Court rules against Yup ’'ik as an historically written language ...

[phil cash cash]

This ruling seems to express a deep bias of Western culture.  That is, 
written
language is taken to be the model product of language/cultural evolution
overall. 
Certainly, one could say that as a ruling it not just discriminates against
Yup’'ik speakers, but against most all indigenous languages in general, as
well as against oral-based cultures world wide. 
I wonder if a linguist/language historian provided expert testimony in 
favor of
the Yup’'ik. 
Phil Cash Cash (Cayuse/Nez Perce)
UofA

Quoting "Donald Z. Osborn" :

> What is the background on this category "historically written
> language"? (Academically, legally.) Although there may be a use for
> such a description, it sounds like it can too readily be misused as a
> pretext for linguistic discrimination.
>
> Don
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Indigenous Languages and Technology
> [mailto:ILAT at LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU] On Behalf Of phil cash cash
> Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 2:33 PM
> To: ILAT at LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
> Subject: [ILAT] Court rules against Yup’'ik as an historically written
> language (fwd media link)
>
> Alaska Public Radio Network (APRN)
>
> Court rules against Yup’'ik as an historically written language
>
> Fri, July 18, 2008
> Posted in Alaska News, Top Stories
>
> A Federal Judge has ruled that Yup'’ik is not an historically written
> language.
> The ruling is part of a lawsuit brought on by Yup’'ik elders and
> tribes against
> the State of Alaska and the City of Bethel. The ruling by Judge
> Timothy Burgess
> could limit the kind of language assistance the state is required to provide.
>
> Shane Iverson, KYUK - Bethel
>
> Access radio podcast below:
>
http://aprn.org/2008/07/18/court-rules-against-yupik-as-a-historically-written-language/


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