Learning any language is tough, however think about making an attempt to study a language with out entry to fluent audio system or instruments like Duolingo at your fingertips.
Well, that’s what its like for a lot of Indigenous individuals making an attempt to reconnect with their tradition and study their language.
A brand new audio mission referred to as Words and Culture hopes to show listeners to quite a lot of Indigenous languages and make that studying just a little simpler.
“Shows like this will introduce audiences to those language keepers, those speakers and hopefully it will make more people willing to reach out,” stated Kim Wheeler, the reveals government producer.
“Learning language is admittedly scary, proper? It’s horrifying! People will inform tales like ‘I’m studying to talk, individuals are laughing at me’ which makes them not need to do it.
“But here we have an offering where you can listen and get some basics in the privacy of your home.”
The present tackles 5 totally different language teams in its first season — Haudenosaunee, Cree, Athabaskan, Anishinaabe and Inuktitut — with six episodes devoted to every language group and a brand new episode airing every week — on-line and on the radio.
The episodes are approachable, with language learners of all ranges on the helm, every week specializing in a distinct subject with phrases and phrases you may study and apply.
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The Haudenosaunee portion is hosted by January Rogers, and within the first episode she speaks with Amos Key Jr., a information keeper, concerning the subsequent era of Six Nations language learners — who he hopes might be totally bilingual.
“Bilingual of whatever language, English and Mohawk, English and Cayuga, Onondaga and English and vice versa,” he stated. “It’s exciting we can draft a blueprint of where we’d like this community to be in the next 50 years.”
Indigenous language preservation, revitalization and promotion has been gaining momentum — the United Nations declared 2022-2032 the last decade of Indigenous languages and Canada dedicated to supporting Indigenous language revitalization and accelerating the implementation of the Indigenous Languages Act.
“I love the fact that language is so big right now and it feels like everybody wants to learn the language,” stated Wheeler. “I think [Words and Culture] is a really good introduction to find out more about not only our language, but our people and our knowledge keepers.”
There are over 70 distinct Indigenous languages throughout the nation falling into 12 language households. Prior to the Indian Residential School system, Indigenous languages had been extensively spoken, many Indigenous individuals rising up solely understanding their language.
But with residential faculties that got down to “kill the Indian in the child,” a communities capability to move on their language was additionally diminished.
“What I’m learning as we go through this is that the language feels like it has skipped a generation, and that’s the generation after residential schools,” stated Wheeler. “So the children of survivors, it has skipped them.
“The children of the children of the survivors, they’re the ones that it really feels like they’re picking up the language and that does give me hope.”
Words and Culture is funded by SiriusXM Canada by the Community Radio Fund of Canada who approached Wheeler with the concept of making an audio mission that uplifts Indigenous languages.
“Each episode we had a theme that I wanted to hit, but I also wanted the hosts — who speak or are learning the language from their nation — let me know who they want to talk to and who is important in their community,” defined Wheeler.
With hopes of doing a second season that focuses on totally different Indigenous languages, Wheeler stated all of it is dependent upon funding.
“There is no show out there right now that focuses specifically on language and multiple languages that’s airing across the country,” she stated.
“(The hosts) are all so inspiring about how they realized or how they’re studying their language — we have now an unbelievable workforce of hosts who’re going to carry you superb tales each week from the individuals who stay proper of their communities.“
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Listen up! New audio series highlights passion of Indigenous language speakers
