We have been hard at work building a Dinjii Zhuh Ginjik database to help provide resources for language learners. We are excited to release the first major product from the database, our online dictionary!
We have also provided a list of references below that have been critical in our work and that we think you may enjoy learning from as well!
A Few Important things to note about the online dictionary:
1. The dictionary content only represents a small portion of the Gwich’in language. More to come!
2. This is a “living” dictionary, meaning it will receive corrections and grow over time, as we continue to work on it.
3. We want you to help us make it better! There is a “comment” button on every entry, so please let us know if there are any technical issues with the entry or if you find a possible spelling or translation error. Also, if you just think a word is cool, let us know! Please be as detailed as possible with any input for our team.
Click the button below to begin exploring the Online Dictionary!
References
In addition to the knowledge and insight of the Dinjii Zhuh K’yaa first language speakers who contributed to this dictionary, we also consulted the following sources:
Alexander, V., & Alexander, C. (2011). Gwich’in to English Dictionary (KU979AA2011). Alaska Native Language Center.
Andre, A., & Fehr, A. (2000). Gwich’in Ethnobotany, Plants used by the Gwich’in for Food, Medicine, Shelter and Tools. Gwich’in Social and Cultural Institute and Aurora Research Institute.
Busch, J. (2000). Finding your way through a story: Direction Terms in Gwich’in Narrative [Research Paper].
Bushey, S. T. (2021). Western Gwich’in Classificatory Verbs. University of Alaska Fairbanks.
de Reuse, W. (2022). Gwich’in Tone Marking, A Citizen’s Guide. unpublished.
Drake, D., Gamboa, M. R., Harcharek, J., Joseph, F., O’Connor, N., Partnow, P., Scott, J., Tritt-Frank, C., & Williams, P. (n.d.). Lesson plans and Educational Materials for all K-12 Gwich’in Language and Culture courses [dataset]. Retrieved May 20, 2022, from https://yukonflats.rubiconatlas.org/
Garnett, L., Marlow, P., & Sikorski, K. (1997). Gwich’in Literacy Workshop: ANL 108. Alaska Native Language Center & University of Alaska Fairbanks; Alaska Native Language Center.
James, L., & Mueller, D. (Eds.). (1994). Western Gwich’in Topical Dictionary (KU960M1991). Alaska Native Language Center & the Summer Institute of Linguistics; Alaska Native Language Center.
Kingston, J. (2005). The Phonetics of Athabaskan Tonogenesis. In Athabaskan Prosody (pp. 137–184). John Benjamins Publishing Company. DOI:10.1075/cilt.269.09kin
Kwaraceius, J. (1992). Human Anatomy. Alaska Native Language Center.
Las, K. J. (2006). Gwich’in Particles. Working Papers in Athabaskan Languages, 6. Alaska Native Language Center.
Leer. (1975a). Gwich’in thematic transformations (KU973L1975e). Alaska Native Language Center.
Leer, J. (1975b). Preliminary report on Gwich’in tone analysis (KU973L1975h; p. 75). Alaska Native Language Center.
Leer, J. (1975c). [Stem list] [Hand-written notes]. Alaska Native Language Center.
Leer, J. (1978). Gwich’in derivational strings (KU973L1978a). Alaska Native Language Center.
Leer, J. (1980). Gwich’in Verb Conjugation Charts. Alaska Native Language Center.
Leer, J. (1990). Tone in Alaskan Gwich’in (KU973L1990). Alaska Native Language Center; Alaska Native Language Center.
Leer, J., & Peter, A. (1980). [Gwich’in notes.]. Alaska Native Language Center.
Leer, J., & Peter, K. (Eds.). (1999). [Gwich’in stem-based lexical file] (KU973L1999). Alaska Native Language Center.
Mishler, C., & Frank, K. (Eds.). (2019). Dinjii Vadzaih Dhidlit/The Man Who Became a Caribou (2nd ed.). IPI Press.
O’Brien, T., A. (2011). Gwich’in Athabascan Implements: History, Maufacture, and Usage According to Reverend David Salmon. University of Alaska Press.
Peter, H. (2003). ANL 141, 142 (Beginning Gwich’in) Class Materials (KU998S2003). Alaska Native Language Center.
Peter, K. & Peter, H. (2024). Gwich’in Verb Paradigms.
Peter, K. (Ed.). (1979). Dinjii Zhuh Ginjik Nagwan Tr’iłtsąįį. Alaska Native Language Center & The National Bilingual Materials Development Center.
Sapir, E., Haas, M., & Golla, V. (1964). [Gwich’in stem list] (KU923SHG1964). Alaska Native Language Center.
Sikorski, K. (1996). Applied Gwich’in Grammar- Notes (KU973L1996). Alaska Native Language Center.
Timme, C., & Peter, K. (1974). Gwich’in Verbs (KU974T1974). Alaska Native Language Center.