The Fight To Save The Dying Languages Of Alaska

Alaska's 20 native languages are in crisis, and millennial Alaskans are calling for their revival. But many languages aren't completely cataloged, and the parental generation can't, or won't, speak them. So Alaskans are racing to collect the elders' knowledge, and design a pedagogy that breaches the generational divide. Will they be able to stop their languages from dying out?

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[howzitcruzinthrulife]

Our Hawaiian language was a dying language as well. My grandma wasn’t allowed to speak Hawaiian so for almost two generations it was almost lost. Now our language has flourished once again with Hawaiian studies and various programs.
We cannot change the past, but we can change our future.
Aloha 🤙🏽

[tyrranicalt-rad]

I'm native American and my language is slowly going extinct. It's a big reason why I chose to study linguistics.

[fionamay]

Speaking Irish in schools was banned by the English, its taught as a subject now but majority of Irish people cant speak fluent Irish now. Such a

[ALFRABEIRA]

When a language dies, a world dies with it.

[drrd]

I am from Scotland. People ask me all the time "can you speak Scottish Gaelic?", I am so embarrassed to say no but it almost never existed in my school. I did speak Scots and got told by the teachers I needed to speak "proper English", it was so frustrating.

[NatalieL]

Loss of culture leads to a loss of belonging and purpose. It is a hard thing to deal with when you feel no one truly accepts you.

[kieranbrown]

As a Alaskan Native I'm deeply concerned of how the English language is conquering most of our heritage and language but time will tell if our languages will survive or be eradicated

[nataliep]

I really REALLLY REEAALLLY want them to succeed. Language is a beautiful thing that tethers you to your culture, heritage, and our past. I think that I would lose my second language skills would completely change me as a person

[arcticpolyglots]

“Each time a language dies, another flame goes out, another sound goes silent.” ― Ariel Sabar

[hi-lnur]

In Ireland gaelic was almost lost, now it's a mandatory & an entire sem-large part of the country where gaelic is the primary language.All it takes is patience & time

[alaskasfinest]

Thank you VICE
this touched my heart to see a video like this.
I was born 1989 in Fairbanks, AK. Lived in Venetie(small village along the Chandalar river)It’s been 22 years since I’ve seen my mom in person. So a video with Athabaskan elders trying to save our language is the greatest!!! Just to hear them speaking is awesome and I wish I knew more of my language. I’ve picked up a few words in his video. Thank you again

[takesha]

My heart goes out to these people. I’m happy that you have this opportunity to save your language and culture.

[cynthiavanteylingen]

interesting video more languages please vice its good to know about these cultures and their worries.

[justincastillogayray]

All of these languages need to be preserved in library textbooks. Keep duplicates somewhere safe and secret like a bunker. I mean, remember how the Navajo language saved America?

[MsMoses-hscz]

I’m so happy for them that they know the importance of their language. Inherited traditions like ceremonies and clothing are just as important to the revitalization of their people.

[gia]

This is the state of the ‘dialects’ in Italy or will be in the next 10 years. They are individual cultural languages that standard Italian is derived from. It’s sad. My family’s language is so different from standard Italian and it’s slowly dying

[fuzzydeborah]

Thank you for taking the time to hear Alaskans.

[dannyy]

Things like these breaks my heart. A language is a big part of culture and when a language dies its culture eventually goes as well. I hope all these indigenous language are learned and spoken fluently again ❤️

[ryangardner]

I know Joan personally and have had the pleasure to work with her in another capacity. Extremely honored to be graced by her presence.

[BaraIsrael]

people talking about white genoside while this happens