Ojibwe translation

[Anthony Yarusso]

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Wow!  Sounds like you already have a foot in the door on this; that all
sounds great.  Are the sounds and artwork you have available on the web
somewhere?  (If not I could make them so.)  I wonder if it would be
possible to combine things so that for the people that do not speak
their traditional language using their computer could have a double
function also helping to teach the language while operating primarily in
English/French?  I have no idea how that would work, but it would be
cool.  One thing that will likely be very useful for translation efforts
is that significant efforts are getting underway to standardize the
languages more, while still recognizing the dialectical differences
where they can't be easily reconciled.

Ralph Pichie wrote:
> Some info on the aboriginal language situation in Canada:
> 
> There are dozens of language families from North America alone, and
> different dialects within languages. That's one of the reasons aboriginal
> languages haven't been done yet, among many others. How do you choose which
> one?
> 
> List of languages in Canada, etc.:
> http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=CA
> 
> Maps of languages in Canada: http://www.ethnologue.com/show_map.asp?name=CA
> 
> Taking an Ojibwe project to Six Nations, for example, might inspire them to
> do the same for their languages, but with not be of direct benefit, as not
> too many there would speak that language.
> 
> You will find speakers of many languages here, on the 24-26th of November,
> at the Skydome uh I mean Rogers Centre.
> http://www.canab.com/
> 
> My thoughts on the matter, as someone who has been involved with native
> groups for many years and has a foot in both worlds:
> 
> Beyond just translating text, there needs to be appropriate graphical
> content, sound samples, etc., and it would be useful to switch some
> installed applications for others, while changing a default setting or two.
> I have a list of desirable alterations, a source for aboriginal motifs, and
> contacts with a number of organizations.
> 
> Note that an English (or French) language version of Ubuntu, tailored to
> the
> aboriginal demographic, would be relatively easy to produce, and could use
> the same graphics, sounds, etc., as any translation project. It would also
> be useful for the majority who don't have mastery of their traditional
> language(s), but who might like to learn. It would motivate a whole
> range of
> groups to look at translation, especially if such a suggestion were
> included.
> 
> I had a conversation with a rep from Heritage Canada this summer. My
> understanding is that there is funding for aboriginal language projects,
> but
> the government does not determine the projects themselves. That is done
> through regional organizations representing native groups. Funding aside,
> there is an unfortunate history of outside solutions that, at best, went
> nowhere, and, too often, made things worse. For that reason, you really
> need
> to work with word-of-mouth and with the help of insiders who know the
> issues
> and have contacts.
> 
> I'd like to discuss this with those that are keen on the idea. I've done a
> lot of preparatory work, and I know people, but I can certainly use some
> help.
> 
> Ralph
> 

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