Trying To Save A Language (fwd)

[Phil Cash Cash]

Trying To Save A Language

July 8, 2003
By Brian Calvert
http://www.komotv.com/stories/25908.htm

SEATTLE - A UW linguist is about to move to Alaska in order to help save
a language.

On a trip to the Pribilof Islands back in 1975, Alice Taff discovered
that the youngest people speaking the native language, known as Aleut,
were in their 20s and 30s. Next month, she'll move north to help change
that.

"This is another effort in an ongoing series of activities," she says.

Many young people know the basics of Aleut, but fluent conversation is
the next big hurdle. She says to really learn it, you have to live
among the people.

"Listening to the mother tell her child to sweep the floor, or sit in
with the guys as they play cards."

Taff will move north and help produce CDs and videos in the Aleut
language. But the work could take a while, simply because she's working
with a big family.

"And they all have to agree on the language. Does your family completely
agree all the time?"

Taff says it could take 10, maybe 20 years, but Aleut will resurface,
allowing these Alaskans to thank Taff in their native tongue.