Ojibwemowin Audio Highlights:
Ojibwemowin for May 20th
"Zaagaasige" - the sun is shining. "Mizhakwad" - the
sky is clear. BUT... "Gaawiin mashi aabawaamagasinoon" - it's
not warm yet. We're still hoping for "aabawaamagad" - warm
weather. "Ondaanimad" - the wind comes from..."Waabanong"
- the East; "Zhaawanong" - the South "Ningaabi'anong"
- the West and "Giiwedinong" - the North
Saagajiwe notes that Ojibwemowin gives us much room for
creativity with the language. Possibilities for word creations seem
limitless. For example, there are other ways to talk about wind
direction. We might hear someone from Leech Lake talking about the wind
when she or he says, "Zhaawanoodin".
In a previous program we learned "gichi-noodin"
- it's windy. See how "Zhaawanoodin" combines "the South (Zhaawa)
with "it's windy" (noodin).
We believe our language is eminently relevant to our lives
today. It gives us a chance to create ways we understand our world, and
ways to contribute to what is known about the our world today and in the
future.
"Indebweyendizomin niinawind" We believe in our
Anishinaabe selves, our history, teachings and future as Anishinaabeg.
"Weweni" - go with care...
Ojibwemowin for May 8th:
Wewebanaabii: "She/he is fishing," Gigii-wewebanaabii:
you went fishing, Mizhakwad: the sky is clear, Wii-ni-mizhakwak: the sky
will clear up (future tense), Gagiibaadizi: she/he is behaving in a
foolish manner (goofy), Ishkwaaginzod: the last day of something.
Something is done. We use it a lot when talking about the calendar. As in:
Geyaabi ashi-ingodwaasogon biinish igo ishkwaginzod omaa
Niigaane-gikinoo'amaading. There are 16 days left until the last day of
school here at Niigaane. Also, then: Maadaginzod, the first day of
something as in the first day of the month or the first day of fishing.
Ojibwemowin for April 24th:
Animikiikaa (uh-nih-mih-kee-kaa): It is storming, Gii-animikiikaa:
it stormed greatly last night
Ojibwemowin for March 13th: Ojibwemowin:
Onaabani-giizis:
Onaabani-giizis is the name for the month of March. It refers to
the time of crusty snow, "Onaabanad". Also, "ani-ziigwan":
it's getting to be Spring (Yea!). And, "ningizo": the snow is
melting. "Zhakaagonaga" is slush or mushy snow. There are many
names for and descriptions for snow.
Ojibwemowin for February 26th: Ojibwemowin:
Mino-doodaadig:
"Noongom (today) gigii-tazhindaamin (we talked about the
phrase) mino-doodaadig" - which is the plural command that says,
"Hey you guys, be good with each other" or treat each other
kindly.
Ojibwemowin for February 5th: Noondendami-giizhigad
(Ojiimishin!):
We pause in our pursuit of learning weather related phrases and
words to get ready for Noondendami-giizhigad, literally "the flirting
days", also known as Valentine's Day. On Noondendami-giizhigad you
might say, and at some time you probably should say, to your sweetheart:
Ojiimishin, "give me a kiss".
Ojibwemowin for January 29:
Gissa namaagad agwajing:
The last week of January and the first week of February are often
the coldest days of winter. Our phrase for this week - "Gissa
namaagad agwajing" - is just right for the season. Gissa namaagad
agwajing: It's cold outside. "Gichi-noo-din" is another
phrase we've used in previous programs and applies this week too.
Gichi-noo-din: "it's windy". And, another phrase we used a
lot this week, "bii-wan" (be-one): blowing snow. It didn't snow
a lot, but it sure blew hard. So, Gissa namaagad agwajing... gichi-noo-din...
and bii-wan.
Ojibwemowin for January 15:
Niigaane, "The one who leads"; and Gimiikawaadiz,
"You are beautiful."
Ojibwemowin: our Ojibwe lesson
for the week of January 3,
2008
"Aabawaamagad": it's
warm. OK, relatively warm, much
warmer today than yesterday!
"Aabawaag" for
short. We can add, "mino-giizhigad",
it's a nice day. But, "gitchi-noo-din",
it's windy. Listen...
"Ganabaj wii-zoogipan"
(it might snow):
A few words for today:
"ningwakwad" - it's
cloudy. "Aaniin" (ah
neen) is a very useful word used
in a greeting: "Aaniin,
friend!" Or it can be a
word that asks "how",
"what",
"why" or
"where" depending on
the context. When we greet
Leslie (Saagajiwe) on the
program we say "Aaniin,
Saagajiwe" and then, "Aaniin
ezhiwebak agwajing noongom?"
what's the weather today?
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