Cree syllabics

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A proof from freshly made Cree typeface

Cree syllabics, found in two primary variants, are the versions of Canadian Aboriginal syllabics used to write Cree dialects, including the original syllabics system created for Cree and Ojibwe. Syllabics were later adapted to several other languages.[1] It is estimated that over 70,000 Algonquian-speaking people use the script, from Saskatchewan in the west to Hudson Bay in the east, the US border to Mackenzie and Kewatin in the north.[2]

History

Cree syllabics were not developed by [[James Evans, although he claims credit for the writing system. They were given in a dream to Cree hunter Calling Badger.

Structure

Canadian Aboriginal syllabics are unique among abugida scripts in that the orientation of a symbol, rather than modifications of its shape or diacritic marks, determines the vowel of a syllable. Each basic shape corresponds to a specific consonant sound; this is flipped or rotated to denote the accompanying vowel.[3]

Like the Latin alphabet, syllabics are written from left to right, with each new line of writing directly under the previous one.

a e i o
- ᐊ ᐁ ᐃ ᐅ
p ᐸ ᐯ ᐱ ᐳ
t ᑕ ᑌ ᑎ ᑐ
k ᑲ ᑫ ᑭ ᑯ
ch ᒐ ᒉ ᒋ ᒍ
m ᒪ ᒣ ᒥ ᒧ
n ᓇ ᓀ ᓂ ᓄ
s ᓴ ᓭ ᓯ ᓱ
y ᔭ ᔦ ᔨ ᔪ

Variants

The syllabary continues in use for dialects of Cree west of the Manitoba–Ontario border as Western Cree syllabics. John Horden[citation needed] introduced modifications in the 1850s in the James Bay area.[2] These were standardized in 1865 to form Eastern Cree syllabics, used today for many eastern dialects of Cree, Naskapi, and Ojibwe, though Cree dialects of eastern Quebec use the Latin alphabet. The two versions differ primarily in the way they indicate syllable-final consonants, in how they mark the semi-vowel /w/, and in how they reflect the phonological differences between Cree dialects.[1] There are more minor local differences in orthography, shapes of the characters, writing styles, and punctuation, with some writers using dots or spaces between words, and others not indicating word separation.[1]

Modern usage

Though used for manuscripts, letters, and personal records since the 19th century, the need for special type long restricted printed syllabics to missionary publications. However, with the development of syllabic typewriters and later word processors, control of the script passed to native speakers, and it is now used for schoolbooks, periodicals, and official documents.[1]

See also

Cree books written in syllabics

  • Hundreds of Eastern James Bay Cree books were published by the Cree School Board of Quebec, Canada. See the catalogue.
  • Swampy Cree Hymn Book = ᓇᑲᒧᐏᓇ ᐅᒪᐢᑮᑯᐘ ᐅᑎᑘᐏᓂᐘᐤ. (By James Evans) Norway House, 1841. (Peel 209)
  • The Psalter, or Psalms of David = ᑌᕕᑦ ᐅ ᓂᑲᒧᐎᓇᕽ. (By John Horden) London, 1875. (Peel 738)
  • The New Testament, translated into the Cree language = ᐅᔅᑭ ᑎᔅᑌᒥᓐᑦ ᑭ ᑎᐯᓕᒋᑫᒥᓇᐤ ᓀᔥᑕ ᑭ ᐱᒪᒋᐃᐌᒥᓇᐤ ᒋᓴᔅ ᒃᣅᔅᑦ. (By John Horden) London, 1876. (Peel 782)
  • Catechism. (Transl. James Evans) Rossville, É.N.
  • The Holy Bible. (Transl. John Sinclair, Henry Steinhauer) London, 1861.
  • Bunyan: Pilgrim´S Progress. (Transl. John Sinclair) Toronto, 1900.
  • Cree Hymn Book. (By John Mcdougall) Toronto, 1888.
  • Cree Hymn Book. (By Robert Steinauer, Egerton Steinauer) Toronto, 1920.
  • The Epistle of Paul The Apostle To The Galatians. (Transl. Joseph Reader) Oonikup (Northwest Territory), S.A.
  • The Acts of The Apostles And The Epistles. London, 1891.
  • The Books of The New Testament. London, 1859.
  • The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians; the Epistle of Jacob; the First Epistle General of John. (Transl. Thomas Hullburt) Rossville, 1857.
  • The Travellers´ Spiritual Provision (Calendar) S.L., S. A.
  • The Handbook to Scripture Truth: Words of Admonition, Counsel and Comfort. Toronto, 1893.
  • Prières, Cantiques, Catéchisme Etc. En Lanque Crise. Montreal, 1886.
  • The Book of Common Prayer, (Transl. John Horden) London, 1889 (Addl. Printings Through 1970).
In: Paleográfiai kalandozások. Szentendre, 1995. ISBN 963-450-922-3

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  • Barber, F. Luis: James Evans and the Cree Syllabic. In: Victoria Library Bulletin Toronto. July 1940. vol. 2. No. 2. 16 p.
  • Burwash, Nathaniel: The Gift to a Nation of Written Language. S.l., 1911. 21 p.
  • Evans, James: Cree Syllabic Hymn Book. Norway House, 1841. In: Bibliographical Society of Canada; Facsim. Series 4. Toronto, 1954. 23 p.
  • Ray, Margaret: The James Evans Collection. In: Victoria Library Bulletin Toronto. July 1940. vol. 2. No. 2. 16 p.

External links

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