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The Language Warrior's Manifesto: How to Keep Our Languages Alive No Matter the Odds by Anton Treuer
cassandrat's review
4.0
This book is written for a wide variety of people, but especially aimed at those looking to develop their own language revitalization programs in indigenous communities. It's clear reading this book that Anton Treuer has had to resolve a lot of value conflicts and engage in a lot of meta thinking to build successful programs and relationships. He has a lot of experience and aims to share most of those conclusions and best practices in this book. It discusses how to start from nothing, focus on continually connecting to values and building foundations first (funding can come later - start now), understanding the many types of oppression (many of which are internalized in communities), and much more.
My favorite part was his description of working with elders to develop new books and stories in Ojibwe for teaching cultural values (translating Harry Potter doesn't connect the language and cultural values). They used the elders' own personal family stories to inspire and storyboard. It was amazing.
My second favorite part was his description of working with elders for lexical expansion (creating new Ojibwe terms based in Ojibwe language thinking for modern concepts). I especially loved the stories about how they got started translating curriculum, mathematics and natural sciences, into Ojibwe - and the realization of how many words for types of condensation they have.
I was hoping for more discussion of how Anton Treuer learned Ojibwe, but it comes down to - being earnest and committed to culture, earning trust, and studying constantly. I am inspired to watch and read many of the books and documentaries he mentioned, especially about the Hawaiian programs.
Very cool.
My favorite part was his description of working with elders to develop new books and stories in Ojibwe for teaching cultural values (translating Harry Potter doesn't connect the language and cultural values). They used the elders' own personal family stories to inspire and storyboard. It was amazing.
My second favorite part was his description of working with elders for lexical expansion (creating new Ojibwe terms based in Ojibwe language thinking for modern concepts). I especially loved the stories about how they got started translating curriculum, mathematics and natural sciences, into Ojibwe - and the realization of how many words for types of condensation they have.
I was hoping for more discussion of how Anton Treuer learned Ojibwe, but it comes down to - being earnest and committed to culture, earning trust, and studying constantly. I am inspired to watch and read many of the books and documentaries he mentioned, especially about the Hawaiian programs.
Very cool.
nyx_stewart's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
This book is potentially the only truly helpful AND inspiring handbook for those learning under resourced languages.
If you are seeking to learn an indigenous language or any other under resourced language, I strongly recommend this book. It takes you on an emotional journey as to why we would want to preserve and protect these languages. But it doesn't stop there. It continues with adding useful real world advice around developing resources and funding and community management and the incredible nuance of working to preserve language in a violently colonized environment.
Truly magnificent.
If you are seeking to learn an indigenous language or any other under resourced language, I strongly recommend this book. It takes you on an emotional journey as to why we would want to preserve and protect these languages. But it doesn't stop there. It continues with adding useful real world advice around developing resources and funding and community management and the incredible nuance of working to preserve language in a violently colonized environment.
Truly magnificent.
ulogil's review
5.0
"Hearing our kids speak our language is powerful medicine and it heals everyone."
This book pumped me up. Got me going. Put me in a good way. Ready to fight or politic or teach. Whatever comes, comes. I'll face it in my language.
This book pumped me up. Got me going. Put me in a good way. Ready to fight or politic or teach. Whatever comes, comes. I'll face it in my language.
alwyshaveabook82's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
Clear and cogent exhortation!
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