A Language Isolate in New Mexico - Keres

Info links/further reading:
Wikipedia,
Omniglot.com
World Language Movies KZbin Channel
Christopher Chavez. 2017. Keres Language Loss in the Santo Domingo Pueblo Community. University of New Mexico.
Sean Calvert, Alyssa Donohue, Stephen Donohue, Karen McDonald. 2013. Preserving the Keres Language and Culture. Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Walter P. Kelley, Tony L. McGregor. Keresan Pueblo Indian Sign Language. 2003. Northern Arizona University.
#keres #pueblo #newmexico #isolate #language #endangeredlanguages

[@aidenchavez5333]

Hello sir .my sister, father and I are from kewa Pueblo. My father and I are fluent in Keres, my sister is still learning. My father was very interested in you video.Your right about us slowly loosing our language. We really enjoyed your video, and thank you for shining a light on the Pueblos culture.

[@gerrigatlin7098]

My mother is from Kewa Pueblo

[@luovr18]

I am also from kewa, my grandma and my grandpa are still really fluent, alot of my family is, but the rest

[@calinative5302]

I am Keres Apache Pueblo. Part of it is our own people not teaching our own people I submitted paperwork to Isleta and the person receiving it was a Jojola same name as my ancestor and said it didnt match. If you are born of.the rez you arent considered native.

[@calinative5302]

I am a Duran Chaves

[@johannamaynard]

@@calinative5302 I was born in Albuquerque and not on the rez. I’m from Laguna Pueblo but have relatives in Isleta. I know the family name you mentioned; I just spoke with one of them yesterday. I was adopted out but got enrolled during the 80s when the tribe had open enrollment. I’m not sure if Isleta has closed or open enrollment. You should be able to get a certificate of Indian blood even if you can’t get an enrollment number. If you want to know more information contact me on one of my community post or videos.

[@billbirkett7166]

I randomly heard people speaking a Keresan language at a gas station near the San Felipe Pueblo, it was at the Black Mesa Casino run by the tribe. At first I thought it was Navajo, but I had heard Navajo before and it sounded very distinct. I was shocked to see very young people casually speaking the language fluently, so it seems that in these pueblos, the people are all using the language every day, which really makes me happy. It was a happy accident that I got to listen to a rare language isolate being spoken at the urinals while I went to the bathroom in a casino.

[@saulgoodmanKAZAKH]

Great to hear!!

[@someopinion2846]

From Wiki on split ergativity: 'In linguistic typology, split ergativity is a feature of certain languages where some constructions use ergative syntax and morphology, but other constructions show another pattern, usually nominative-accusative. The conditions in which ergative constructions are used varies among different languages. [1]'

[@water594]

toki pona helped me understand ergativity. Normally toki pona is Nom-acc. working as such; Subject li verb e object. Subj li verb. jan li tawa e ijo - the person moves the thing jan li tawa - the person moves But with the grammatical particles this can very strictly be interpreted as the verb before the 'e' applying to, changing and applying its state to what comes after the 'e'. Arguably the action of doing a verb to an object makes the verb also usable as an adjective. So if [jan li tawa e ijo] then the [ijo] becomes an [ijo tawa]. This also happens to be true if there is no object for the subject so if [jan li tawa] then [jan] becomes [jan tawa]. But this means its ripe for a bit of ergativity if we play with the grammar. jan li tawa e ijo. - the person moved the thing. tawa e jan. - the person moved. As such the function of the verb remains the same, to apply itself and its adjective to the object. So the same way that [ijo] becomes [ijo tawa], [jan] becomes [jan tawa] (that is, using the same grammatical feature). This may be jibberish to non toki pona speakers but it helped me understand it so there you go. I'd also be interedted to know if Keres sign has ergativity and how that presents in a sign language. Usually sign languages don't really have nominiative/accusative or ergativity - usually verbs either happen from one party to another pretty explicitly (even if some of these is dropped) or they just happen, with noone initiating them and the "subject" more being a context setter. So if I were to sign ME SWEAT in BSL the sign sweat doesn't really work in such a way that its me that is *doing* it as English has it, its more that the sign ME contextualises that the sweat is coming from and on my body.

[@imshawngetoffmylawn]

I remember reading a bit about Toki Pona a while ago, and that it’s a constructed language that’s supposed to be “one of the easiest languages to learn”. I simply don’t know enough about it to argue either way, but you bring up a very interesting point! I think that a language such as this, which was initially designed for its ease of acquisition and “simple” grammar, at the same time gives it the potential for a lot of variation and fluidity, as it is not usually restricted by traditional grammar rules, and therefore could accommodate all sorts of cool features! Regarding ergativity in KPISL - honestly no idea, but wow, I’ve never even thought about the concept of sign languages having grammatical alignment. But I don’t see why not! If a language allows for cases, then it should be able to be categorized in terms of how these cases manifest based on the roles nouns take on in a given sentence, be it spoken or signed.

