn <dzo at BISHARAT.NET> wrote:        v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}                     Hello all, 

  I was working on a reply to Kevin's message this morning and now that I'm coming back to it note other replies from Mia, Joseph, MJ, and Haley. I will finish what I started and insert other comments. I will say up front though that I am *really* surprised at the suggestion that standardization is an impediment to language use (if I am understanding Mia and MJ correctly).

  As a disclaimer, I'm writing as a non-linguist with more of a background on Africa - nevertheless there are some interesting parallels and some questions in common.

  The way Kevin describes the situation of Ojibwe crossing boundaries is *exactly* what is faced for so many languages in Africa. The borders are not at issue, but how to harmonize if not to unify orthographies has been a subject of ongoing discussion for some years, with some significant steps taken. 

  There are a lot of benefits to having a single system or compatible systems of writing a language werever it is spoken, beginning with being able to share and adapt anything written or printed, and including these days developing web content for use by a larger readership. Maybe a key difference here is the needs of language revitalization in the case of Ojibwe vs. providing an active and geographically spread speaker community of a language with a common system for writing. Nevertheless, somethng like an online dictionary (esp. if a "living" dictionary approach that would allow input from diverse people) for any language in any condition would benefit from a unified orthography.

  I think Kevin is correct that standardization is a political process in that some entities with some authority need to arrive at some common decisions, but I'm not sure I'd agree that lack of a single government for all the speakers of a languageis a deal-stopper. It might be that some sort of cross-border (non-governmental) organization could play a role in coordinating discussion of standardization (but I know of no precedent elsewhere though.)

  On the topic of  linguists' role or not in issues related to standardization: In the case of Africa (at least the areas I'm most familiar with - West), linguists have been part of the process. It's hard to see how much could have been achieved without them. 

  That said, the process has not been perfect. There was a suggestion for instance that some of the prescriptions concerning standardized orthographies have needlessly diverged from established practice. There is a risk that specialists will overthink the rules of orthography to the point of repeated refinements that defeat the purpose of having a standard that people can learn, get used to and use (in Mali for instance there have been some changes of orthography of Bambara over the years; is this the kind of thing MJ refers to in Peru?). But this is not the same as saying that standardization itself is a problem.

  (I'm coming at this from another field (internatinal development) so I may be both off on all this and bringing up issues tangential to the purpose of the list, but while on the topic of linguists and areas they do or don't have roles in, I'd liketo suggest that in my field I note what I think is an unfortunate lack of applied linuists and sociolinguists. International development a quarter century ago began to bring social scientists more into discussion of programs and projects, to complement technical experts and economists with their perspectives. Linguists never were invited nor did they seek to crash the party - the result, I argue, has been neglect of language dimensions of development interventions in multilingual contexts, with implications for who participates, whose knowledge counts, etc.  That's a different area of concern in a different region, but I bring it up to suggest that maybe linguists, or some linguists, should be involved in discussions of unified
 writing systems for languages like Ojibwe.)

  I apologize if I'm overstepping my bounds here, but hope some of this is of interest and look forward to reading more.

  Don

  Don Osborn
  Bisharat.net
  PanAfriL10n.org

        From: Indigenous Languages and Technology [mailto:ILAT at LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU] On Behalf Of Kevin Brousseau
 Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2007 10:03 AM
 To: ILAT at LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
 Subject: Re: [ILAT] Ojibwe Dictionary Online Project

  One of the problems with a unified Anishnabe writting system is that the language crosses a few provincial boundaries and state boudaries. Researchers tend to focus on the language of one community or of a selected area...which is fine and important in itself but the the research is rarely done in the vision of a unified anishnabe language. 

 Also, there isn t one anishnabe govt that represents all anishnabe people. The most important thing in my opinion is starting a discussion  between all anishnabe communities in order to agree on a writing system, which does not necessarily have to be based on the roman alphabet or syllabics (which of course everyone has an opinion about and might cause more divisions in the process). 

