Anishinaabe Word of the Day, originally published in Shameless Magazine, The Transformation Issue 36, Fall 2017: https://shamelessmag.com/issue/fall-2017
Anishinaabemoowin Word of the Day
Today’s Anishinaabe word of the day, brought to you by the old age, forgetfulness, and dementia that has loosened my grandmothers tongue, bringing her back to a time before Residential Schools, and the slaps from the nuns if she spoke her language; suddenly I understand her silences:
“Gwebiitaang.”
“What did she say?” I ask my mom to translate. Gway-bee-tung. Gwebiitaang. Hurry up.
“Gwebiitaang,” Am I saying it right? Hurry up. Hurry up.
Today’s Anishinaabe word of the day brought to you by the old age, forgetfulness, and dementia that has loosened my grandmother’s tongue, bringing her back to a time before Residential Schools, and the slaps from the nuns if she spoke her language:
“Aandi ezhaa’yin?”
“What’s that mean?” I ask my mom to translate. She has better ears for hearing Aanishinaabemoowin. Where are you going?
“Aandi ezhaa’yin.” I say, “Am I saying it right?”
“Aandi ezhaa’yin.” My mom repeats slower, so I can get the pronunciation right.
“Aandi ezhaa’yin.” My grandmother says slower, so I can get the pronunciation right.
“Aandi ezhaa’yin.” I repeat, and my grandmother laughs, her face splits open in a smile hearing me speak Anishinaabemoowin.
I gather the words that survive like something precious, like seeds, try to plant them with repetition, write them down so I won’t forget, so I will remember.
Gwebiitaang. Hurry up.
Aandi ezhaa’yin? Where are you going?
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