Where does the Nuu-chah-nulth language come from?
Linguistically, Nuu-chah-nulth is in the Wakashan Language Family. Language is a spoken medium, whereas writing is an approximation of language. Writing languages is important because it provides the opportunity for repetition and, therefore, the opportunity to learn. There would be no need to use writing as a means for teaching a language if there were many fluent speakers of that language. -page 17 Nuu-chah-nulth phrasebook
Nuu-chah-nulth Phrase Book Barkley Sound Dialect (Blue Book)
Each section corresponds with portions of the book Nuu-chah-nulth Phrasebook: Barkley Sound Dialect by the Barkley Sound working group Huu-ay-aht, Ucluelet, Uchucklesaht, and Toquaht First Nations. Below are links to each section from the book. On each page are the audio pronunciation of the phrase, the English version, an easy read (phonetic), and the Nuu-chah-nulth spelling. To download a PDF copy of the Blue book click Here
Table of Contents: Huu-ay-aht phrases
Common phrases (pages 33-37)
Introductions & Greetings (pages 39-40)
Personal Phrases (pages 41-44)
Land and Properties (pages 46-49)
About My Home (page 59 and 60 only)
At Home (pages 64-67)
At School (pages 68-71)
Season & Weather (pages 73-74)
Ben’s Phrases (pages 75-77)
Language Books:
Below are links to download PowerPoint slides and PDFs of Nuu-chah-nulth language books. Some of the books feature accompanying audio tracks usable through PowerPoint.
Books with audio
Animals
Body
Colours
Family
Books without audio
Huu-ay-aht Phrases
Huu-ay-aht Numbers
Nuu-chah-nulth Barkley dialect lessons:
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
Lesson 3
Lesson 4
Paawats Language Lessons
Nuu-chah-nulth language resources:
Below are links to valuable Nuu-chah-nulth and Huu-ay-aht language resources to aid in learning.
North Island College Nuu-chah-nulth language courses
Our World-Our Ways: Taat’aaqsapa Cultural Dictionary
Pronunciation guide
Phonetic alphabet and pronunciation
Hinitinyis Language resources
Kwistuup
Huu-ay-aht First Nations Language Lessons
First Voices Nuu-chah-nulth (Barkley)
Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Language Resource
Language Geek: Download the Nuu-chah-nulth keyboard for your computer! The Huu-ay-aht keyboard is under Nuučaan̓uł.