Language Skills Tips for Practicing By Opolahsomuwehs

Listen to the Melody Each language has its own intonation patterns—rises, falls, pauses—you can listen to without even trying to catch the accent. Listen to speakers, when possible, can you catch the emotional tone even though you can’t understand a word?

Think Sounds Think sounds, not the written word, since in many languages the way a word is pronounced may have little relation to its spelling. Work on those strange sounds which don’t exist in English. Practice short phrases containing these difficult sounds. Watch people’s faces for lip position on certain sounds.

Learn Phrases, not Words Words seldom exist in isolation. You may not even be understood if you pronounce the language word by word, rather than running them together in appropriate breath groups. Use a tape recorder to get short conversations you can listen to and repeat.

Practice on Someone Learned a new phrase? Find someone to try it out on. Embarassed about starting a conversation? Try talking to children; it is easier. Practice asking people what their name is, and greeting them in Maliseet, especially Elders who are looking forward to hearing bits of their language.

Take Some Risks Risk making friends from other Maliseet communities. Ask questions in Maliseet; be curious. Be brave enough to ask for language corrections once you know a Maliseet speaker.

Go Ahead! Read! Write! Read Maliseet materials, attempt to label items in your home Try to associate the written words with what you have heard Carry a notebook to write down new phrases or expressions as soon as you hear them. Then use them to communicate an idea of your own.

Observe the Non-verbal Communication There is much more to communicating than sounds, words, and the structures of Maliseet You need to know culturally- appropriate ways (pointing with lips) How do people interrupt each other to take turns talking? Who speaks first?

Non-Verbal Communications How do they show respect? How do they show authority? What gestures do they use and can you tell what they mean? Is there a difference between man to man, woman to woman, Elder to child?

Go Practice! After all this observation, go practice! Stay tuned in to Maliseet as many hours a day as possible Alternating between observation and listening And actively practice with anyone who will cooperate. You will be surprised how quickly you communicate. Source: Notes from American Indian Language Development Institute, University of Arizona