Two Easy Tips to Sound Tutelo

[Linda]

It's really very easy, just . . .


Reverse Everything

1. In English, we almost always accent an odd-numbered syllable. In Tutelo, you accent the even-numbered syllables. Just do that, and the music starts and you stop stumbling.

Remember, it's pi LA huc, not PILL a HOOK. (Now doesn't that just sound SO much better.)

2. Reverse word order. That's what I intend to do before I have any real idea whatsever of what I'm doing, I'm just going to take anything I want to say and say it backwards. 'I'm going to the store' becomes 'the store going I am.' I'm sure there's much more to it, but for now, it just makes me feel perfectly clever and in the know, so I'm ready to go.

[spilleddi]

Thank you Linda, for your common sense explanation. That’s a good rule of thumb for stress, also when in doubt you can stress the second syllable in words. Just remember that the marks over vowels indicate stress when its known.

Yep, to think like a Tutelo you need to think backward. I’m going to the store may come out more like ‘store the to I going’ or ‘store the to me going’ but you got the gist of it. The most important thing is to start using words.

[Felicia]

If it isn't on a tape then I'd mess-up the sounds ... whew... looks tough ... sounds tough???

[Linda]

Sound files are coming. Don't think tough, think pretty. It sounds pretty. The rhythm and the melody will come through once you give it a whirl.

[sammarroq]

Sound files are coming. Don't think tough, think pretty. It sounds pretty. The rhythm and the melody will come through once you give it a whirl.

Linda,

Sound files would be wonderful! I do agree, though it took a few rounds through many of the words to see...it is rather pretty...when you get the accents in the right spot!

[spilleddi]

I’m working on sound files right now. Anyone else who wants to give it a shot is also welcome to try, the more voices used the better. I’m using Oliverio as a guide, but I’ve never studied a Siouan language before, so I’m probably pronouncing these words with a good northwest Indian accent.

[Felicia]

Could you give instructions on the use of the sound files and adding to them to help you out?