Passamaquoddy-Maliseet Dictionary Released

Mike Webster, Online Content Producer

2 years ago

(NEWS CENTER) -- It took thirty years to put together, but there is now a printed Passamaquoddy-Maliseet dictionary. Wednesday afternoon, the University of Maine held a ceremony to honor the efforts of everyone who helped make it possible.

It's the first time a dictionary such as this has been printed.

Wayne Newell, the director for Bilingual Education for Maine Indian Education, says the project started in Indian Township in 1970 and is important to Native Americans so the language can be carried on to future generations.

"Our language is structured in such a way, its a verb language. It's not a noun language. So it's very interactive with verbs, so thats why some of the words are so long. You can say a complete sentence in our language with one word."

The dictionary is available at local bookstores.

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