Translation?

I just posted something about this on Craigslist locally, but while I was writing it up, I realized there's a vast number of people from a variety of backgrounds here... why not ask.

A few years back I recited the Apache Wedding Prayer at my best friend's wedding. Soon after the wedding, life got manic and my focus shifted on other things. Well, I'm preparing some projects for her daughters (as a congrats for improving their grades) and remembered that I'd found a copy of the 'scroll' I made for the wedding. My goal was to have it translated into Apache/Cherokee/Navajo... or any one of the native languages. Since I don't know if there is a written Apache langauge, I'm willing to accept anything else, as long as it's in a Native language and accurately translated.

Is there anyone here who can help, or who knows of someone who can help? You would make me one happy person. I've looked for info online about translating it, but haven't found anything that can really help.

Amanda

Here's an online English/Cherokee translator:

http://www.wehali.com/tsalagi/

I found that before... one problem: when you translate, the way something is phrased, how the words are laid out, is usually completely different. I can certainly translate each word, but if someone were to come along and try to read it (and knew how), it would most likely not make any sense. I took German in college, so I know translation is not easy. That's why I'd rather have someone who knows the native language to do it. Then they can get it right.

Thanks,
Amanda

I really don't know if this will help but perhaps it's a start. I would try starting or posting on genealogical websites. Usually you can find someone who is willing to answer your questions/guide you to where you need to go.

I have not searched this particular forum but maybe start here?

http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec?ht....natam.nations

I posted a message there.. maybe it'll help.

Thanks. I never would have thought of the geneology boards. When I went to that board the thought occured to me that my 'mystery' ancestor culd very well have been Apache. I was told by my Native American Lit. prof several years ago that what typically happened when the natives were forced onto reservations, the American Gov't wanted to include them in the census but since no one could tell them what year they were born or what their 'surname' was, they were assigned a European surname. So if one has an ancestor who seemed to 'appear out of nowhere' on the family tree and is from a region where there were rez's, and during that time period, it's entirely possible that you have Native blood. I have one such guy in my blood line. no clue where he came from, but he had an Anglo surname and we have a death date and place, but no birth date or place. I talked to that professor about it, and he said it's very possible that my ancestor was native and living on a reservation. What tribe, no one can tell. I can only guess.

Anyway, thanks! Maybe this LONG overdue project will get done after all.

Amanda