Indigenous Language Influence
Prior to colonization, it is estimated that there were 300 distinct Indigenous languages in North America. The true number of languages is unknown due to the fact that many of them disappeared before they could be documented, as they were solely oral languages. Today, more than two-thirds of Indigenous languages spoken in what is known as Canada are endangered. These languages have been classified as endangered using a multifaceted method to assess language vitality created by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Some Indigenous languages in Canada are only spoken by a few hundred people and this is also the case across Turtle Island and what is known as South America. The number of some Indigenous language speakers range from 6.5 million speakers to a mere 2 speakers.
Reasons why languages are being lost:
There are unfortunately many reasons why Indigenous languages are being lost. Diseases brought from Europe via European settlers that almost wiped out entire tribes, took many languages too. Legislation like the Indian Act that forbade the expression of culture further suppressed indigenous languages. The most infamous cause for the loss of indigenous languages is the residential school system. Children who were taken from their families and sent to residential schools were forced to speak English and punished if they spoke their native tongue. About 150,000 Indigenous children were in the Canadian residential school system over an 88 year period. This is about four generations of Indigenous children that were banned from speaking their language.
When a language is lost, there are numerous negative effects. Cesar Chavez once said, “Our language is the reflection of ourselves. A language is an exact reflection of the character and growth of its speakers”. Language, for any person, is a part of their culture. When Indigenous language is lost, so is a part of their culture and connection to those who came before them. Research has been done that proves a strong connection to one’s culture and a strong sense of identity helps a person’s well-being. This is due to the fact that culture heavily shapes how a person interacts with others, relaxes, practices self-care, and resolves conflicts- all important parts of a person’s wellbeing.
Influence of Indigenous languages:
On the positive side, despite the loss of many Indigenous languages, the influence of various Indigenous words and languages is undeniable. Almost half of America’s states have Indigenous origins.
States like Arkansas meaning south wind (Algonkian language), Minnesota meaning sky-tinted waters (Sioux) and the Dakotas meaning friend and ally in the Sioux language. Indigenous place names are found in every state, most commonly cities. But if many places non-indigenous people know and love have Indigenous name origins or inspirations, why do so few people acknowledge it?
It’s important to know the history of where you live. The easiest place to start learning more about where you live is learning about the name of the place. When you know the meaning of your own name or why you were given the name, it gives you a bigger sense of understanding and gratitude. Many places with Indigenous name influence have meanings that are specific to the area. For example, the Potomac River that runs through Washington DC, West Virginia, Maryland and Virginia got its name from the Piscataway language. The original word was ‘patawomeck’ which means ‘they bring it’. This referred to the trade that was done on the river long before America was established as a country.
In Squamish, British Columbia, Canada, for hundreds of kilometers, the signs on the highway have both the English name and the local Indigenous language name for cities.
This was done in an effort to remind people of the prominent Indigenous history in the area.
To take it even further, an Indigenous local started a YouTube channel teaching people how to pronounce the names on the highway. This humanizes the efforts to remind people of the Indigenous culture and people in the area. The Indigenous names became more than just words on a board, but a living breathing language that non-indigenous people can appreciate like any other language. No different from learning the Latin or Greek root words for words we know today, taking the time to learn about the influence of Indigenous languages creates a greater appreciation for diversity and helps foster inclusion.
The importance of keeping Indigenous languages alive:
Keeping Indigenous languages alive is a task that many Indigenous communities have been fighting to fulfil. After hundreds of years of language loss due to death from diseases, colonization and not being able to speak their language in residential schools- the need to keep language alive thus keeping their culture alive, is imperative for Indigenous communities. Indigenous language and influences are all around us, we just need to take the time to acknowledge it. Taking the time to acknowledge and learn about Indigenous influence in our daily life allows us to make clearer connections between our past and present.
References:
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2018/06/21/indigenous-languages_a_23465069/
https://www.creativespirits.info/aboriginalculture/language/loss-of-aboriginal-languages
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/07/02/how-each-state-got-its-name/112043890/
http://mithun.faculty.linguistics.ucsb.edu/pdfs/1998%20Nat%20Am%20Lgs%20Encarta.pdf
https://www.headtohealth.gov.au/meaningful-life/connectedness/culture
https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/education/arkansas-history/how-did-arkansas-get-its-name
https://www.exploreminnesota.com/article/museums-historic-sites-share-american-indian-cultures
