Daa-naa~-yash / Hədiw’
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Date
2013-12
Authors
Viles, Carson
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Language revitalization is a growing international movement dedicated to promoting the
use and growth of Indigenous and endangered languages. In the Pacific Northwest, many
endangered language communities are working to revitalize their speaking communities.
This thesis is intended to benefit this movement by examining the motivation and
methods of one community of Native language learners in Eugene, Oregon. Drawing on
interviews, this thesis explores what motivates this community of speakers and in doing
so provides insight into the significance of Indigenous languages in maintaining Native
identity and worldview. This work focuses on home-based learning to demonstrate how
methods centered on language use as opposed to accumulation of knowledge create a
space for Indigenous languages to exist in daily life and may serve as an effective model
for endangered language learners. Lastly, this thesis advocates for collaboration across
critically endangered languages through the use of multilingualism as a strategy to create
viable speech communities.
Description
106 pages
Keywords
revitalizing indigenous languages, colonial impacts, native voices