Media Releases
New Words for the First Language of the Salish Sea – SENĆOŦEN
Posted on: October 21, 2010
October 21, 2010 SIDNEY, BC — Feather stars seem to dance in the swells of the Salish Sea. That is exactly why they have just been named ₭I,ILEŚ KELKELÁSES, the “dancing starfish”.
For as long ago as people have lived on this coast, the Saanich First Nations have been speaking the traditional language of SENĆOŦEN (pronounced sun,cha,thun). Everything that was known about the land and sea has remarkably descriptive names in SENĆOŦEN – or at least did. Over the years, the Coast Salish language has been broken down and pieces of it have been lost; the word for sea anemone has seemingly vanished. In an endeavour to preserve a traditional language in very real danger of disappearing, the Salish people are recreating lost words that better fit today’s way of life.
Elisha Elliott, Saanich name MENEŦIYE, is a full-time Oceaneer at the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre. She recently began working with a group of elders undertaking the task of reconstructing and creating new words for the SENĆOŦEN language with a particular focus on names for species found in the Salish Sea. The aquariums of the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre showcase the rich ecosystem of the Salish Sea. Being able to see these diverse animals and plants up close in the collection has been helpful in the language effort.
Many of the names of these plants and animals that MENEŦIYE is helping rename were lost during recent years when the use of SENĆOŦEN was restricted, and in some cases, prohibited by schools and government agencies. Changes in lifestyle, harvesting and economic opportunities also contributed to the loss of knowledge as a result of less time spent on the Salish Sea. Respected elders such as the late Ray Sam held much of the remaining knowledge. His passing adds urgency to the work of transferring the language to a new generation.
With the guidance and approval of her elders, MENEŦIYE has an important role in the conservation of a threatened language and a precious ocean. “Our SENĆOŦEN language is ancient, and the words translate much of the natural world but time has changed from our old ways,” she says. “We have to come up with words that we never had to use before and create names for some that were lost.” A selection of the new SENĆOŦEN species names that she and her language teachers have created will be introduced to the public on habitat signage at the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre. A touch-screen monitor will also be accessible to visitors, giving them the opportunity to see a visual representation and hear the pronunciation of each new word… new words for an old language with a future.
Sample of new SENĆOŦEN words
ȽELB,ELAXEN KELKELÁSES, bat star or “flabby armed starfish”
NEȻIM SȽÁSE,ḰO KIONṮEN, red turban snail or “red salt water snail”
SLÁMIEȽ ḰO,EṈ ÁĆEX, graceful kelp crab
I,ÍYMET LELEŦEN, decorated warbonnet or “beautiful eel”
ŚEPEḴSEN ÁĆEX, sharpnose crab
SPIPENT TOMELḴȽ, painted anemone or “painted face anemone”
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About the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre
The Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre is an aquarium and marine education centre focused on the amazing ecosystem of the Salish Sea. The Centre operates as a not-for-profit community facility that is self supporting through admission fees, grants and donations. The Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre is governed, funded and owned by the New Marine Centre Society. Funds for the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre were raised through generous community support. The Centre is located in a spectacular waterfront building in Sidney, BC.
Media Contact: To arrange to speak directly with MENEŦIYE about this project and her work at the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre please contact
Angus Matthews
Executive Director
Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre
angus@oceandiscovery.ca
250.665.7511 Ext 108
Wow, great site!