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<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>Hi All,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>We have happy news to share, below. It’s exciting
also because it’s the first of endangered language projects subsidized by
Rosetta Stone.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>~ ilse<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span class=hl><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt'>Ilse</span></font></span> <span class=hl><font size=2><span
style='font-size:10.0pt'>Ackerman</span></font></span><br>
<span class=hl><font size=2><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Editor-in-chief</span></font></span><br>
Rosetta Stone<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=4
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:14.0pt'>Chitimacha Tribe to
Develop Rosetta Stone Software<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> <st1:City w:st="on">ARLINGTON</st1:City>, <st1:State
w:st="on">Va.</st1:State>, Oct. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosetta Stone Inc., creator
of the world's No. 1 language-learning program, has formed a partnership with the
Chitimacha Tribe of <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Louisiana</st1:place></st1:State>
to develop a unique edition of the award-winning software in the tribe's
language, Sitimaxa.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> The tribe will own distribution and sales rights
to the tribal language version created through the Rosetta Stone Endangered
Language Program, which has developed culturally relevant language-learning
software with the Mohawk of Kahnawake, NANA Regional Corporation of <st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Alaska</st1:place></st1:State>, and other<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>indigenous communities.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> Through its new corporate grant program, the
global language-learning software company will underwrite a substantial portion
of development costs for the Sitimaxa software. Rosetta Stone has pledged to
underwrite at least one project per year with endangered language speaking
communities interested in developing editions of the cutting-edge immersion
learning software.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> "Our hope is that Sitimaxa Rosetta Stone(R) software
will be a tool that will make a difference in the vitality of the language of
the Chitimacha Tribe," said Marion Bittinger, manager of the Endangered Language
Program. "We look forward to working with the tribe to help realize their
vision for a living and growing language."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> On <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Louisiana</st1:place></st1:State>'s
coast, the Chitimacha tribe endured for century after century -. surviving war,
settlement and assimilation. This same determination to survive has allowed the
Chitimacha to revitalize their language, which they almost lost.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> "Language is really the heart of who you are.
It's not just about learning the words; it's about learning your past. It's
that connection," said Kimberly S. Walden, M.Ed., cultural director of the
1,000 member<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>tribe.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> The native tongue of the Chitimacha people almost
disappeared when its last fluent speaker died in 1934 and its last semi-fluent
speaker died in 1940. One generation, then another, grew up knowing no more
than a few words of the rich language of their ancestors.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> Then in 1986, the Library of Congress mailed the
tribe copies of wax cylinder recordings made in the 1930s by Swedish linguist
Morris Swadesh. Tribal members listened to over 200 hours of their language .- sounds
no one had heard in decades, a cultural treasure buried in archives for half a lifetime.
The Chitimacha began rebuilding these fragments back into a fluently spoken
language. They recovered field notes made by Swadesh and his wife to help
decode what was recorded.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> "The recordings were very hard to understand,
especially if you'd never heard the language spoken before," Walden said.
"You have to realize that, as long as I was growing up, all we had in
Sitimaxa was a few words on a museum brochure that no one could pronounce."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> In 1995, the Chitimacha tribe established a
cultural department. Employees asked archeological contractors in <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Louisiana</st1:State></st1:place> if they knew
of anyone familiar with the Chitimacha's language .- a long-shot request that, improbably,
paid off. Contractors suggested the tribe contact Dr. Julian Granberry, a
linguist and anthropologist living in <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Florida</st1:place></st1:State>
who had worked with Swadesh as a high school sophomore.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> Granberry, now 80, had studied their language for
decades, but had never visited the reservation. The tribe invited Granberry to
share his findings. "When Dr. Granberry spoke Sitimaxa to a group of
Chitimacha elders assembled at a meeting, some of the elders began to cry,"
said Walden. "Words started coming back. They remembered."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> With Granberry's help, the Chitimacha tackled the
Sitimaxa challenge, using the returned resources to develop dictionaries, curriculum,
primers and recordings. The tribe now offers Sitimaxa classes for students as
young as six weeks old at its child development center. Students in
kindergarten<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>through the eighth grade learn the language at the <st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Chitimacha</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Tribal</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">School</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>,
and adults in night classes.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> Rachel Vilcan was one of the first students in the
adult class. Now she's an aide in the K-8 Sitimaxa program. "The language
sounds natural; it sounds like it fits me, like it fits the area," Vilcan
said. "It was scary, at first, to be learning it as an adult, but the
desire to learn was stronger. It's our identity."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> Like other tribes working to bring tribal language
back into daily use, the Chitimacha's goal is to develop conversational fluency.
