The Year the Cloud Fell
Page 34
Acknowledgments
It is with great humility that I acknowledge the primary source of inspiration and power for this novel: the Cheyenne people. Their culture, laws, wisdom, spirituality, and continued perseverance cannot fail but inspire any who learn of them. I have endeavored throughout the creation of this work to respect the traditions and wishes of the Cheyennes. As a result, I have incorporated none of the specifics of their sacred traditions and songs, except those that they themselves have seen fit to share with the outside world. The rest is theirs and theirs alone.
I would like to thank the linguists and scholars of the Cheyenne language who have made their work available to me. Their materials provided a deeper insight into the Cheyenne people and their culture.
For this second edition, I must thank the Faithful Few, readers of determined and singular devotion to this series. Their appreciation and encouragement are, in no small part, directly responsible for the completion of the Fallen Cloud Saga.
And finally, I would like to acknowledge the aid and encouragement of my wife, who suffered along with me during the time it took to bring this story to the page.
Cheyenne Pronunciation Guide
There are only 14 letters in the Cheyenne alphabet. They are used to create small words which can be combined to create some very long words. The language is very descriptive, and often combines several smaller words to construct a longer, more complex concept. The following are simplified examples of this subtle and intricate language, but it will give you some idea of how to pronounce the words in the text.
LETTER PRONUNCIATION
a “a” as in “water”
e short “i” as in “omit”
h “h” as in “home”
k “k” as in “skit”
m “m” as in “mouse”
n “n” as in “not”
o “o” as in “hope”
p “p” as in “poor”
s “s” as in “said”
š “sh” as in “shy”
t “t” as in “stop”
v “v” as in “value”
x “ch” as in “Bach”
‘ glottal stop as in “Uh-oh!”
The three vowels (a, e, o) can be marked for high pitch (á, é, ó) or be voiceless (whispered), as in â, ô, ê.
Also by Kurt R.A. Giambastiani
Dreams of the Desert Wind
Unraveling Time
The Ploughman Chronicles
Ploughman’s Son
Ploughman King
The Fallen Cloud Saga
The Year the Cloud Fell
The Spirit of Thunder
The Shadow of the Storm
The Cry of the Wind
Beneath a Wounded Sky
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http://www.seattleauthor.com