Tribes strive to revive vanishing native languages (fwd link)

[phil cash cash]

Tribes strive to revive vanishing native languages

Monday Mar 23, 2009
Paul Harris
The New Zealand Herald

In the unlikely surroundings of a cluttered art room in a rural Oklahoma high
school, a dying language was being given the kiss of life.

Bud Yackeshi got to his feet in front of 20 or so fellow members of his Comanche
tribe and recited a blessing. "We ask you to be here, Lord, for us and the
people who speak here tonight," he said in the language of his ancestors. Then
the Comanche lesson began.

Across the United States, similar scenes are being played out as Native American
tribes try to revive their languages, many of which are on the edge of
extinction. Efforts range from college courses and immersion schools for young
people to simply recording the languages before the last native speakers die.

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