Chumash
Language
The Chumash language
has been researched and preserved by the efforts and knowledge of
many people. Presently, a small number of Native apprentices are
working with Dr. Richard Applegate, a renowned linguist and
specialist in the Chumash language, to preserve these endangered
languages.
The word Chumash
originally referred to the people of Limuw,
Santa Cruz Island. In more modern times Chumash
was used to identify all people of the Chumash Nation. Every
village in Chumash territory had its own language which were not
only different dialects but distinctly different languages. During
the mission times, there were seven Chumash languages: Barbareño/Šmuwič,
Ineseño/Samala, Purisimeño, Ventureño, and Obispeño. In
addition, there was the islander and the interior languages.
Wishtoyo's Language School, under the leadership and guidance of
Deborah Sanchez and Johnny
Moreno, will learn the Šmuwič/Barbareño language.
We give great thanks to all those who have worked on preserving our
language and a Very Special Thanks in Memory of Liz Dominquez who
heartfully dedicated much of her adult life to the language, songs
and tradition of the Chumash People.
Click
for Wishtoyo Newsletter Volume III
Liz
Domiguez and Dr. Richard Applegate
Wishtoyo
to start Šmuwič Language
School - Spring 2010
Click
for Language School Announcement
Language
Teachers Deborah Sanchez
and Johnny Moreno
Here is a
short pronunciation guide and a vocabulary list (provided by the work
of present day apprentices) to have fun with as you try your tongue at
saying some words in the Šmuwič language:
a,
e, i, o, u
pronounced very much like Spanish
ɨ
- the 6th vowel
pronounced very much like the ‘u’ in the English word
‘put’
c
= ts
as in the word “cats”
Q=
q
“q” is further back in the throat than regular
“k” (it’s not like
the word “quack”)
š
= “sh”
as in the word “shop”
tš
= “ch”
X
= “x”
is raspy like the ‘j’ in the Spanish word “baja”
‘
= “glottal stop”
as is the word “sxa’min” – ocean
This
is pronounced like a catch in the throat as English “oh-oh” or
the pronunciation of “t” in English “motley.”
Vocabulary
List:
Haku
Hello
Good
bye
Kiwa’nan
Ocean
sxa’min
Sand
xas
Dolphin
‘alolk’oy
Whale
paxat
Swordfish
‘elye’wun
Starfish
‘elewese
Plank
canoe
tomol
Rainbow
wištoyo
Earth
šup
Day/sun
‘ališaw
Star
‘aqiwo
Butterfly
‘ayatulutul
Flower
spe’y
Path
č’alayaš
Village
‘ap aniš
Mother
xo’ni
Father
kok’o
Child
taniw/č’ič’i
Please
visit: www.chumashlanguage.com
for more information about the
Samala-English Dictionary created in collaboration with Richard B.
Applegate, Ph.D. and the Santa Ynez Chumash Education Committee
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