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Saving the Arapaho Language

From: Kristin Espeland Gourlay
Length: 07:41

The number of speakers of native languages is dwindling, despite programs designed to help save them. Read the full description.

Piece Audio

Playing: Saving the Arapaho Language
From: Kristin Espeland Gourlay

Default-piece-image-0 Just before the end of last year, Congress freed up grant money for Native American educators to help preserve native languages. And timing is everything. The national Indian education association and other experts estimate that only 20 or so indigenous languages will remain by mid-century as elder native speakers pass on and take their language with them. On the Wind River reservation, native speakers are working against the clock.

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Piece Description

Just before the end of last year, Congress freed up grant money for Native American educators to help preserve native languages. And timing is everything. The national Indian education association and other experts estimate that only 20 or so indigenous languages will remain by mid-century as elder native speakers pass on and take their language with them. On the Wind River reservation, native speakers are working against the clock.

Broadcast History

Originally aired on Wyoming Public Radio's weekly newsmagazine, "Open Spaces."

Transcript

Arapaho Language Feature Script - Espeland

Ambi:
Up radio arapaho lesson nats? fade under next narr?.

NARR:
Somewhere between Sweetwater junction and the town of Riverton?you pick up this signal from reservation radio?.

MB:
up nats?then fade under?

NARR:
Tribal elders teach this Arapaho language lesson for anyone within earshot. A likeminded effort takes place every weekday morning at the Northern Arapaho social services center. That?s where Leonard Moss teaches Arapaho to several adult students.

AX (:20)
MOSS: Right now we?re working on verbs? everyday language? hello? yes? no?.

NARR:
Today?s lesson is over? but Moss is full of praise for his adult students Carmen behan and Irene crazy thunder. Crazy thunder started life speaking only Arapaho but had to learn English when she started school.

AX: (:24)
Crazy thunder: confusing?my family started passing...
Read the full transcript

Timing and Cues

Suggested host intro:
Congress recently passed the Native American languages preservation act. The law will provide several years of grant money for Native American language immersion programs, teacher training, and more. The attention comes at a critical time. The national Indian education association and other experts estimate that only 20 or so indigenous languages will remain by mid-century as elder native speakers pass away and take their language with them. On the Wind River reservation in Wyoming, a new generation of learners and an older generation of speakers are determined to reverse that trend. Kristin Espeland has this report.