Alaska declares emergency for Native American languages

[Tommy Tainant]

Many tribes across the United States have or are losing their language, it isn’t being taught or used in the tribal schools and the tribe elders in many tribes are not using or promoting their language.
I’m not sure why the Indian tribes aren’t pushing it to those it would mean the most to.

They are. This is a great initiative.
Mission | Alaska Native Language Center

The center strives to raise public awareness of the gravity of language loss worldwide but particularly in the North. Of the state's twenty Native languages, only two (Siberian Yupik in two villages on St. Lawrence Island, and Central Yup'ik in seventeen villages in southwestern Alaska) are spoken by children as the first language of the home.

Like every language in the world, each of those twenty is of inestimable human value and is worthy of preservation. ANLC, therefore, continues to document, cultivate, and promote those languages as much as possible and thus contribute to their future and to the heritage of all Alaskans.

 

[CarlinAnnArbor]

Like every language in the world, each of those twenty is of inestimable human value and is worthy of preservation. ANLC, therefore, continues to document, cultivate, and promote those languages as much as possible and thus contribute to their future and to the heritage of all Alaskans

Why? 1,200 people speaking this primitive language. What is the purpose of language?

 

[Soupnazi630]

Emergency is the correct word when only a handful of people speak the language. Once they are gone that is the end of it. Why are you trying to drag this issue into your nutty anti gay agenda ? This should be something that people can agree needs to be addressed.

How about instead a more accurate neutral phrase like “an ongoing problem nearing the end”. Not one poster here objects to Natives recovering their language. Why would anyone object to that?

YOU accused that conservatives were against it so YOU betrayed a political agenda behind this story.

Alaska Native languages - Wikipedia
Look at the numbers. You can see that emergency is accurate. Why does that offend you ? Its not a Gay word you know.

It is not an emergency

Emergencies are not defined by numbers.

A language dying out due to lack of use harms no one

 

[Soupnazi630]

Many tribes across the United States have or are losing their language, it isn’t being taught or used in the tribal schools and the tribe elders in many tribes are not using or promoting their language.
I’m not sure why the Indian tribes aren’t pushing it to those it would mean the most to.

They are. This is a great initiative.
Mission | Alaska Native Language Center

The center strives to raise public awareness of the gravity of language loss worldwide but particularly in the North. Of the state's twenty Native languages, only two (Siberian Yupik in two villages on St. Lawrence Island, and Central Yup'ik in seventeen villages in southwestern Alaska) are spoken by children as the first language of the home.

Like every language in the world, each of those twenty is of inestimable human value and is worthy of preservation. ANLC, therefore, continues to document, cultivate, and promote those languages as much as possible and thus contribute to their future and to the heritage of all Alaskans.

It is an idiotic wasteful initiative

 

[Soupnazi630]

I am a bit surprised that so many conservatives are hostile to this initiative. I thought that you would support people trying to preserve their culture.

You feign surprise there Tommy. Nobody is hostile to it. Though the word “hostile” does carry an emotional charge. Like “emergency!” In the OP narrative.

Who decided on the new theme? Was it Mook Mafia? Soros?

Emergency is the correct word when only a handful of people speak the language. Once they are gone that is the end of it. Why are you trying to drag this issue into your nutty anti gay agenda ? This should be something that people can agree needs to be addressed.

this is totally ridiculous
if it's the end it's the end

Alaskans dont think so.

You are clueless about what they think

 

[RoshawnMarkwees]

Alaska declares emergency for Native American languages

Alaska has declared an emergency for Native American languages, aiming to promote and preserve all 20 recognized indigenous tongues in the state before they die out.

The order signed this week by the state governor, Bill Walker, directs the state education commissioner to work with partners to promote indigenous languages in public education, KTOO Public Media in Juneau reported.

It also directs the state to use traditional Alaska Native place names on public signs. The order instructs state commissioners to designate a tribal liaison tasked with producing a plan to boost collaboration with Alaska Native partners.

It is sad that it has come to this but heartening that the Governer has taken action. Well done Alaska.

So, what used to sound like “White man speak with forked tongue” is now worded as “Da man be keepin dis nigga down” or “Gringo esta muy malo”.
What’s the problem? Sounds like a sideways move.

 

[Papageorgio]

Many tribes across the United States have or are losing their language, it isn’t being taught or used in the tribal schools and the tribe elders in many tribes are not using or promoting their language.
I’m not sure why the Indian tribes aren’t pushing it to those it would mean the most to.

They are. This is a great initiative.
Mission | Alaska Native Language Center

The center strives to raise public awareness of the gravity of language loss worldwide but particularly in the North. Of the state's twenty Native languages, only two (Siberian Yupik in two villages on St. Lawrence Island, and Central Yup'ik in seventeen villages in southwestern Alaska) are spoken by children as the first language of the home.

