Some Basics of Indigenous Language Revitalization
Jon Reyhner
Drawing from papers presented at the five Stabilizing
Indigenous Languages symposiums held since 1994, activities are
recommended for language revitalization at each of Joshua
Fishman's eight stages of language loss. The role of writing in
indigenous language revitalization is discussed, and two types of language
use, primary and secondary discourse, are described. The
conclusion stresses the importance of motivating language learners and
using teaching methods and materials that have proven effective
in indigenous communities.
Symposiums on teaching indigenous languages have been held
annually since 1994 under the cosponsorship of Northern Arizona University's
Bilingual Multicultural Education Program in its Center for Excellence in
Education. The symposiums have featured a wide range of presentations,
ranging from marketing the value of native languages, to implementing
immersion teaching programs, to using Total Physical Response teaching techniques,
to developing indigenous language textbooks useful for children, and even
to teaching languages over the telephone.