New Life for Ancient Tongues

[Emmett Chase]

>From Parade Magazine, Oct. 20, 2002

   " Many American Indian tribes are developing programs to re-introduce
native languages into the primary-school curriculum.  For example, at
Cochiti Pueblo, NM, north of Albuquerque, language immersion begins early,
with a day-care program for infants and toddlers. Daily classes continue for
school-age children and even are offered to adults.  After 10 years of this
coordinated effort, Cochiti children can again be heard spontaneously
speaking their ancestral tongue, which is called Keres.
    For more information about efforts to revitalize native languages, you
can visit www.indigineous-language.org on the web."

    This was a sidebar in an article by Rosemary Zibart ("We Must Save Our
Voice") profiling Wes Studi, a Cherokee actor.  From the article: "He serves
as a spokesman for the Indigenous Language Institute (ILA), a Santa Fe-based
non-profit agency that supports the revitalization and preservation of
native languages threatened with extinction.
    "Of an estimated 500 American Indian languages that existed when
Columbus arrived, only 175 remain.  Of these, 40% have nearly disappeared:
Just a handful of elderly tribe members know the language.  Only 20 native
languages, mostly in the Southwest, retain speakers in all generations. . .
.
    "Studi is emcee for the annual Native Language Fair in Santa Fe, where
children from across the country perform songs and stories. . . .'It's not
just words,' says Studi.  'Language represents centuries of tribal wisdom.
When an American Indian child is capable of speaking his own language, it
links him to a group of people much larger than the family or the clan.'"

    Tony--any thoughts about taking your students to this language fair?