[@water594]

@@imshawngetoffmylawn oh to clarify - toki pona doesn't usually have ergativity and if you used it ergatively it would not be understood. But I find it a useful tool to play about with it. In fact conlanging has been the biggest help in me really *understanding* certain linguist concepts, because if I can put them into a conlan, I can see what they do without having to learn a whole new language to do it.

[@anddrewsarracino5371]

True, decrease of fluent speakers of "keres" speakers. There's more official name of the language but also said in "keres". Yes and Spanish slang is mixed in with keresan and the actual dialect is nearly gone. "Outside" world keres is different than the actual traditional language of the natives of this particular land within the homes. The Elders living and gone have the actual "keres" language with them. They stress so much for us Pueblo people to sit and listen with the Elders even if don't fully understand yet. Also in our ceremonies there is strictly no loud English speaking. unless by permission to translate for younger people who are non/ or barely fluent in more opened ceremonies for feast days (men, woman, and kids). Best way to learn a native language of any sort is directly from family.

[@imshawngetoffmylawn]

Wow, those ceremonies sounds super interesting. I would love to one day attend something like that and truly be immersed, even if I don’t understand anything. Do you think something like this would potentially be possible for an outsider like me?

[@anddrewsarracino5371]

Through a naturalization of adoption for participating but as far as attending there is public viewing but to certain Pueblos there is no filming or any kind of media recording. Some these rules have been broken in other pueblos before the quarantine. Most of us traditional people believe it also have a "karma" influence on the disappearance of our culture by dilution. We have to be careful on certain things we take in on the modern world. - Am from Laguna Pueblo: born into the Eagle clan and supported by the Sun clan.

[@garrettlewis95]

Awesome thank you for representing my people.

[@carguy6311]

Your videos are so underrated! Your analysis and explanations are excellent, please keep it up!

[@imshawngetoffmylawn]

Thank you so much!

[@CookieFonster]

The fact that Native American residential schools come up in so many of your videos actually proves an important point. It demonstrates the huge amount of distinct, varied cultures and languages in North America that were all heavily damaged by this extreme racism. It's a miracle that so many schools teaching Native American languages exist today, but that is only the beginning of undoing the damage.

[@kinok5927]

Pleasure being the first to view and comment! Ты настоящий молодец, твои ролики великие! כל הכבוד אחי!

[@williampacheco7767]

So awesome! Just showed this to my Keres class! Thanks for this overview!

[@calinative5302]

Zoom I am Keres

[@aidenchavez5333]

How it going teach

[@Vox255]

Kwakwhá um it matamìnpit Akookavit epnìiqat yuku.--Thank you for making this video about the Keres people. I am Hopi from the village of Sitsomʼovi, and I am happy to see so much interest in our history--recounting our struggles past and present, while also acknowledging our resilience.

[@calinative5302]

Man that is badass! Like Apache clans in Navajo

[@Chiller-pc1dv]

My grandmother on my mom's side is Pueblo, from New Mexico and her native language is Keres...I would like to learn it.

[@aunalienmarie4004]

same here!

[@normacooks6749]

Me too 💕

[@lukaszdaciuk9285]

That's what Google Bard told me: "A split-ergative language is a language that uses ergative alignment in some contexts and nominative-accusative alignment in others. "Ergative alignment is a system of marking grammatical relations in a language where the subject of a transitive verb (the agent) is marked differently from the subject of an intransitive verb (the patient) and the object of a transitive verb (the theme). "Nominative-accusative alignment is a system of marking grammatical relations in a language where the subject of both transitive and intransitive verbs is marked the same, and the object of a transitive verb is marked differently. "In other words, in a split-ergative language, the subject of a transitive verb may be marked like the subject of an intransitive verb, or like the object of a transitive verb, depending on the context. "Here are some examples of split-ergative languages: "Hindi: In Hindi, the subject of a transitive verb is marked with the ergative case if the verb is in the perfective aspect and the object of the verb is a third-person pronoun. Otherwise, the subject of a transitive verb is marked with the nominative case. Chol: In Chol, the subject of an intransitive verb is marked with the absolutive case, while the subject of a transitive verb is marked with the ergative case. However, in the non-perfective aspect, the subject of both transitive and intransitive verbs is marked with the ergative case. "Columbia River Sahaptin: In Columbia River Sahaptin, the subject of a transitive verb is marked with the ergative case if the subject is third-person and the object is first- or second-person. Otherwise, the subject of a transitive verb is marked with the nominative case. "Split-ergative languages are interesting because they show that there is no one-size-fits-all way to organize grammatical relations in a language. Different languages use different systems depending on their history and the needs of their speakers."

