Focus: The vanishing of nearly half of the world's languages over the next 100 years.
Example of extinction: Chief Marie Smith Jones was the last native speaker of the Eyak language in Alaska.
Engaging question: What is lost when a language disappears?
Interview with Bud Lane
Position: Vice Chairman of the Siletz Tribal Council and language instructor.
Personal Journey
Did not grow up speaking Athabaskan fluently.
Became passionate about learning his heritage language.
Apprenticed with elders to learn Athabaskan.
Cultural Perceptions
Historically, speaking native languages was discouraged.
Now, there's a resurgence and it's seen as "cool."
Challenges in Revitalizing a Language
Relevance: Need to create situations where the language is used and relevant.
Conducting traditional ceremonies in Athabaskan.
Teaching children through songs and cultural activities.
Language Documentation
Recorded 14,000 word dictionary with Living Tongues Institute.
Developed online resources for tribal members.
Importance of Language Preservation
Cultural Identity: Language as a view of the world and history.
Example: "(word for earth)" means "made for you" in Athabaskan.
Unique Expressions: Different words for love based on relationships.
Community and Listener Contributions
Chris from Detroit:
Speaks Aramaic.
Stressed importance of language for translating historical documents and cultural expressions.
Aramaic is endangered due to persecution and assimilation.
John from South Lake Tahoe:
Works on cultural revitalization through mapping projects.
Place names hold cultural stories and histories.
Conclusion
Language holds cultural knowledge and identity.
Advocates like Bud Lane work to keep languages vibrant.
Dominant languages (English, Spanish, Chinese) pose challenges to preservation efforts.
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival highlights this issue with "One World, Many Voices."
Overall Message: Preserving a language preserves a unique cultural perspective and history, and continues to be a vital effort despite the dominance of major global languages.