Looking through materials this morning regarding language use in Mozambique, I was led to a series of websites ranging from the Organization of Portuguese Language Countries, the Observatory of Cultural Policies in Africa, UNESCO, and now to an interactive map of endangered languages.
(other wanderings can be found on my delicious page)
I’m very passionate about the preservation and/or maintenance of endangered languages, and where it is within my power to promote these, I do. In my personal life this has meant anything from taking on the study of lesser known languages, to social media and word-of-mouth promotion of language rights ideals, or planning potential documentaries on Michigan culture with my friend Michael Merriweather.
Well, I looked through that map. I looked for the first thing that came into my head – Michigan.
There are at least two critically endangered languages in Michigan, and several on the UP/Wisconsin border and in southwestern Ontario. To name a few: Potawatomi, Ottawa, Menominee and Oneida.
To get a better grasp of the linguistic context of the first 3 of these languages, look at this Ethnologue site for the Algic language Family. They are all three related, with Potawatomi and Ottawa more closely related, in the Ojibwe sub-family.
For context on Oneida, an Iroquoian language related to Mohawk, look here.
Why aren’t the major research universities doing more to promote the maintenance of these critically endangered languages, like Potawatomi and Ottawa? Why are researchers studying other areas of the world given preferential funding when there has been no effort made to introduce the languages of midwestern North America to Michigan classrooms? Wouldn’t this be a valuable addition to Michigan history classes at a primary/secondary level? Okay, I know it sounds utopic, but…
There should be some type of comparative advantage approach to history and second language research/pedogogy in the states. Nations should concentrate in the “production” of the languages and histories in which they have a more absolute advantage in to begin with. I.e. Don’t we already live in Michigan, have a contact base here, have roots here in one way or another? Why does life have to be so globalized and commerce-centric*; I would rather learn Ojibwe than Japanese or German. I would argue that Spanish is different in the US context because of the influx of latinos in the United States and it’s status as a language of unity throughout the Americas. But there is much to be desired in language diversity in universities. I think that in 20 or so years this fact will come more to the forefront of our national consciousness as we see languages die in coming decades.
*Even as I employ a commerce related terms to make my point. Great.
___ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _
On the bright side, MSU offers two sequences for a Less Commonly Taught Language (LCTL) course on Ojibwe.
At the University of Michigan they reach advanced Ojibwe, and seem to have good participation in the courses:
Preserving the language is personal for many students, say Margaret Noori and Howard Kimewon, instructors for the Ojibwe language and literature program. Senior Travis Turnbull, a U-M hockey player, remembers his grandmother using “gegwa,” the Ojibwe word for “don’t do that.” And Noori says that Christy Bieber, a sophomore studying pre-med who grew up in Maryland, chose U-M in part so she could learn the language of her mother, a descendent of the Sault Ste. Marie tribe.
The Ojibwe program was started at U-M in the early 1970s and is one of the strongest in the country. Of the approximately 250 students enrolled in classes, about a third take it because of their personal heritage. Another third take it to learn more about the history of their home state of Michigan and the rest take it to meet their language requirement.
According to an Associated Press story on the program last spring, there are about 10,000 Ojibwe speakers in the Great Lakes region today.
Zhaabwiitoonaa Anishinaabemowin (Program Aims to Preserve Ojibwe Language)
http://www.umich.edu/~ojibwe/news/alumni/alumni.html (and also)
Em fim,
When I have time I want to draft an official proposal to Wayne State and whichever other institution or administrative body in the state for the promotion of critically endangered languages in Michigan. And maybe I’ll take an Ojibwe course.
0 Responses to “reflections on native michigan languages”