'How to protect our language s' (fwd l i nk)

[Rolland Nadjiwon]

A major problem with English, as I see it, English is very portable, capable
of expressing and discussing immense abstraction, speculation and is not
dependent on place or time. I agree all language is a tool. However, as I
see it, when tools come into a culture and bring with them their own
cultural meanings, we have a situation of assimilation. If the cultural
values of the receiving cultures imbue that tool with their own separate and
independent cultural meanings for that tool it is integrated. Otherwise, it
is culturally destructive in the same manner as was Christianity, itself
being speculative, portable and abstract. The destructiveness of both, in my
opinion, are in their use as tools of imperialism and total assimilation.a
situation not necessitated by the tools.

 

I live at the headwaters of Lake Superior, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. A
large content of our language regards water in the particular and as well,
ceremonies and rituals particular again to this place - this earth, this
water. I would think, therefore, language, and in particular indigenous
peoples' languages grow with and from unique and culturally exclusive
experiences of place and relationship.

 

Just a quick thought for an exciting Friday evening.lol. Have a great week
end. 

 

-------

wahjen

rolland nadjiwon

___________________________________________

You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it....

 

 

  _____  

From: Indigenous Languages and Technology [mailto:ILAT at LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU]
On Behalf Of Richard Zane Smith
Sent: September-09-11 7:41 AM
To: ILAT at LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU
Subject: Re: [ILAT] 'How to protect our language s' (fwd l ink)

 

many of us in the process of revitalizing a threatened language know its not
just "language"

we are resurrecting ,but the lifeways that the language is imbedded in. 

 

modern generic english is a useful tool - IF its understood NOT as a
replacement language,

but as a tool (as I'm using it here) for cross-cultural and or generic
exchange.Even in that way

it can have its own beauty,poetry and function...as a steel tool might
"surpass" a stone tool.

 

English feels like the ENEMY when its lost its context and becomes THE
LANGUAGE.

As when English became the language of cultural conquest used in boarding
schools here.

 

generic-english might be that invasive species WHEN it's USED consciously or
unconsciously

as a tool to REPLACE or undermine another's cultural thinking pattern. But I
doubt most peoples 

of the world would give up the use of steel (as an invasive species) simply
because it didn't

arise from our own indigenous culture.


always love these kinds of thoughtful exchanges on this forum! (stretching
our english too!)

 

ske:nonh (peace/well-being)

Richard Zane Smith

Wyandotte, Oklahoma

 

 

 

On Wed, Sep 7, 2011 at 5:50 PM, Anna Weil <everyshadow at gmail.com> wrote:

I completely agree with the 'invasive species' metaphor. As someone
interested in language preservation who is also currently studying TEFL, I
have mixed feelings about the field - I'd like to get a job overseas and
teach, but I'd rather also learn whatever language is spoken wherever I go
than only promote mine. It seems to me that English is becoming a necessary
skill in our global world, so it is important that people learn it.
Economically, they might be better off being able to speak English. But they
must also understand the importance of their own language and find ways to
keep it alive as well. Shouldn't everyone be at least bilingual in this
world? We might all end up speaking English, but as long as the other
languages also remain alive I'm basically ok with that fact. The problem is,
other languages are dying out. We need more organizations like the Living
Tongues Institute encouraging speakers of minority languages to keep on
speaking, although that is not a final solution. 

~Anna Weil 





 

-- 

"this language of mine,of yours,is who we are and who we have been.It is
where we find our stories,our lives,our ancestors;and it should be where we
find our future too"   Simon Anaviapik ... Inuit

 

richardzanesmith.wordpress.com

 

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