[@TheGribblesnitch]

Love the way you explained ergativity, one of the first times I've ever actually understood the concept, well put

[@giuseppedelfino8246]

I'm a L2 speaker of Griko (Calabria), and I've just found out your channel. Amazing! If you desire to dedicate a video about Griko, I can help you.

[@atatdude4072]

Just a suggestion but a video about basque-Icelandic pidgin which in my opinion is the weirdest language fusion ever it super strange or a video about Scottish Gaelic (my grandmothers native language)

[@singletaxjax307]

Commenting for the algorithm. On a binge of this excellent content

[@shatterthemirror8563]

Spanish is my favorite example of a non-ergative language since that which is in a state because of some outside force, circumstance or location can be described by Estar + verbs, whereas, when the action comes from within, whether it's towards another, or the self, it's usually time to use a Ser + verb. The non-ergative is certainly a great invention and probably changed, or was because change of much.

[@imshawngetoffmylawn]

I’ve been learning Spanish for nearly 5 years now, and still find myself being confused between Ser/Estar sometimes. I think it’s a really neat feature honestly, and wish that other languages that I’ve learnt would have had something similar!

[@shatterthemirror8563]

@@imshawngetoffmylawn Yeah, I that one mechanism is the key to Spanish cause when I think that way, the language just comes though clear when I listen to it, even though someone could probably split hairs and find fuzzy cases. It's still the simplest way to think of those essentials.

[@Crummycrumbs]

This was an amazing video, I walked across America and they spoke this language on the reservations. Nicest people I’ve ever met. Even gave me some piki bread

[@zeosbourne8707]

Good video mate,isolated languages are the most curious and nicer languages to study.

[@dyaami09]

Lol I bet you would be shocked on how to actually say Gukacha Keres speaker 🙌🏾 awesome vid

[@Jayjay5040]

I love visiting Jemez Pueblo. They all speak Towa which I was surprised to hear them speaking to the kids/students. And switching back to English to speak to us Hispanics. Really neat to hear the difference in Towa from Tewa. I was born in raised in española valley and grew up heavily influenced by the 8 northern Tewa speaking Pueblos (Ohkay Owingeh and Santa Clara Pueblo). I know some words in Tewa, but listening to Towa being spoken. That was like listening to Mandarin

[@Hellinophilos]

A major source for those interested in North American languages is Marianne Mithun's "The Languages of Native North America", Cambridge University Press, 1999.

[@obliograce3551]

Living in New Mexico I am curious, what is your take on the Anasazi people that apparently disappeared from the four corners area (New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Utah)? What was the language base of the Anasazi, and does it connect in any way to the Keres dialects that you are speaking about now?

[@maureentenorio5702]

hi, I'm from kewa and I'm 11 years old and I'm very fluent with speaking keres

[@amyeppen487]

How do u prononce hello? Its for school

[@Shahska1]

Yes I agree with the theory of dialects I am from Laguna and we speak the western dialect but time and distance makes it hard to fully understand some of the Eastern speakers

[@user-om3rp8nv5l]

Hello. Georgian is also a split ergative language. I'm not sure what the patterning is in Keres. In Georgian, it varies by tense: The man (nominative) reads the book (accusative); The man (ergative ) read the book (nominative).; The man (dative) must have read the book (nominative). Some of the Australian languages are also split ergative but they split along pronominal lines, e.g., I (nominative) read the book (accusative) : You/He (ergative) read/s the book (nominative.)

[@Hellinophilos]

For those interested in Keresan languages, there is an available book by Wick R. Miller, "Acoma Grammar and Texts", University of California Press, 1965. The reluctance to let their languages be learned, studied, analyzed is widerspread among North American Indians. For instance, no real work could be done in the past twenty years on Shawnee. The Indians would rather have the languages die with them, and unfortunately their wish is rapidly coming true.

[@grizzak1981]

I’m from santo domingo Pueblo

[@user-gr7wd4kg3e]

The Pueblo Revolt is a fascinating piece of history, especially the role of Domingo Naranjo and his two sons, Jose and Lucas. Tragic in a particularly Shakespearean way. Also interesting that the secrecy about Keres languages and religion seems to have influenced how the Navajo/Dineh stories about the Pueblos & Anasazi have come to be more widely known... There is a rich history there that will probably never be truly known by what serms to be deliberate policy...

[@supbozos4070]

I'm from cochiti and we use keres

[@amyeppen487]

Can u tell me how to pronounce hello in keres? Its for school?

