- Sec. 44.12.310. Official languages [LANGUAGE]. The English, Inupiaq, Siberian Yupik, Central Alaskan Yup'ik, Alutiiq, Unanga^, Dena'ina, Deg Xinag, Holikachuk, Koyukon, Upper Kuskokwim, Gwich'in, Tanana, Upper Tanana, Tanacross, Hän, Ahtna, Eyak, Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian languages are [LANGUAGE IS] the official languages [LANGUAGE] of the State of Alaska.
No doubt we'll be hearing more about this as the legislative session progresses. After all, it hasn't been all that long since Alaska voters overwhelming adopted (by a margin of 69%) an English only law. Court battles ensued for a decade, and the end result was muddled, in that part of the law was struck down but part upheld. I could point out that the dominant status of English never was threatened (and likely never will be -- at least for the foreseeable future). I could note also that the proposed legislation doesn't demote the status of English but merely puts Native languages on par with English. But I'll save those arguments for another time, after the English-only fear mongers have a chance to react to HB 216. In the meantime it's worth noting how much times have changed. We're not defending ourselves against English-only laws but rather promoting Native languages. Time to stop dwelling on past defeats and start celebrating the Alaska's linguistic heritage. It's been nearly 150 years since English speaking colonists assumed political control of this land. Perhaps it's finally time to acknowledge the original Alaskan languages.
 |
| Tlingit language signage at UAA (courtesy ADN) |
Signs of linguistic celebration are popping up everywhere -- literally. Yesterday's Anchorage Daily News included an article about new Native language signage on the University of Alaska Anchorage campus. Signage has a very important symbolic value in that it gives an enduring voice to Native languages in public spaces.
A closely related issue concerns Native language place names. At is Dec 13, 2013 meeting the Alaska Historical Commission approved the adoption of the Gwich'in name Draanjik as the official name for the Black River, in the Yukon Flats. There is every indication that this name change proposal will be approved by the US Board of Geographic names, and as a result the Gwich'in name will appear on maps and other publications. I learned this week that other river name change proposals are in the works in the Yukon Flats region as well.
Once a geographic name becomes official, signage follows naturally. As an official name the Native name is not merely a variant or alternate name, but rather the name. We probably won't see a lot of signage with the name Draanjik, as there aren't (yet) a lot of signs in the area. But imagine what would happen if Native village names were made official. Suddenly all official literature -- airport signs, census forms, state databases -- would reflect Native language. History shows that it doesn't take too long for these names to have a profound effect on our consciousness. The village names Nanwalek and Nunam Iqua were officially adopted just a few years ago, but already people have stopped as adding the tagline "formerly X". Just think what might happen if all Alaskan villages were known officially by their Native names. (See this list.)
Such ideas are no longer just the realm of imagination. A very motivated group of language activists is currently developing strategies for name changes and other ways to support Native languages in Alaska. Ideas include Native language announcements on ferries and planes, and support for immersion schools. I'm not very good at predictions, and I don't know where all these ideas will go. But what I do see is a groundswell of motivation. If the first decade of the 21st century was about healing, then perhaps the second decade is about action. With so may great ideas being mooted by dedicated language activists across the state, I have no doubt that 2014 will prove to be a year of action for Alaska Native languages.
Aw, the Tlingit is misspelled in that sign. It looks like someone write eʼe when they meant it to be ée. It should be “Yakʼéi haat yigoodée” on that sign. Long final -ée is often written short -í nowadays, but there’s no difference in meaning. (In this context the -í is part of the marking for a subordinate clause, which in this sentence is the object of the main verb yakʼéi ‘it’s good’.)
ReplyDelete