Wisconsin tribe races to save its dying language (fwd link)

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Wisconsin tribe races to save its dying language

By MEG JONES
MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL
March 21, 2009, 8:22PM

KESHENA, Wis. — The future of the Menominee tribal language had just awakened
from naps.

Seated at a small table, bare except for a label taped to the top that read
atuhpwan — the Menominee word for “table” — the tiny students spoke what
sounded to an untrained ear like gibberish.

Using flashcards held up by their teacher, the 2-year-olds pointed and repeated
the words kuapenakaehsaeh (“cup”), aemeskwan (“spoon”) and paeces kahekan
(“fork”). At home they’ve been known to ask their families for a snack using
the Menominee words for crackers and fruit instead of English.

“Their minds are like sponges,” said teacher Candy Mahkimetas, after quizzing
them on the words for “bear,” “dog” and “cat.” “This is the crucial age for
them to start speaking.”

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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/nation/6328709.html