Name ___________________


AMERICAN INDIAN LANGUAGE WORKSHEET
Name of American Indian language to research __________________

 


If a member of a group, indicate which part of the research assignment is yours--PART I, II, or III? ____

PART I: The ____________ Language in 1804

  1. When did Lewis and Clark meet this particular Indian language-group and where was the group living at the time?
  2. Describe an incident from the Lewis and Clark journals of how translation was handled between the members of this language group and the Corps of Discovery.
  3. On September 5, 1805, Lewis and Clark met with a group of Salish-speaking people (also called Flatheads) whose language captivated the interest of the journal keepers. Look up the journal entries for that date and find out what Captain Clark, Sgt. Ordway, and Pvt. Whitehouse had to say about the Salish and their language.

PART II: The ____________ Language Today

  1. Is this language still spoken? If no, when and why did it disappear? If yes, where and by whom is it still spoken? Approximately how many people speak it?
  2. Research the language preservation groups listed on page 2 under "Internet and Library Sources" to find what is being done to preserve this language. If you cannot find information about this language, describe the work being done to preserve another American Indian language.
  3. Learn to pronounce and/or write common words in this language such as numbers, colors animals, etc. Learn to say a few phrases such as "Hello, how are you--My name is . . . etc.

PART III: Linguistic organization of the ____________ Language

  1. To what "language family" does this language belong? What are two or three other American Indian languages in that family?
  2. Prior to contact with Europeans, American Indian languages were only spoken. After contact, alphabets were constructed for many American Indian languages so they could be written down. Is this language now written? If yes, state how and when this occurred, and who accomplished it. If no, contact the tribal office to see if there are plans to do so.
  3. Discuss ways in which this language differs from your own language, such as word order, gender, tense, etc.

SAVE A TREE!
USE THE BACK OF THESE SHEETS FOR YOUR ANSWERS

 

INTERNET AND LIBRARY SOURCES

Many American Indian tribes have their own websites and are always happy to share information about their cultural heritage. Make it a point to communicate with a group who speaks the language you are researching. Ask for their thoughts about their language-why it is important to them, how they are trying to preserve it, how it differs from English or other European languages.

INTERNET SOURCES

Keywords: American Indian Languages, American Indian Languages + preservation, Name of the tribe you are researching + language

General Information with Internet Links
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/RefArticle.aspx?refid=761573518
http://www.nmnh.si.edu/anthro/outreach/indian_l.htm
http://www.ewebtribe.com/NACulture/lang.htm
http://www.indians.org/welker/americas.htm
http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=USA
http://www.intertribal.net/NAT/NATribes.htm

American Indian Language Maps
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/united_states/early_indian_east.jpg
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/united_states/early_indian_west.jpg

Language Preservation Groups

LIBRARY SOURCES
Many books and tapes on how to speak various American Indian languages are now available. Check the catalog in your school or public library for the language you are researching. If nothing comes up, ask the librarian for assistance. He or she may be able to get what you need from the interlibrary loan network.