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Teachings from the Tree of Life, part 32: The Empathic Nature of Ojibwe Language

  • Writer: zhaawano
    zhaawano
  • Sep 5, 2024
  • 3 min read

Updated: Jun 16

Miskomini-giizis (Raspberry Moon)/Manoominike-giizis (Ricing Moon) (September 5, 2024)


Waawiindamaadiwin ("The Promise") ©2024.painting by Zhaawano Giizhik


I love you.

I care for you.

I see you.


In Anishinaabemowin, the Ojibwe language, verb conjugations do not use personal pronouns. Instead, personal prefixes and suffixes (affixes) are employed. These affixes indicate who is performing an action and whom or what the action affects. Personal affixes (prefix + suffix) form parts of a word, so the English phrase "I love you" becomes a single word in Ojibwe: gi-zaagi-in (you-love-I). The same applies to gi-zhawenim-in: (you-care for-I). Similarly, "I see you" and "I shall see you" are each expressed as one word in Ojibwe: gi-waabam-in (you-see-I) and gi-ga-waabam-in (you-will-see-I), respectively.


Gizaagi'in Gizhawenimin

Giwaabamin


The arrangement of syllables in Ojibwe words and the structure of sentences reveal much about Anishinaabemowin. This language is not only more focused on verbs and actions but also inherently more "empathic" compared to European languages, which typically emphasize the "I" form over the person being addressed.


For further information on the nature of Anishinaabemowin, check out: Why Bears Never Speak Backward but Some Indians Do.


Illustration: Waawiindamaadiwin ("The Promise") ©2024.



PRONUNCIATION LIST OF OJIBWE WORDS:


Anishinaabemowin -- Ah-nih-shih-naa-BAY-mow-WIN

Gi-zaagi'in -- Gih-ZAAG-ih-in

Giga-waabamin - -Gih-gah-WAAB-bah-min

Giwaabamin -- Gih-WAA-bah-min Gizhawenimin -- Gih-zhah-WAY-ni-min

Ojibwe -- Oh-JIB-way

Waawiindamaadiwin -- Waa-ween-dah-MAA-dih-win



EPISODE LIST FOR THE "TEACHINGS FROM THE TREE OF LIFE" SERIES:




 
 
 

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