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There is some very promising and important work going on to help preserve and keep the Passamaquoddy language alive.  The language is still spoken fluently by many of the older tribal members.  However, with the rapid changes in the world today, there is much concern that the language will not survive.  The  younger generations are not becoming fluent in the language.

The digital age has brought a new way of preserving, learning and teaching the language.  Multimedia computers now offer text, pictures, audio, video and  interactivity.  This new media has become a valuable tool with language preservation and revitalization.      .

The on reservation grade school provides some classroom instruction teaching  the Passamaquoddy language.

The Tribal Museum has a dictionary project currently underway.  This dictionary project has been ongoing for several years.  Currently there are about 20,000 words completed in the dictionary database.  Much of the database is in digital audio format.  It has been envisioned to make an interactive educational CD-ROM using this data.   Work is continuing on editing an additional 10,000 words.  It is not known when the final dictionary will be published.  Many words have been published on the Mi'kmaq - Maliseet Institute UNB Libraries' Electronic Text Centre Web Site.   The tribe is seeking additional funding to complete this very exciting and important dictionary project.

The Tribal Historic Preservation Department is working to help preserve certain aspects of the Passamaquoddy language.  See "Placenames CD" page.

There are many dedicated individuals doing important language revitalization work on their own as well.

Visit the Passamaquoddy Dictionary Website:

Maliseet - Passamaquoddy Dictionary  contains over 13,500 entries.  Editors-in-chief are David A. Francis Sr and Robert M. Leavitt. 

Copyright © 2003 Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point
Last modified:  03/30/2008 04:53:44 PM