Happy Christmas Eve! This fun story caught my eye and I’ll tell you why. Allow me to explain the complicated journey of being a child with a german spelling to a name in an America.  “I before e except after C nonsense”

There was always a moment of suspense as I looked at class room valentine’s and saw the truly creative ways my classmates wrote my name. Think of that as you read this report and maybe you’ll understand my delight.

Lingít Word of the Week: Sʼigeidí — Beaver

This is Lingít Word of the Week. Each week, we feature a Lingít word voiced by master speakers. Lingít has been spoken throughout present-day Southeast Alaska and parts of Canada for over 10,000 years.

This week’s word is s’igeidí, or beaver. Listen to the audio below to learn how to say s’igeidí.

PS look down at your keyboard and try to see what letter is directly next to G. How many times can you imagine I accidentally typed Geidi at the end of an email?

Kaxwaan Éesh George Davis: S’igeidí.

That means beaver.

Here are some sentences:

Kaxwaan Éesh George Davis: S’igeidích wusiḵít.

The beaver dams it.

Keihéenák’w John Martin: Héen x̱oo kat aaní yéi yá s’igeidí has du aaní yéi yatee.

Among the surface of the water, this is the beaverʼs place.

Keiyishí Bessie Coolie: Ḵukaltʼéexʼ káxʼ sʼigeidí x̱oodé ana.átch.

In the spring, people go beaver trapping.

Ḵaakal.áat Florence Marks Sheakley: Chʼa hás has du koowú has alʼéix̱ yá sʼig̱eidí.

The beavers dance with their tails.

You can hear each installment of Lingít Word of the Week on the radio throughout the week.