After four decades of translation and consultation, a new dictionary was published this week that documents and preserves an Indigenous Vancouver Island language.
Over 12,000 words of SENĆOŦEN, the language of the W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations on Vancouver Island’s Saanich Peninsula, now reside in its pages.
The dictionary consists of more than 1500 pages, and can now be used by future generations to learn the Coast Salish language that’s written mainly in upper-case.
It was carefully compiled over 40 years by Elders from the Tsawout, Tsartlip, Tseycum, and Pauquachin First Nations communities, and Dr. Timothy Montler.
According to the CRD, the dictionary costs $100, and can be purchased by calling Tye Swallow at the Tribal School at 250-652-2313.
Congratulations to the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples on completing their SENĆOŦEN dictionary. 40 years of hard work with Elders and the community and Dr. Timothy Montler who has documented over 12,000 words and 1500 pages. pic.twitter.com/RoA2GeazHM
— CRD (@crd_bc) August 22, 2018
