#choctaw language

[pessimisticfanboi]

[kataibusaibiin]

A world with no word for “love”

While interviewing some folks about Language Endangerment, our discussions naturally touched upon how language reflects and reinforces the values and beliefs of a culture. Folks commiserated about what is lost when a language dies/is dying.

One example I was reminded of is that there isn't really a word for the English equivalent of "love" in "Chahta anumpa" (Choctaw language).

Modern dictionaries and younger language learners might say that "i hullo" means "(to) love" but some of us remember being taught this was traditionally closer in meaning to "caring" or "to care for." So the closest equivalent I could say when I wrote a beloveds eulogy was, "Chi hullo li na billia chih." (I will care for you forever.)

Love, however, was meant to be expressed through actions and not words.

[bolaneno]

FB image credit: Choctaw Cultural Legacy

[sidereal-motion]

Choctaw lessons on Memrise

One of the members of the ‘Learning Choctaw’ facebook group uploaded some Chahta Anumpa lessons on Memrise!

[happyninjabunnie]

I’m thinking about taking a Choctaw Language Course this summer

It would be nice to know how to say more than just my name!

My great grandma and my grandma both spoke it fluently... And I’m kinda regretting not learning it from them while they were a live. 

[nitaohoyo]

Ikhvnapisa Hannali: Nanta yvt illvp? (What is this?) Review

[nitaohoyo]

  Ikhvnapisa tathappi- illvp vt micha illvpa yvt (this is and these are)

Lesson: This is/These are

[nitaohoyo]

Grammar Foreword for week 2 (Online Handout)

Lesson: This is/These are That is/Those are