Cree language Guide, Meaning , Facts, Information and Description
Cree is the name for a group of closely-related Algonquian languages spoken across Canada, from Alberta to Labrador. The simplest (though not entirely correct by contemporary linguistic standards) way to classify Cree dialects is by what consonant occurs within a set of alternations. The Plains Cree, speakers of the so-called 'y' dialect, refer to their language as Nehiyawewin, whereas Woods Cree speakers say nehithawewin, and Swampy Cree speakers say nehinawewin. In some sense, this is similar to the alternation in the Siouxan languages Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota, a pattern seen frequently in dialect groupings around the world.Many Cree words also became the basis for words in the Chinook Jargon trade language used until some point after contact with Europeans.
Like many Native American languages, Cree features a complex polysynthetic morphology and syntax. A Cree word can be very long, and express something that takes a series of words in English, while at other times Cree is more explicit than English. For example, the Plains Cree word for "school" is kiskinohamatowkamikw, "Know-by.hand-caus-applicative-reciprocal-place," "The knowing-it-together-by-example place". To say "he always danced like that" in Plains Cree, however, is simply ki-isi-nanimihtow.
Both the Cree syllabary and a romanized orthography are used for writing.
A unique kind of creole of Cree and Quebec French, called Michif, is spoken by some Canadian Métis;.
Cree is an official language of the Northwest Territories. Despite its apparent large number of speakers (many more speakers than is typical for a Native American language today), Cree is still an endangered language, since very few children are learning the language.
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