Alaskan Language Project

Paper Summary:

The paper relates that the continuance and historical understanding of the remaining approximate 200 tribal languages in Alaska is a significant cultural and educational concern for the American Indian and Alaska Native societies. The paper looks at the Yupik language in order to determine how to study and preserve it. The paper presents a research proposal to contrast and compare Yupik tales to other tales from the Native-Americans, the Anglo-Europeans, Africans and the Asians. This would allow an examination of the differences and similarities between cultures.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Literature Review
Research Proposal

From the Paper:

"Languages have subtle nuances that cannot be translated. They embody the philosophy of a people. This information is gone when its language disappears. Linguists now believe that half the languages spoken today will disappear within the next century. This is true for some Yupik Eskimo communities in Alaska, where just 20 years ago all of the children spoke Yupik. Now, the youngest speakers of Yupik in some of these communities are in their 20s, and the children speak only English (Robins; Alaskan Native Language Center)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Avagalria, M.K. (2006). Yupik Eskimo Fairy Tales. New York: Vantage Press.
• Greymorning, S. (1997). Going beyond words: The Arapaho immersion program. In J. Reyhner (Ed.), Teaching indigenous languages (pp. 22-30). Flagstaff: Northern Arizona University. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 415 061)
• Greymorning, S. (1999). Running the gauntlet of an indigenous language program. In J. Reyhner, G. Cantoni, R. N. St. Clair, & E. P. Yazzie (Eds.), Revitalizing indigenous languages. Flagstaff: Northern Arizona University. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 428 924)
• Jacobson, A.W. (1998). Yup'ik Stories Read Aloud = Yugcetun Qulirat Naaqumalriit Erinairissuutmun. With Transcriptions and Word-by-Word Translations. Alaska Native Language Center: University of Alaska Fairbanks
• Krauss, M. (1996). Status of Native American language endangerment. In G. Cantoni (Ed.), Stabilizing indigenous languages (pp. 16-21). Flagstaff: Northern Arizona University, Center for Excellence in Education.

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