Being a reader, I value the benefits of both print and electronic texts. The physical experience of holding a print book provides a level of comfort and focus that is hard to beat, but electronic texts offer convenience, accessibility, and portability. Furthermore, electronic texts allow for text-to-audio conversion, which enables me to keep up with my reading while on the go. My preference for either type of text does not disadvantage my ability to engage critically with academic texts. Rather, it is my reading practices and approach to the material that determines the amount of my engagement in a text. Regardless of the format - I always try to take notes, ask questions, and reflect on what I read to strengthen my understanding and analysis. …show more content…
Erdrich reveals a strong affection for the Ojibwe language mentioning that the Ojibwe language was last spoken in their family by their grandfather, Patrick Gourneau, which contributes to their emotional connection to the language. The suppression of the Ojibwe language by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and religious boarding schools is also mentioned, emphasizing the struggle of fluent speakers to preserve the language, including instances where it was physically beaten out of people. These elements create a powerful connection between the author, the language, the reader, and the world - showing that the topic of the Ojibwe language and its history is …show more content…
The other concepts, such as the relationship between Ojibwe and religion and the basic grammar of the Ojibwe language, may demand prior knowledge to fully understand. Within this text I found myself rereading one passage which was: “Nouns are mainly designated as alive or dead, animate or inanimate. The word for stone, asin, is animate. Stones are called grandfathers and grandmothers and are extremely important in Ojibwe philosophy.” I reread this to better grasp these concepts because they concern ideas and relationships that are new to my