What a girl is in this moment

[sovay]

I was not previously aware of Calina Lawrence, but I am now listening to "ʔəshəliʔ ti txʷəlšucid (Lushootseed Is Alive)." The call-and-response refrain in the Coast Salish language translates to "How are you folks?"/"We are strong." I don't know what the rest of it means. It may not be for me.

From thinking about indigenous musicians, I discovered that Black Belt Eagle Scout has a new album that I would like to hear all of: At the Party with My Brown Friends (2019). Until then, there is this live performance.

I forgot to mention last night that spatch quoted me on Twitter. It makes me feel accomplished.

Comments

[sovay]

Heh the in-joke there is that we've all had these "Lushootseed Lives" bumper stickers for years now in regional language revival circles (mine is on my lunchbox).

Can you understand the song?

[sara]

Only a very little, this isn't a language I have hardly at all.

[sovay]

Only a very little, this isn't a language I have hardly at all.

I'm glad you have even a little of it.

[sara]

I'm fluent in another regional tribal language, and there's some overlap (I have less Lushootseed than I do practical Yiddish, for context....) I'd like to have more but it's only been taught at a time I can't consistently get to classes given my work schedule.

I am always very happy to hear people singing in their languages, though. I came up to the big festival grounds at the Canoe Journey a few years ago right when people were singing in the language I have, and I just started to cry. Language should be a "yes, and" endeavor. Sure having all these nouns sometimes means I'm not sure what should come out of my mouth, but a little stutter is a small price to pay for keeping these things alive.

[sovay]

Sure having all these nouns sometimes means I'm not sure what should come out of my mouth, but a little stutter is a small price to pay for keeping these things alive.

It is always better to have too many nouns.

Is the other language closer to you than Lushootseed, or is that the wrong question?

[sara]

Mm, it's complicated? It's more that I was invited to learn that one.

[sovay]

It's more that I was invited to learn that one.

Check. I think it's great that you were, and did. I feel strongly about languages, I said with massive understatement.

[dhampyresa]

a little stutter is a small price to pay for keeping these things alive.
I just want to say this is a beautiful sentiment I agree with and have never seen framed so perfectly before.