Cree 1 page 2.pdf

Cree 100 – Cree Dialects, Sound & Spelling System (SRO) Contents © Julie Roy In Canada, there are 12 major Indigenous linguistic groups and one of them is referred to as the Algonkian/Algonquian family consisting of 14 different languages. Cree is one of those languages and it is deemed a...

Cree 100 – Cree Dialects, Sound & Spelling System (SRO) Contents © Julie Roy In Canada, there are 12 major Indigenous linguistic groups and one of them is referred to as the Algonkian/Algonquian family consisting of 14 different languages. Cree is one of those languages and it is deemed a dominant Indigenous language. Refer to the 2021 Canadian Census Statistics chart data at https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/220817/cg-a002-eng.htm The Cree language is technically known as being spoken in 9 different dialects across Canada (see map 1 pg. 3). There are 5 main dialects (see examples below) known as the ‘non-palatalized’ dialects spoken in western and central Canada. 3 of the main dialects exist on the prairie provinces and all 3 are spoken in Saskatchewan (see map 2 pg. 3). They are the Y, Th and N dialects however this course focuses on the southern Y dialect for the most part. A northern Y dialect also exists. The Cree language in the Y dialect is referred to as nēhiyawēwin. Example: Y dialect → niya (I/Me) *the ‘iy’ takes an automatic ‘ee’ sound. - referred to as Plains Cree [a southern and northern version exists]. Th dialect → nītha (I/Me) *the ‘i’ becomes a long vowel. - referred to as Woods/Woodland Cree. N dialect → nīna (I/Me) - referred to as Swampy Cree. L dialect → nīla (I/Me) - referred to as Moose Cree. R dialect → nīra (I/Me) *the ‘r’ is pronounced with a slight roll of the tongue much like the French language version. This dialect is referred to as Atikamēk Cree. Refer to the maps of the Cree dialects that extend across Canada on the next page. These are general maps and may not be accurate. Note that there are Cree speaking communities in the state of Montana, USA as well. 2