Our catch phrase is on its way.

Dear Fellow Earthlings,

Nya:weh sgaenO! This is the Seneca expression equivalent to “How are you!”, “Ogenki desuka?”, and “Comment allez-vous?” By the way, capitalized vowels in Seneca indicate that they are nasalised -- and a colon ( : ) after a vowel indicates that it is pronounced twice as long as a vowel without a colon.

“G” (See Installment 136, which was released on November 19, 2013.) and I are once again working on the GaEnO’ (The Jingles for Seneca). This time, I have the help of Ms. A and Ms. H, who are Jingles instructors. They are enjoying learning Seneca with me as we help “G” develop the Seneca equivalents of “Jingles A through J” that we use for English and “Sonorettes A jusqu’à J” that we use for French.

At “G”’s request, the GaEnO’ do not use letters of the alphabet but rather numbers for their names. GaEnO’ One is called “GaEnO’ Sgaad”. GaEnOo’ Two is called “GaEnO’ Dekhni:h”. The remaining 8 GaEnH’ (“GaEnO’shO’’Oh” if we use the plural) are : sEh, gei:h, wis, ye:i’, dza:dak, degyO’, johdO:h. and washE:h (Which mean “three”, “four”,”five”, ”,”six”, ”,”seven”, ”,”eight”, ”,”nine”, and ”ten”, respectively.).

Part of the reason “Onondowa’ga’” (the actual Seneca word for the Seneca language) is heading for extinction is that its few remaining native speakers do not wish to share such a private, precious thing with non-Seneca people. I agree with these elders, but know that unless it is shared with the world-at-large, Seneca will continue as a relic at best.

To the Seneca people, I humbly request to help preserve your language. I will not attempt to use these efforts for personal gain, but rather to help you hold on to a most precious part of your heritage and identity.

The first gaEnO’ is :

GaEnO’ Sga:d: OgatO:dEh dza:dak ni:yO:h oisdaga:h. YodOh gE:s “SatSi’wA:nOh.” Da:nEh swagahdEjO:h dwaknOhso:d heswage:nOh.

(which translated to English, is:

Jingle One: I heard the bells ringing seven times. She used to say, “Go see it.” Then I went back home – I went back to my house.)

Steve Walker Earthsaver and Jingles Creator

© 2013 Steve Walker, The Jingles-The Japan Foundation for English Pronunciation, Summit Enterprises.