Part III: “Am I saying this right?”

By Lee Longhorn

Languages can be fun to learn. When you are around people from other cultures, it’s always good to learn bits and pieces of their language. A couple of months ago, I posted on my Hmong friend’s wall on Facebook in the Creek language. Basically, I just said “Happy Birthday.” He responded, “Thank you my friend,” in Hmong. Now we both meant what we said but it was interesting seeing it in two different languages. I like when things like that happen.

Although, I also know what happens when you try and pronounce words in another language and completely butcher it. In February of 2010, the Oklahoma Native American Students in Higher Education held its conference on the Oklahoma State University campus. At dinner one night, I was sitting at a table with three Kiowa individuals. They were Dr. Heather Shotton, Robin Willaims and Dane Poolaw, who teaches Kiowa language at OU. Dr. Shotton was trying to get me to stay and I couldn’t because of a limited number of clean clothes.

I told the table, “I don’t have any, what do you call them, crawdads.” The table erupted with laughter. I believe you pronounce the word like “Kaw-days.” Believe me, I’m no Kiowa expert. After the laughter died down, I then laughed and told them their language was hard. “What’s that word for black? King Kong?” More laughter ensued. I can’t even type out how to say black in Kiowa but that’s not it.

I do believe that those of us who are multi-tribal will be dictionaries of multiple tribal languages. While I’m no good at speaking it, I can translate some of the basic words and sayings. I would have been highly useful back in the 1800s if I had been multi-tribal. Where do I put that on my resume? Does it go under work experience or skills?

Lee Longhorn is a reporter at the Muscogee Nation News.