"We want to bring the language back to the point where we can use it
conversationally when we gather as a tribe," said Walden.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> Through its immersion-based software that can be
customized to reflect unique linguistic and cultural features, Rosetta Stone
will help the tribe solve this problem. The tribe will work with Rosetta Stone
to translate and record lessons in Sitimaxa. The paired audio recordings of
tribal speakers and images from the community will teach this endangered
language in culturally relevant context using the company's award-winning
Dynamic Immersion(TM) methodology.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> "I think the chances are very great that they
will succeed," Granberry said. "There has been for the last decade a
strong interest on the part of a large number of the tribal members."<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> Ilse Ackerman, editor-in-chief at Rosetta Stone, said
this language teaching tool multiplies existing efforts. "If you have a
small number of fluent speakers, student time with these teachers is valuable
and limited. The software can give students access to their teaching around the
clock, allowing communities to save valuable face-to-face instruction time for conversational
practice," said Ackerman.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> The Chitimacha Tribe will use the immersion-based
software to enhance ongoing education programs for children and adults. Tribal
members as far away as Guam and <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Germany</st1:place></st1:country-region>
will be able to learn Sitimaxa using CDs or through online access when the
project finishes.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> Communities interested in learning more about the
Rosetta Stone Endangered Language Program should visit the program's Web site, at:
http://www.RosettaStone.com/global/endangered, or call 1-800-788-0822, ext.5331.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> About the Rosetta Stone Endangered Language
Program<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> The Rosetta Stone Endangered Language Program
works with communities to develop unique immersion-learning software. The
Endangered Language Program worked with the Kanien'kehaka Onkwawen:na
Raotitiohkwa to develop Mohawk software for the community of Kahnawake in 2006,
and the NANA Corporation of <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Alaska</st1:place></st1:State>
to develop Inupiaq language learning software in 2007. The program and the
Torngasok Cultural Centre in <st1:place w:st="on">Labrador</st1:place> will
produce a version in Inuttitut.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> About Rosetta Stone Inc.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> Rosetta Stone Inc. is a leading provider of
language-learning software. Acclaimed for the speed, power and effectiveness of
its Dynamic Immersion(TM) method, Rosetta Stone is a revolutionary language-learning
software program. While teaching 30 languages to millions of people in more<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>than 150 countries throughout the world, Rosetta Stone
software is the key to Language Learning Success(TM). Inc. Magazine has named
Rosetta Stone Inc. one of the 500 fastest-growing companies in the United
States, and for the fourth consecutive year Deloitte has named the company one
of the<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>fastest-growing technology companies in <st1:State
w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Virginia</st1:place></st1:State>. Rosetta Stone
was founded in 1992 on two core beliefs: that the natural way people learn
languages as children remains the most successful method for learning new
languages; and that interactive CD-ROM and online technology can recreate the
immersion<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>method powerfully for learners of any age. The company
is based in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Arlington</st1:City>, <st1:State
w:st="on">Va.</st1:State></st1:place> For more information, visit http://www.RosettaStone.com.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> Rosetta Stone, Dynamic Immersion, and Language
Learning Success are trademarks of Rosetta Stone Ltd.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> For More Information:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> Peggy Lohmann Grete
Krohn<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> Rosetta Stone Carmichael
Lynch Spong<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> (703) 387-5835 (612)
375-8535<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'> plohmann@RosettaStone.com grete.krohn@clynch.com<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Denise Dixon<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Carmichael Lynch Spong<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>(612) 375-8523<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText style='text-indent:.5in'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>denise.dixon@clynch.com<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoPlainText><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:12.0pt'>SOURCE Rosetta Stone Inc.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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