My current event was on the reviving of the Wampanoag language. The language of the Wampanoag tribe out of New England was lost in the late 1600's due to gender imbalances. These imbalances were caused because the Wampanoag tribe was in a war with the Pilgrims, so the women went on and married different in different tribes, which over time causes the language to slowly vanish. The Wampanoag lost the war with the Pilgrims and that was the last that was heard of them. In 1993, Jessie Baird from Mashpee Mass, created the Wampanoag Language Reclamation, because she knew her ancestors spoke the language and she was inspired to do so. Baird and a group of others studied at MIT for years, working on the now finished 10,00 word dictionary they created for the Wampanoag language. Jessie Baird received a $500,000 dollar grant from the MacAuthor Fellows. She plans on using this money towards the Wampanoag language department, buying audio equipment, hiring a illustrator for her children's books, and developing a Wampanoag language school.
During my presentation, fellow classmates had asked me questions I want to clarify. One question was "Where is the school going to be built?" The Wampanoag school that they want to build has not started its progress yet, but they believe to build it in the Mashpee area, where her organization runs out of. Another question was "Did the Wampanoag win the battle against the pilgrims?" As I said earlier, the Wampanoag did not win the war against them, which caused the language to slowoly dissapear.
What is it about a language that can bring people together?
I think that language can bring people together because it allows people to become closer together through a common intrest. Also, the Native American decendants said that they always felt like something was missing, by learning a language an individual can find that sense of belonging with others. Language can help a person become more interested in culture, and try and find their roots.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Cassia as well. I think that language gives people a gratification because it is something that is THEIR OWN. The Native American's can all speak to each other and communicate easily because they speak the same language. I think the best type of language are pictures though, because anybody can understand a picture.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Mitch and Cassia that language is able to bring people together. It allows people to communicate about their experiences and feelings. Also, by having the same languages such as the Wampanog Tribe this brings back cultural aspects as well that people can share. When people are able to speak an uncommon language they feel the connection of their past and ancestors. This way this culture of Wampanog will not die down.
ReplyDeleteI think that language can bring a tribe or community together because you wiull be able to talk and communicate. When you can communicate you are able to understand each other and not fight. When you have a language you feel proud and it makes you want to talk with it.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Cassia. When people share the same language they have something in common which brings them together. In the past white people have tried to take away Native American's language and culture and tried to transform them all together. So, when a language is revived it gives them hope and brings back a piece of cultural history.
ReplyDeleteI know i look like an idiot when i say pride but being unique and speaking a different language makes that group feel closer together because it brings back there culture and there heritage. if language is the only thing that they really can keep alive then they should cling onto it
ReplyDeleteI think that language is really important, because it provides a way for people to communicate with other people. Language can be interpreted through other things, not just speaking, but being able to speak, say what you mean, means more than just a look or a mannerism. Today just about everyone speaks English, but there are people that have to take it as a second language. We need to keep in mind that you can learn a second language, but we need to make sure that another language can't take the place of the first language you spoke. Language is hanging onto your heritage, and it keeps a lot of the customs alive. For the Native Americans to save a language means saving a culture, and having a language means a lot when you can save it.
ReplyDeleteBrian does not sound like an idiot because i have to agree with him. If Greek was an extinct language today, i would want to learn it and be able to communicate with the rare others who still knew the language, it would give me certain pride that i was greek and could speak it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jackie, who agreed with Mitch, who agreed with Cassia. A language can really bring people together because it is a part of them. The ability to communicate with certain people without others understanding always gives a special feeling. Often it gives a sense of belonging, like a family. It really is just a piece of who you are as a person.
ReplyDeleteLanguage is very important, it is a sense of belonging and community. With this native american language being brought back its reminding this people that their culture is important to keep intact, and that they cannot just be forgotten.
ReplyDeleteI believe that langauge is a bond that people can share. If gives people something in common and naturally makes them feel closer together. It also gives people a way to communicate which we take for granted most of the time. Communication is the only way people can come together and as Americans we just naturally expect people to learn our langauge. Langauge can also define a group of people's culture.
ReplyDeleteLanguage gives people an identity. Without a language, a group has no real way to distinguish themselves and be unique from others. It shows who they are, and gives them one thing that brings them all together.
ReplyDeletea language means so much more than just commmunication. i agree with justin when he said thst language give people an identity. it divides people up into certain stereotypical groups. and it allows people to relate to other another
ReplyDeleteLanguages are also what separates people. If there are two groups and they both speak different languages, they will form together into their own language groups. People who don't speak the same language can't work together. But, the language gives the Indians something to distinguish themselves from each other.
ReplyDeleteI agree with just about everyone that has posted so far. Language brings people together because it gives people something in common. However, I also believe that language doesn't only bring people together, but it forces people together. For example, you would have a very hard time living with someone that you cannot talk to, therefore you would try to live with people you can easily communicate with.
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