A dying language (fwd)

[awebster@siu.edu]

Obviously I was misquoted concerning the fact that not all 
speakers of Navajo are over the age of 45. Hopefully they will 
publish a correction on Wednesday. Best, akw

---------Included Message----------
>Date: 13-nov-2007 10:36:39 -0600
>From: "phil cash cash" <cashcash at EMAIL.ARIZONA.EDU>
>Reply-To: "Indigenous Languages and Technology" 
<ILAT at LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU>
>To: <ILAT at LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU>
>Subject: [ILAT] A dying language (fwd)
>
>A dying language
>Lecture on endangered Navajo language shows cultural importance
>
>Madeleine Leroux
>Issue date: 11/13/07
>http://media.www.siude.com/media/storage/paper1096/news/2007/11
/13/Campus/A.Dying.Language-3095323.shtml
>
>The Navajo language is disappearing.
>
>As part of Native American Heritage Month, assistant 
anthropology professor
>Anthony Webster lectured on the endangered Navajo language, 
analyzing
>portions of a performance by Navajo poet Laura Tohe, who came 
to SIUC in
>October 2006.
>
>Webster discussed the importance of Navajo language and its 
connection to
>the values and beliefs held by the Navajo people.
>
>"The Navajo language is deeply connected to the Navajo 
worldview," Webster
>said.
>
>Tohe spoke of language as a way to become intimate with the 
Navajo
>philosophy, Webster said - but the language is in trouble.
>
>"Navajo language has recently been described as an endangered 
language,"
>Webster said.
>
>During Tohe's visit, she spoke of punishments received on her 
reservation
>for speaking Navajo in school. The assimilation era, she said, 
tried to
>beat the native languages out.
>
>Webster said suppression of Navajo language during the 
assimilation era is a
>link to the now endangered state of Navajo language.
>
>"It clearly taps into a wider discourse on fairness and 
equality," Webster
>said.
>
>Navajo communities have the largest amount of speakers, 
Webster said, but
>they are all 45 years old or older. There's an entire 
generation of young
>Navajos who don't speak their language, he said.
>
>Lisa Kang, a community member of the Native American Student 
Organization,
>said dying native languages also show the dying culture of 
indigenous
>people.
>
>"Language is tied to culture," Kang said. "It's a fight to 
keep indigenous
>languages."
>
>If Navajo language is endangered, Webster said, then all other 
indigenous
>languages are also endangered.
>
>"Navajo has an essential place in the history of the United 
States," Webster
>said.
>
>Used as code in World War II, Webster and Tohe speak of Navajo 
language as
>being used to save America, but is now in need of saving.
>
>Madeleine Leroux can be reached at 536-3311 ext. 254 or 
mleroux at siu.edu.
>
>
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Anthony K. Webster, Ph.D.
Department of Anthropology
Southern Illinois University
Mail Code 4502
Carbondale, IL 62901-4502
618-453-5027