 This idea of a unified writting system is outside of the concern of linguists in my opinion - it is a political issue. Anishnabe people themselves need to take the initiative to form a united front (at least in terms of language first). Identifying who is and speaks Anishnabe is the prerequisite to acually forming political ties in the future. 

 A linguist would not insist, for example, that a group should call itself Anishnabe instead of their English labels (which of course are based on  native words), such as Ojibwe, Chippewa, saultaux, Algonquin, Oji-Cree, etc... A unified writting system to a unified language - to a unified people.

 This is what should be done before a major project begins and people say it is too late to change things, but this is just my opinion. 

 Joseph Lavalley <graphfix at HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:
  Dear Mr. D. Osborn,

 Glad you have some contacts in regards to dictionary project. Perhaps a exchange of knowledge with them will provide me with a firmer ground to base this Ojbiwe Dictionary project on. So far it seems so. Look forward to speaking or having meaningful dialogue with someone who participated in it structure and creation.

 With great thanks, Chi-Miigwetch

 Joseph Brian Lavalley - Mishomis dezhenkaz, Nme dodem

---------------------------------

  Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2007 10:18:08 -0400
 From: dzo at BISHARAT.NET
 Subject: Re: [ILAT] Ojibwe Dictionary Online Project
 To: ILAT at LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
      Dear Joseph,

    I can't speak to the issues of the Ojibwe language, but on the broader topic of online "living" dictionaries will mention - in case it is of interest to you and others on ILAT - that there is some interesting work ongoing and being discussed for several African languages. 

    * The ""Kamusi" online living Swahili dictionary has been evolving for several years and, though currently at a moment of transition, is poised to continue its development.

    * Other dictionaries being developed by Kasahorow for Akan (Ghana) and Ewe (Ghana/Togo)

    * A larger project proposal is under discssion to facilitate among other things, pairing of various African languages

    Most of the languages concerned in the current efforts and discussions have millions of speakers and sometimes considerable, if difficult to access, published resources. So the context is somewhat different than what I understand one would be dealinng with for a Native American language like Ojibwe. Nevertheless, perhaps there could be some useful sharing of tools and experience.

    I'll cc Dr. Martin Benjamin (Kamusi) and Paa Kwesi Imbeah (kasahorow) for their info.

    All the best.

    Don Osborn

    Bisharat.net

    PanAfriL10n.org

          From: Indigenous Languages and Technology [mailto:ILAT at LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU] On Behalf Of Joseph Lavalley
 Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2007 11:20 PM
 To: ILAT at LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
 Subject: [ILAT] Ojibwe Dictionary Online Project

    To all interested colleagues,

 Currently engaged in a online Ojibwe dictionary project and have been going it alone for the last year and a half. Seeking interested persons who are currently working on the Ojibwe language (Anishnawbemowin) and those who have dictionary building experience.

 So far using a 1975 reprint of a 1874 Ojibwe language dictionary listed as a grammarian in a Bibliography of Algonquian Language as primary source to create this hand typed (keyboarded) digitized dictionary into a website. The dictionary is the one compiled by Wilson. The reprint was done by the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development Canada. The typeface is approx. 6pt Times. I am currently work in Arial 12pt in Word. Would like to do a cross comparison of other dictionaries extant from either English and French texts past and present to do a complete analysis and comprehensive re-working of Orthography, Phonetic soundings using voice snippets from local oral speakers to establish universal Phonology and Morphology.

 To be honest and truthful to the fullest extent, I have no university standing at this time, although I am currently applying to university to become a Linguist. It is my hope that those that care about the educational responsibilities to the children and people of the Anishnawbe will come forth and help me in the vision of a unified Ojibwe oral, written and symbolic system.

 With a dream to fulfill in ones' lifetime, there is much to be done,

 Miigwetch,

 Joseph Brian Lavalley - Mishomis dezhnikaz, Nme dodem.

 PS. Also, interested in making contact with John D. Nichols leading Algic Family Language Specialist.

 JBL

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