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RE: Use of language(s) in How I Became a Ghost
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From: tim tingle <timtingle_at_hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Feb 2014 17:52:07 +0000
Kathleen, Hoke is probably the most oft-used crossover word in Choctaw. Yes, I do like to build quiet bridges when I write, and made sure that even Jumper used a few Choctaw phrases. (a bi-lingual puppy!) And yes, I chose not to translate the word "Nahullo," so it could be better understood in the Choctaw context. Later in the book, when the Nahullo soldiers see or imagine their own grandmothers, and see how vicious Leader is encouraging them to become to Choctaw elders, Nahullo becomes a label of sympathy and concern. We like these Nahullos. We identify with them. And regarding the use of "Roundman," "Leader," and other descriptive terms rather than names for certain Nahullos, I am attempting a subtle reminder that West Culture often sees Natives as colorful beings rather than full-fledged humans, and I am returning the favor. "What is your Indian name?" I am often asked. I do have one. Ask if you want to know. Funny story.
Date: Thu, 20 Feb 2014 08:30:13 -0600 From: horning_at_education.wisc.edu Subject: [ccbc-net] Use of language(s) in How I Became a Ghost To: ccbc-net_at_lists.wisc.edu
One of the things I found remarkable about "How I Became a Ghost"
was the way in which Tim Tingle seamlessly integrated Choctaw words
into the English narrative. A lot of times when an author uses words
that are foreign to the reader, it has the effect of distancing the
reader from the text a bit. But it seemed to have the opposite
effect in "How I Became a Ghost" and, for the life of me, I'm not
sure why that is true.
Two examples:
Hoke, which means "okay" -- this is so similar to the English
word that it feels at once familiar and colloquial, and yet it's
enough different that it reminds us that Isaac speaks Choctaw and
it enriches the context for the story
Nahullos, which means people who are not Choctaw. Although
it's never said explicitly, based on their actions and behavior, I
took it to mean "white people," but because it is not defined that
way, for me as a reader, they were "other" and it was Isaac and his
people I identified with.
Tim, can you tell us a bit about the choices you made with Choctaw
words and phrases in the story? They are such a powerful part of
the narrative that I suspect they were selected with care.
--KT
-- Kathleen T. Horning Director Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) 4290 Helen C. White Hall 600 N. Park St Madison, WI 53706 http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc horning_at_education.wisc.edu 608-263-3721 (phone) 608-262-4933 (fax)
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Date: Thu, 20 Feb 2014 17:52:07 +0000
Kathleen, Hoke is probably the most oft-used crossover word in Choctaw. Yes, I do like to build quiet bridges when I write, and made sure that even Jumper used a few Choctaw phrases. (a bi-lingual puppy!) And yes, I chose not to translate the word "Nahullo," so it could be better understood in the Choctaw context. Later in the book, when the Nahullo soldiers see or imagine their own grandmothers, and see how vicious Leader is encouraging them to become to Choctaw elders, Nahullo becomes a label of sympathy and concern. We like these Nahullos. We identify with them. And regarding the use of "Roundman," "Leader," and other descriptive terms rather than names for certain Nahullos, I am attempting a subtle reminder that West Culture often sees Natives as colorful beings rather than full-fledged humans, and I am returning the favor. "What is your Indian name?" I am often asked. I do have one. Ask if you want to know. Funny story.
Date: Thu, 20 Feb 2014 08:30:13 -0600 From: horning_at_education.wisc.edu Subject: [ccbc-net] Use of language(s) in How I Became a Ghost To: ccbc-net_at_lists.wisc.edu
One of the things I found remarkable about "How I Became a Ghost"
was the way in which Tim Tingle seamlessly integrated Choctaw words
into the English narrative. A lot of times when an author uses words
that are foreign to the reader, it has the effect of distancing the
reader from the text a bit. But it seemed to have the opposite
effect in "How I Became a Ghost" and, for the life of me, I'm not
sure why that is true.
Two examples:
Hoke, which means "okay" -- this is so similar to the English
word that it feels at once familiar and colloquial, and yet it's
enough different that it reminds us that Isaac speaks Choctaw and
it enriches the context for the story
Nahullos, which means people who are not Choctaw. Although
it's never said explicitly, based on their actions and behavior, I
took it to mean "white people," but because it is not defined that
way, for me as a reader, they were "other" and it was Isaac and his
people I identified with.
Tim, can you tell us a bit about the choices you made with Choctaw
words and phrases in the story? They are such a powerful part of
the narrative that I suspect they were selected with care.
--KT
-- Kathleen T. Horning Director Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) 4290 Helen C. White Hall 600 N. Park St Madison, WI 53706 http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc horning_at_education.wisc.edu 608-263-3721 (phone) 608-262-4933 (fax)
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Received on Thu 20 Feb 2014 11:52:50 AM CST