[@jeffreyvaldez7374]

I am a Keres speaker, and it is true

[@virginiatenorio4362]

FYI Kewa is still Santo Domingo… the name never changed or approved by our tribal council.

[@LDrosophila]

Agreed it is the BEST state flag!

[@bobertjones2300]

I love wearing my NM state flag hat . . . in Texas! I have many fond memories of mostly business and a little personal travel in NM, Jemez Rez to Four Corners to Carlsbad!

[@monx94]

As for nominative/accusative explanation, there is an example of that in English, that being the differentiation between I/me, he/him and she/her. So going with that it would be: NOM/ACC: He was chasing her. He was sweating. ERG/ABS: He was chasing her. Him was sweating.

[@monx94]

10:56: Hence, I assume that verbs denoting states (e.g. to be cold) behave as nominative/accusative as opposed to others or vice versa... but that's just a theory

[@CHRIS-pz5sr]

Ah meh rrow ah hopah ah...hin al KEWA MEH SOOTAH...SPEE YAH CHRIS 😝😝😝

[@psalm91.666]

It's only taught from other speakers by their permission or family it also wasn't written

[@zacharyferreira2469]

Hokan is not a language family. It is an unproven and largely abandoned hypothesis. Many languages once considered Hokan are isolates.

[@sophiebenally5979]

Theirs old language in kewa and new language in keres some of us speak new language that in kewa

[@Diijei-rb8ks]

Looking for study buddy or teaçher of Kewa

[@Jayjay5040]

CO-CHI-Ti almost like coach a ti , but I’ll give it you saying based on research

[@seantsosie]

Just sad 😢 very few speakers

[@christopherellis2663]

That's 2000 in each of the seven places. Not exactly endangered Pueblo, Castilian for " population " or village.

[@nathanl4340]

We accept you ❤️ Let's see you try The boy is drinking a cup of water. .. 🤘 Let's see

[@samwise1491]

Very cool, it would have been nice to leave the orthography off the screen out of respect but I understand the need to have the visual aid while giving examples. Keep the native American languages coming!

[@imshawngetoffmylawn]

Ah, you’re absolutely right, I didn’t think of that in the moment. Thanks for bringing that to my attention! Good thing I wasn’t able to find an orthography of that specific Pueblo, and only a different one that’s a bit more lax when it comes to this.

[@davidbrewer9030]

I have read that Kurdish is split-ergative.

[@Platero505]

Im Navajo, but my 2nd clan says Im Zia Pueblo weaver clan. I did a DNA. What!? There it was 94% Navajo, 5% Pueblo. 1% Spain. My Navajo clans and DNA line up.

[@garethjones2596]

Acoma ACK-uh-muh

[@Borzasnyul]

I am absolutely certain that it is totally irrelevant, yet I can not resist mentioning for the irony in view of the misterious nature of 'Keres' that the word means in Hungarian (he/she/it) search(es) (or, is searching). The only imperfection of this coincidence is that the Hungarian final 's' equals English 'sh'. Still keres it is! It keres relations, to be clear.

[@terencecee.907]

It tells you that we as Pueblo ppl have been here for centuries. We didn't come across the land bridge we are from here. The Hopi recognize that they came from Mexico because of the language but long ago before the Spanish invasion. So with language that's how you know where your from or assimilated into.

[@sophiebenally5979]

In first place your saying words in keres is wrong

[@farmerboi5760]

quick correction, i know a lot of white people say "Uh-coma" but its more pronounced "Ah-cu-muh".

[@Zestieee]

The fact that the people themselves don't want the language to be written down unfortunately won't help its preservation at all, that's unfortunate.

[@aaronchambers9888]

I have seen some good information that the Basques originated from Armenia then later influenced the Iroquois language. I want to learn Keres.

[@garethjones2596]

Kiowa = KAI-uh-wuh

[@davode76166]

Kurdish is an Indo-European ergative language

[@MrMirville]

They invented it like Esperanto.

[@camotym4920]

Please get "schooled" on proper pronunciation of "Acoma". It's not A-Coma! 🤦

[@tedwardhall]

not at all respectful to an entire people - fellow members of the human family - to synopsis this as "crazy" just to get hits - really - folks out there are looking at this - as a linguist you can appreciate the importance of the words you are using and how they feel to others

[@bobertjones2300]

Linguistics is a scholarly pursuit and to be overly concerned with people's feelings prevents dissemination of knowledge. Analogy: What a MD may need to do in some situations may be disrespectful, even offensive. Ask a urologist. Context is everything in linguistic studies as in urology.

[@tedwardhall]

@@bobertjones2300 my family is from out there - it's idiotic and not academic to label entire languages "crazy" - what context makes this "moral" or professional?

[@napoleonfeanor]

This attitude towards language secrecy doesn't really help preservation.