Decolonizing Language Revitalization

September 25, 2013 - How has Eurocentric anthropology and linguistics affected the way we interpret our elders and ancestors who share their cultural knowledge with foreign researchers?
Join us for a presentation with Khelsilem Rivers and April Charlo, indigenous peoples from community-based and cultural revitalization backgrounds, who will be discussing decolonization of language revitalization. Their presentation and open dialogue will address the context of rapid language loss and decline, and how colonization has affected or is embedded in the strategies of revitalization.
In an effort to revitalize Indigenous languages, communities may have unknowingly adopted or assimilated colonized ways of thinking as they invest interest and attempt to repair or restore ties to culture and language. Are we learning to speak Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Nēhiyawēwin, Kanien'kéha, et all with an English-mind or are we learning to speak Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Nēhiyawēwin, Kanien'kéha with a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Nēhiyaw, Kanien'keháka mind?
Indigenous languages represent one of the darkest ways in which ethnocide and cultural genocide have occurred. It is expected in the next twenty-five years over 700 of the worlds Indigenous languages will be forgotten. In the Vancouver area alone, the two Indigenous languages are considered critical endangered; Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) language has five to seven fluent speakers and hən̓q̓əmin̓əm has one fluent speaker left.
Decolonizing Language Revitalization aims to put forward perspectives of shifting values, cultural understandings, and impacts on community. It is the stories we tell ourselves (as a people) that impacts who we believe we are, and then who we become. But if the stories -- even including, or especially the Indigenous ones -- are filtered through colonialism, we have become a different people because of it.
April Charlo from Bitterroot Salish people and is a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, Montana.
Khelsilem Rivers is a Sḵwx̱wú7mesh-Kwakwa̱ka̱'wakw language revitalization activist from Vancouver.
Supported by SFU's Vancity Office of Community Engagement
sfuwoodwards.ca/index.php/comm...

[@kimberlycabanas2496]

That was really interesting. I'm glad I listened.

[@heathenwizard]

Wonderful and informative talk! Thank you for sharing, and strength to you in all of your efforts!

[@aprilm.wemigwans-mezimegwa541]

I love her thinking concept but she's explained it like ten times

[@marconatrix]

Different levels of 'possession' are not unique to indian languages. Mo làmh, m'athair (my hand, my father) = inseparable; Is leam an car sin (I own that car, it is to me, belongs to me) = ownership; An cupa agam ('my' cup, the cup that is with/at me) = temporary possession.

[@359339]

This is irish, right?

@@359339 Those examples are Scottish Gaelic. Irish has something similar though, as does Manx.

[@kallol96]

5% Indian population can express their thoughts in English. Yet one can’t earn a dignified living without English. This means 95% of Indians are denied access to all kind of higher education, recruitment in Army Commission Rank, Public Service Commission, Railway, Civil Service Selection interviews, access to Supreme Court, dealing with many regional Government offices like West Bengal, Assam, and South Indian states. This means India's administration is being run in the interest of 5% Anglophonic Indians, as it was before 1947. Thanks to the remarkable foresight of Lord Macaulay whose design of Anglophonic Schooling in India to breed “Educated Indians” delinked from India and Indians and psychologically enslaved and subservient to Anglo-American West. This explains why Indian youth takes distinct pride in claiming that they can't speak their mother tongue- be it Hindi / Tamil / Telegu / Bangla. This Anglophonic education has spawned a ruling class that follows a bastardized Anglophonic culture- whom Anglo-American west considers “Appendage of the West” and in their intimate circle brand them as “Contemptible clowns”. It is to be noted that “English Medium School” is mushrooming deep inside rural India. In these school campuses- kids are penalized if found to speak in their mother tongue. Consequently they learn neither English nor their own mother tongue instead remain semi-illiterate dreaming to make a living in their supposed dreamland Anglo-American West. These overzealous Hindi bashing crowd is ostensibly devoted to their regional language. A pertinent question arises- have any of these Hindi bashers ever at any time raised any demand or circulated any proposal on the prospect of introducing higher and technical education in indigenous (regional) language? Have they ever proposed that indigenous (regional) language be linked to the means of dignified livelihood? Have they ever proposed that applicants graduating from indigenous (regional) educational institutions should have reserved quota in regional Government jobs? Have they ever proposed that private sector employers who employ graduates of vernacular medium should be entitled to special tax deduction? Have they ever taken a stand on the issue of vernacular medium schools shutting down to make room for English Medium Schools? Make no mistake- Hindi bashing and epidemic of Anglophonic Culture and education is a diabolical design. Why ? This design is a very effective means to enslave 1.3 billion high quality human resource and thereby eliminate potential competition in the international market. This is exactly what Anglo-American west wanted Russia and China to become but failed. This is exactly what they want India to be, a domesticated, subservient poodle who will only serve not compete with the west. That design has kept India a "Developing Country" even 75 years after independence and still generating high dividend for Anglo-American West. After all more copies of "Harry Potter" are sold in India than in UK. An estimated one trillion US.$ worth of rupees is laundered into Anglo/American Banks every year. Remember, One can't pretend to be anything else but what they actually are. Indians can’t be exception.

[@twodogsfeeding2940]

"...Your unseeded, stolen, occupied Territory..." Taken, Stolen, Occupied by Your Tribe from What Tribe?! Ha!

[@phoenixkool]

Its not like you guys are going to get back your lands... this is the point of conquering and colonizing.. its how empires are formed. So as much as you wanna complain about theft and whatnot, this is how history marches, with the strongest surviving and taking what they want. Welcome to life...

[@feirodennyume7080]

Its not like you guys aren't going to get back and protect your lands and revitalize your culture... this is the point of rebellion and revolution (today more ideologic and politic).. its how better countries which respects their citizens are formed. So as much as you wanna fight for your rights and the recognition of your culture, this is how history marches, with the strongest surviving and taking what they want. Welcome to life... :D (Kisses from France :p )

[@feirodennyume7080]

MAXQ1989 I think you misunderstood. I said that if you fight for your rights and you revitalise your culture, you will be respected as you are and earn your right. I just used the same sentence and reasoning for saying the opposite :)

[@phoenixkool]

MAXQ1989 I did watch it. The guy is pretty good. But what I'm saying is true bro , chill out. It's just history you can't change it

[@feirodennyume7080]

you can't change history but you can change present... People can fight for saving their culture, it's not vain. History give a lot of examples of successful fightings, colonialism and imperialism don't win all the time. For example, Austria was a big empire which oppressed eastern europoean contries, but thanks to revolutions this countries are now free. they can speak their langages and keep their culture alive. So fighting for first nations rights and saving their culture is not vain :)

[@phoenixkool]

random guy disease war does it matter? At the end of the day, The lower casted humans were forced into submission by more powerful humans. I don’t care how many ways you wanna look at it, whether it’s pathology or outright conquering , the fact remains that the indigenous people were knocked out and that’s that. End of story, you lost your land, it’s shitty and ultimately the worst feeling of losing your identity. But it’s history omg leave it as that