Language of the elders (fwd link)

[phil cash cash]

Language of the elders
Preserving the sounds and identity of their American Indian culture

By Flynn Espe
The East Oregonian

As in any typical high school classroom, the level of engagement varied from
student to student Tuesday morning in the Umatilla language class at Nixyáawii
Community School.

In reviewing Umatilla vocabulary for articles of clothing, teacher Tawtaliksh
(English name Fred Hill, Sr.) told several amusing stories behind the meaning
of the words, being careful to clarify the language's precise sounds. With the
slightest of change in vowel pronunciation, he demonstrated, the word for sleep
would turn into the word for drink.

To access the full article, just follow the link below:
http://www.eastoregonian.info/main.asp?SectionID=13&SubSectionID=48&ArticleID=71753