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The Language Warrior's Manifesto: How to Keep Our Languages Alive No Matter the Odds by Anton Treuer
littlebookterror's review against another edition
fast-paced
4.5
so I've been wanting to change how I interact with the nonfiction titles I read and I haven't worked it all out perfectly yet but this is less of a review but more of an evaluation of what I've learned from this book as well as any further research I did.
This was a lovely experience, the audiobook only highlights how important preservation has become as the author speaks Ojibwe several times to the listener. It also gets you pumped, like you could go out and do this yourself, right now!
My starting point
I am always interested in linguistics and languages, so when I saw this audiobook was available to me, I jumped on it. I was already familiar with Treuer, since I listened to Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask earlier this year and liked his style.
The more I immerse myself in English books and talking about online, the more aware I am about how it also shapes my thinking - I don't just do this to practice though it is a big contributor. Since the German language and identity is not currently dying out, it's certainly a difference in how I interact with it - I don't have a pressure to perform my identity this way, nor do I feel questioned in it.
Who's the author?
Anton Treuer is an Ojibwe professor in Minnesota with a Ph.D. in history. Along with his multiple novels, he has presented all over the country on issues such as Racial Equity & Cultural Competency
Tribal Sovereignty & History, and Ojibwe Language & Culture. Editor of the Oshkaabewis Native Journal, the only academic journal of the Ojibwe language, and currently Professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University.
(His brother, David Treuer is an equally prolific writer.)
What did I learn?
This book is almost relentlessly positive yet earnest in its explanation how to revive a dying language. It is also very practical, from finding grants over discussing publishing rights to the growing influence of the internet, Treuer is bringing up the many ways he is working on to build a foundation to teach Ojibwe. It could have been boring but the process of how they implemented their project was simply fascinating I would have not have minded more.
He also stressed the importance of leaning on available material and knowledge whenever it was applicable, reaching out to other tribes and researchers instead of reinventing the wheel.
I do wish he had included a more detailed example of when things didn't work out, from a cultural or a legal perspective.
Additional Notes
Obviously, I had to check out their Ojibwe dictionary.
Treuer also remarks several times how this is a group effort. You need native speakers, sure, but you also need willing learners, people with time on their hands, money, rooms, etc. The importance of immersing yourself in the language and having continuous support and access to it are vital when learning a new language, everyone who's ever tried to learn a second language can tell you so. I would have loved to hear some more about that side from other people involved in the project. Is there an added pressure to learn/be involved and how do the dynamics change between the (new) bilingual members with the non-speakers? The little hints from Treuer about not pushing too hard and general positive encouragement were not enough details for me.
It's just a side note but Treuer mentions he is Austrian on his father's side but the question of whether he should also learn German never comes up. While the answer might seem obvious as to why, I think it actually would have been an interesting discussion on identity and how proximity to an identity can play a role, e.g. people living on reservations vs. those who don't, and how much of this feels like a choice. (It also reminds me of a book I only recently put on my tbr, Thinning Blood: A Memoir of Family, Myth, and Identity, which also talks about language and how it links to identity.)
I am now also interested to see if there is a book or article on how the Hawaiian language was revitalized and the entire process behind it because they have been very successful, as it's now taught in schools and universities and an official language of the state.
This was a lovely experience, the audiobook only highlights how important preservation has become as the author speaks Ojibwe several times to the listener. It also gets you pumped, like you could go out and do this yourself, right now!
My starting point
I am always interested in linguistics and languages, so when I saw this audiobook was available to me, I jumped on it. I was already familiar with Treuer, since I listened to Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask earlier this year and liked his style.
The more I immerse myself in English books and talking about online, the more aware I am about how it also shapes my thinking - I don't just do this to practice though it is a big contributor. Since the German language and identity is not currently dying out, it's certainly a difference in how I interact with it - I don't have a pressure to perform my identity this way, nor do I feel questioned in it.
Who's the author?
Anton Treuer is an Ojibwe professor in Minnesota with a Ph.D. in history. Along with his multiple novels, he has presented all over the country on issues such as Racial Equity & Cultural Competency
Tribal Sovereignty & History, and Ojibwe Language & Culture. Editor of the Oshkaabewis Native Journal, the only academic journal of the Ojibwe language, and currently Professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University.
(His brother, David Treuer is an equally prolific writer.)
What did I learn?
This book is almost relentlessly positive yet earnest in its explanation how to revive a dying language. It is also very practical, from finding grants over discussing publishing rights to the growing influence of the internet, Treuer is bringing up the many ways he is working on to build a foundation to teach Ojibwe. It could have been boring but the process of how they implemented their project was simply fascinating I would have not have minded more.
He also stressed the importance of leaning on available material and knowledge whenever it was applicable, reaching out to other tribes and researchers instead of reinventing the wheel.
I do wish he had included a more detailed example of when things didn't work out, from a cultural or a legal perspective.
Additional Notes
Obviously, I had to check out their Ojibwe dictionary.
Treuer also remarks several times how this is a group effort. You need native speakers, sure, but you also need willing learners, people with time on their hands, money, rooms, etc. The importance of immersing yourself in the language and having continuous support and access to it are vital when learning a new language, everyone who's ever tried to learn a second language can tell you so. I would have loved to hear some more about that side from other people involved in the project. Is there an added pressure to learn/be involved and how do the dynamics change between the (new) bilingual members with the non-speakers? The little hints from Treuer about not pushing too hard and general positive encouragement were not enough details for me.
It's just a side note but Treuer mentions he is Austrian on his father's side but the question of whether he should also learn German never comes up. While the answer might seem obvious as to why, I think it actually would have been an interesting discussion on identity and how proximity to an identity can play a role, e.g. people living on reservations vs. those who don't, and how much of this feels like a choice. (It also reminds me of a book I only recently put on my tbr, Thinning Blood: A Memoir of Family, Myth, and Identity, which also talks about language and how it links to identity.)
I am now also interested to see if there is a book or article on how the Hawaiian language was revitalized and the entire process behind it because they have been very successful, as it's now taught in schools and universities and an official language of the state.
luciau's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
aubreycc123's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
A wonderful perspective. Language revitalization is so important.
julieabe89's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This was a fascinating look at the importance of language for indigenous cultures and how to make it a priority. I love seeing the ways that it can be supported by people outside the culture as well. I learned so much from this!