Dictionary Project
Dictionary Project
The Hul’qumi’num language was traditionally an oral-only language and is at risk of becoming extinct. Through the Dictionary Project, Cowichan Tribes is keeping the language alive by:
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Converting the spoken language into a written orthography;
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Providing community language classes;
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Increasing the number of Hul’qumi’num teachers and speakers;
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Introducing the Hul’qumi’num language in schools; and
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Providing Cultural Teaching Assistants to the schools. There are currently seven Cultural Teaching Assistants in schools with a high First Nations enrolment.
Most Dictionary Project staff are fluent Hul’qumi’num speakers.
Did You Know...
Cowichan Tribes provides a number of Hul’qumi’num language classes. QwiQwal (Big House speakers) was a specialized program teaching the processes and protocols of the Big House.
Participating Schools