Like every language in the world, each of those twenty is of inestimable human value and is worthy of preservation. ANLC, therefore, continues to document, cultivate, and promote those languages as much as possible and thus contribute to their future and to the heritage of all Alaskans.

Alaska isn’t the only place losing their native language, many tribes in the states have their language dying. They failed to pass it down or the children did not see the benefit of carrying on the language. This tribe in Alaska didn’t see the importance of their language and culture until there were only five people left speaking the language, seems very shortsighted by the native Americans. I hope they can preserve it.

 

[Polishprince]

Many tribes across the United States have or are losing their language, it isn’t being taught or used in the tribal schools and the tribe elders in many tribes are not using or promoting their language.
I’m not sure why the Indian tribes aren’t pushing it to those it would mean the most to.

They are. This is a great initiative.
Mission | Alaska Native Language Center

The center strives to raise public awareness of the gravity of language loss worldwide but particularly in the North. Of the state's twenty Native languages, only two (Siberian Yupik in two villages on St. Lawrence Island, and Central Yup'ik in seventeen villages in southwestern Alaska) are spoken by children as the first language of the home.

Like every language in the world, each of those twenty is of inestimable human value and is worthy of preservation. ANLC, therefore, continues to document, cultivate, and promote those languages as much as possible and thus contribute to their future and to the heritage of all Alaskans.

Alaska isn’t the only place losing their native language, many tribes in the states have their language dying. They failed to pass it down or the children did not see the benefit of carrying on the language. This tribe in Alaska didn’t see the importance of their language and culture until there were only five people left speaking the language, seems very shortsighted by the native Americans. I hope they can preserve it.

Its not just Alaska and it just isn't Indian tribes. Languages in the backwaters of Africa, Europe and Asia are also disappearing.

 

[Silhouette]

Its not just Alaska and it just isn't Indian tribes. Languages in the backwaters of Africa, Europe and Asia are also disappearing.

So, vote democrat and it will stop? Seems to be the OP’s message.

 

[Tommy Tainant]

Many tribes across the United States have or are losing their language, it isn’t being taught or used in the tribal schools and the tribe elders in many tribes are not using or promoting their language.
I’m not sure why the Indian tribes aren’t pushing it to those it would mean the most to.

They are. This is a great initiative.
Mission | Alaska Native Language Center

The center strives to raise public awareness of the gravity of language loss worldwide but particularly in the North. Of the state's twenty Native languages, only two (Siberian Yupik in two villages on St. Lawrence Island, and Central Yup'ik in seventeen villages in southwestern Alaska) are spoken by children as the first language of the home.

Like every language in the world, each of those twenty is of inestimable human value and is worthy of preservation. ANLC, therefore, continues to document, cultivate, and promote those languages as much as possible and thus contribute to their future and to the heritage of all Alaskans.

Alaska isn’t the only place losing their native language, many tribes in the states have their language dying. They failed to pass it down or the children did not see the benefit of carrying on the language. This tribe in Alaska didn’t see the importance of their language and culture until there were only five people left speaking the language, seems very shortsighted by the native Americans. I hope they can preserve it.

Alaska Native languages - Wikipedia

It was only after American colonization when missionary and General Agent of Education of the Alaska Territory Sheldon Jackson arrived in Alaska in 1885 did the use of native Alaska languages start to plummet. Jackson implemented an "English Only" policy within the school, legal, and political systems, and any violation to the rule was met with physical and mental punishments and abuse. In 1924, the Alaska Voter's Literacy Act was passed, which demanded native Alaskan citizens to pass an English literacy test before earning the right to vote. This act further decreased the use of Native Alaska languages. Today, many of the Native Alaska languages are either on the brink of extinction or already extinct.[6]

I know that its wikipedia but this rings true. People were actively discouraged from using the language. We had that in Wales when they attempted to wipe out Welsh. The language is marginalised when English is the only route to education and a better life. It still goes on today.

HSBC tells Welsh customer not to complain in 'foreign' language

 

[Tommy Tainant]

Its not just Alaska and it just isn't Indian tribes. Languages in the backwaters of Africa, Europe and Asia are also disappearing.

So, vote democrat and it will stop? Seems to be the OP’s message.

Why are you trying to make this a partisan issue. the only politician quoted is the Governer who is apparently an independent.

 

[Unkotare]

Many tribes across the United States have or are losing their language, it isn’t being taught or used in the tribal schools and the tribe elders in many tribes are not using or promoting their language.
I’m not sure why the Indian tribes aren’t pushing it to those it would mean the most to.

