Cree language book focuses on ‘th’ dialect

The ‘th’ Cree dialect is spoken in all LLRIB communities, as well as in Deschambeault Lake, Flin Flon, Montreal Lake, Pelican Narrows and Southend. It is the dialect Ratt grew up speaking in Stanley Mission.

“The book itself deals with general grammar that we normally cover in language classes, plus it also offers a few stories in the back where teachers can read the stories and ask questions of the students about the story,” he noted.

“This is one of the best ways of retaining a language is if you read a story and ask questions about the story. It worked for me when I was learning English.”

Ratt began work on the book after he retired as an associate professor at the First Nations University of Canada in 2023. He did have some assistance from his students with proof reading, as well as suggestions on how to improve its content.

Ratt added there is a high need for his book in the classroom setting.

“Teachers are crying for materials to use in the classroom,” he said.

“Lots of schools are now teaching the Cree language, which is very nice to see. It was something that was not there in the 70s and into the 80s. Interest just picked up in the last few years and more people want to teach classes. They just don’t have the materials to work with and some of us have been able to provide those materials.”

A book launch will be held Wednesday at noon at the John Archer Library at the University of Regina.

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

by Derek Cornet

Cree language book focuses on ‘th’ dialect

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