>> Navajo is unique in that words or phrases can change meaning with the
>> pitch of the voice (this according to my cousin who is fluent in
>> Navajo). For example words for related concepts such as: face, eyes, nose,
>> mouth, etc, are the same word just spoken with a higher or lower voice.
>>
>> For this reason it is very difficult to sing Navajo in the usual western
>> musical sense, since rises or drops in the melody line will alter the
>> meaning of the lyrics. It does however have chants.
Greetings,
For the past few days, listmembers of DEAF-L have been discussing the Navajo
language. They were discussing translating spoken sounds into Sign
Language. (Sign Language is the native language of the Deaf. There are
many dialects such as American Sign Language (ASL), Maritime Sign Language
(Canada) MSL, etc.) The question was how do you translate tonal sounds.
Sign Language uses the hands (both), the facial expression, the body, and
the space around the body to convey word meaning. (Sign Language of the
Deaf should not be confused with "Indian sign language".)
FYI, the Deaf (not to be confused with deaf) consider themselves to be a
distinct ethnic community, with their own language and culture. They face
many of the similiar challenges as do the Native communities.
Regards,
Va. Carper
carperv@FRB.GOV
(The Federal Reserve Board, U.S. Gov't.)
(Hearing but non-speaking)