They are. This is a great initiative.
Mission | Alaska Native Language Center

The center strives to raise public awareness of the gravity of language loss worldwide but particularly in the North. Of the state's twenty Native languages, only two (Siberian Yupik in two villages on St. Lawrence Island, and Central Yup'ik in seventeen villages in southwestern Alaska) are spoken by children as the first language of the home.

Like every language in the world, each of those twenty is of inestimable human value and is worthy of preservation. ANLC, therefore, continues to document, cultivate, and promote those languages as much as possible and thus contribute to their future and to the heritage of all Alaskans.

It is an idiotic wasteful initiative

Why?

 

[Unkotare]

Emergency is the correct word when only a handful of people speak the language. Once they are gone that is the end of it. Why are you trying to drag this issue into your nutty anti gay agenda ? This should be something that people can agree needs to be addressed.

How about instead a more accurate neutral phrase like “an ongoing problem nearing the end”. Not one poster here objects to Natives recovering their language. Why would anyone object to that?

YOU accused that conservatives were against it so YOU betrayed a political agenda behind this story.

Alaska Native languages - Wikipedia
Look at the numbers. You can see that emergency is accurate. Why does that offend you ? Its not a Gay word you know.

It is not an emergency

Emergencies are not defined by numbers.

A language dying out due to lack of use harms no one

If the Mona Lisa were destroyed in a fire, would it harm anyone?

 

[Blues Man]

Emergency is the correct word when only a handful of people speak the language. Once they are gone that is the end of it. Why are you trying to drag this issue into your nutty anti gay agenda ? This should be something that people can agree needs to be addressed.

How about instead a more accurate neutral phrase like “an ongoing problem nearing the end”. Not one poster here objects to Natives recovering their language. Why would anyone object to that?

YOU accused that conservatives were against it so YOU betrayed a political agenda behind this story.

Alaska Native languages - Wikipedia
Look at the numbers. You can see that emergency is accurate. Why does that offend you ? Its not a Gay word you know.

It is not an emergency

Emergencies are not defined by numbers.

A language dying out due to lack of use harms no one

If the Mona Lisa were destroyed in a fire, would it harm anyone?

No not really.

If the people cant keep their own language alive why is it up to anyone else to care more about it than they do?

 

[Polishprince]

Like every language in the world, each of those twenty is of inestimable human value and is worthy of preservation. ANLC, therefore, continues to document, cultivate, and promote those languages as much as possible and thus contribute to their future and to the heritage of all Alaskans.

Morse code is a language, one devised for the telegraph machine. At one point in time, millions of telegrams were being sent each day providing jobs for thousands of people.

Should we be making an effort to save Morse Code as well?


How about the language of Shorthand? When I was a young man, a lot of secretaries and stenographers knew it well. Should efforts be made to save this language as well- continue to teach it in the government school system?

 

[Rustic]

Alaska declares emergency for Native American languages

Alaska has declared an emergency for Native American languages, aiming to promote and preserve all 20 recognized indigenous tongues in the state before they die out.

The order signed this week by the state governor, Bill Walker, directs the state education commissioner to work with partners to promote indigenous languages in public education, KTOO Public Media in Juneau reported.

It also directs the state to use traditional Alaska Native place names on public signs. The order instructs state commissioners to designate a tribal liaison tasked with producing a plan to boost collaboration with Alaska Native partners.

It is sad that it has come to this but heartening that the Governer has taken action. Well done Alaska.

Lol
Have you ever been to Alaska? you fat tub of shit.

No government programs are going to do anything for those people… Just look at the Indian reservations in the lower 48.
You’re a fucking moron

 

[Rustic]

I am a bit surprised that so many conservatives are hostile to this initiative. I thought that you would support people trying to preserve their culture.

Lol
I’ll say it again, have you ever been to Alaska?

 

[Rustic]

Its not just Alaska and it just isn't Indian tribes. Languages in the backwaters of Africa, Europe and Asia are also disappearing.

So, vote democrat and it will stop? Seems to be the OP’s message.

Why are you trying to make this a partisan issue. the only politician quoted is the Governer who is apparently an independent.

Lol
It’s not the governments place to preserve Languages.

 

[Blues Man]

It's obvious that the younger generations of these indigenous peoples in AK do not want to keep their own culture alive because they are abandoning it willingly

 

[Rustic]

It's obvious that the younger generations of these indigenous peoples in AK do not want to keep their own culture alive because they are abandoning it willingly

Yep, There are many things best left behind. I grew up on the Pineridge Indian reservation left when I was 17. The Only people that were exposed to the native tongue were the elders/traditionalists. Like many North America Indians, Sioux is not a written language.
Any type of preservation/modification/standardization Is too controversial to except.