Module 13 - Language Revitalization

Module 13 discusses language revitalization. There are many methods and goals of language revitalization, including simply keeping a language alive instead of bringing one back. As for methods, in today’s world, people working on language revitalization have a new tool available to them: technology in the form of computers.

One example of a use of technology is the ATC Cree app, an app with Cree words related to medical uses, such as pain, doctors and medicine, to help elders to need to receive medical treatment. This app, launched in March, was developed by Byron Bates and the Athabasca Tribal Council, and is continuing to be developed with more words and audio pronunciations added to it.

The First Peoples’ Cultural Council developed a set of web-based tools called FirstVoices, with over 100 indigenous languages from several countries, including New Zealand and Canada. The website includes text entries in many of the languages, as well as online games to present the data in a different way. Out of all the languages, some are free for anyone to access, while other records have been password-protected by request of the native community.

There is also an app being developed for the Dakelh language (otherwise known as the Carrier language), which was based off a database, audio recordings, and a flashcard game. During my own research for the Heritage Language project, I stumbled across an online app for anyone who wanted to learn Ojibwe: available freely for iOS, Android and Windows.

Many people developing these apps and programs are younger, since they recognize that technology may be able to connect with members of tribes who live away from home and don’t speak their languages in a home situation or on a daily basis. Since these technological solutions are being developed by younger people, there is a chance that they will be around longer, capture the interest of people for longer, and ultimately give their respective languages a better chance of surviving.

References:

Malone, Geraldine. 2017. First Nations take to designing their own apps to preserve their languages and cultures. Financial Post. http://business.financialpost.com/entrepreneur/first-nations-take-to-designing-their-own-apps-to-preserve-their-languages-and-cultures

FirstVoices. FirstVoices. http://www.firstvoices.com/en/about