Chickasaw Language Preservation Efforts Underway (fwd)

[phil cash cash]

Monday, January 10, 2005 - 4:06:52 PM

Chickasaw Language Preservation Efforts Underway
http://www.kten.com/article.asp?id=5909

>From news release:

The Chickasaw language is currently spoken by a relatively small number
of older persons. The language is in danger of being lost unless steps
are taken to revitalize it, wrote Dr. William J. Pulte in a recently
proposed plan to help revitalize the Chickasaw language.

Dr. Pulte is one of two highly-qualified linguists who will offer
instruction on teaching theory and language curriculum development at
Murray State College beginning February 19.

These classes are part of a long-term plan to revitalize the Chickasaw
language.

Dr. Durbin Feeling and Dr. William J. Pulte will teach the course
designed to give language facilitators the knowledge of teaching theory
and curriculum development needed to help design community-based
Chickasaw language classes.

Language facilitators will team with fluent Chickasaw speakers as paid
employees to design and teach classes for two different groups.

Classes will help those who understand and speak some Chickasaw to
become fluent speakers.

As the number of proficient Chickasaw speakers increases, the scope and
number of classes can be increased.

Other classes will be structured to teach Chickasaw to those with no
knowledge of the language, and will be tailored to age ranges from pre
kindergarten, grade school, high school and adults.

These classes should complement each other as parents learn to talk to
their Head Start through college age children.

Current plans are to continue offering language classes for language
facilitators who will team with fluent speakers to teach
community-based classes on an ongoing basis.

Dr. Feeling has more than 25 years experience planning and teaching
Cherokee courses in northeastern Oklahoma and is a leader among Native
American language specialists.

Dr. Pulte is the author of a pioneering study of Chickasaw that pointed
out for the first time significant differences between the Chickasaw
and Choctaw languages. He is a nationally known linguist who
specializes in the study of Native American languages and has worked
with bilingual programs serving Cherokee, Choctaw and Spanish speaking
students.

Dr. Pulte and Dr. Feeling will be assisted as needed by Dr. Abigail
Bartoshesky, an expert in methods and techniques proven effective in
language teaching. Dr. Bartoshesky recently completed her doctorate in
language teaching at George Washington University, where she worked
with some of the most outstanding specialists in the field of language
learning.

Language Facilitators Needed

Language facilitators and fluent Chickasaw speakers are being sought for
a plan to revitalize and preserve the Chickasaw language.

A three-hour college-credit class in language teaching methods will be
offered through Murray State College six Saturdays beginning February
19 and ending April 9.

Approximately 30 students will be accepted into the class.

This class is designed to provide language facilitators with the
knowledge and skills needed to work with fluent speakers in offering
community based language classes beginning in summer 2005.

Several paid positions are being created for fluent speakers of
Chickasaw and language facilitators who will pair up as teaching teams
in various communities across the Chickasaw Nation.

These community-based classes will be open to the public at no charge.

Ideal candidates for language facilitators will have some knowledge of
Chickasaw and some teaching experience.

A teaching certificate is not required and teaching experience can be as
informal as teaching a Sunday school class or as formal as classroom
teaching.

For information, contact Terri Haney at (580) 332-8478