Here is some vocabulary we use in the classroom. Your student will be familiar with them to use at home. Go ahead and try it!

Pronunciation Guide

While consonants in Ojibwe sound roughly like their English equivalents, vowels in Ojibwe have their own unique sound. When speaking, an emphasis (or accent) is applied on the first double vowel in a word. Double vowels are the vowels with two letters, with the exception of ā€œeā€ which has a double vowel or long vowel sound.

Vowel Phonemic Sound Similar English Sound
a uh (similar to letter “u”) about
aa aah father
e ay day
i ih pin
ii ee seen
o oh open
oo oo boot

Commands

Gaawiin! No!
Babaamendan! Pay attention!
Biindigen! Enter or Come in! (when talking to one person)
Biindigeg! Enter or Come in! (when talking to more than one person)
Bizaan! Quiet! (when talking to one person)
Bizaag! Quiet! (when talking to more than one person)
Namadabin! Sit down! (when talking to one person)
Namadabig! Sit down! (when talking to more than one person)
Miigwech! Thank you!