Language Revitalization Mohican Clan Mother: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3hl7DAEkV0 Menominee Revitalization: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcLPCe1t7fE Ojibwe Language School: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SPbzwUnmoo Ho Chunk Language Apprentice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2fet9FhN9U I. Language revitalization efforts raise a lot of questions about the nature of language , the relationship of particular languages to its speech community, and the links between language and culture that we discussed at the beginning of class (e.g. around Sapir-Whorf). A. The stakes of language endangerment change depending on how we think about language, culture and linguistic diversity. 1. Many peoples facing language shift think of language in similar terms: as having a strong, inherent or essentialized link to culture & identity. 2. Might imagine a stronger link than academic linguists and anthropologists would agree with. B. Given what we’ve learned about questions of culture and identity in class- that culture is changing , that identity is complex and a matter of negotiation , not of static, essential categories, we should expect that the questions raised by language endangerment and revitalization movements would be more complex . C. Patrick discusses both strategic benefits and the dangers of assuming an essential link between language, culture and identity. II. Today, thinking about politics of revitalization movements . Using Canada as a case study: A. A country with an explicit commitment to multiculturalism; recognition of cultural diversity and the rights of people to maintain and practice their culture; and support for the maintenance of cultural heritage (including linguistic heritage). B. Also a country that has two official languages, English and French, as well as a multitude of indigenous languages belonging to First Nations and other native peoples (and of course many immigrant languages). C. Compare politics of language protection/revitalization b/w French and aboriginal languages . III. French is recognized as an official language , however it is a minority language in the country as a whole and outside of Quebec. A. In Quebec French is the dominant/majority language, is used alongside English in public signs, information, publications– all according to official state policy. 1. Bilingual education system is asymmetrical: French-dominant schools are bilingual (French is primary medium but English also taught), English-dominant schools offer French only as an optional “foreign language,” 2. In general French speakers are bilingual, English speakers monolingual. 3. Some French-sp. communities, esp. minorities outside Quebec, find themselves under pressure to use English at the expense of French. B. The situation is complicated for some communities by the fact that there is more than one variety of French : C. Boudreau and Dubois write about the town of Clare in an area called Acadia in ...