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Honors Thesis
The Seneca Language and Bilingual Road Signs: A Study in the Sociology of an Indigenous Language
Available from: Ohio State University - Knowledge Bank
Americas, Bilingualism, Indigenous communities, Indigenous peoples, North America, United States of America
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Abstract/Notes: One of the fundamental types of human rights concerns collective-developmental rights which allow minorities to use heritage languages and practices without external interference (Vašák 1977). The protected status of minority language rights is a critical part of language revitalization in which speakers of heritage languages, faced with the encroachment of more socially, politically, and economically dominant languages, embark on vigorous programs to ensure the survival and continued usage of their language. The Five Nations Iroquoian language, Seneca, has just a few remaining speech communities and a variety of ongoing language revitalization initiatives (Mithun 2012). To revitalize their traditional language, community classes through the Seneca Language Department and the Faithkeepers Montessori School Seneca Language Nest for young speakers have concentrated their efforts on preserving Onöndowa'ga:' Gawë:nö' the indigenous name for the Seneca language (Bowen 2020, Murray 2015). In the public sphere, a push by the Seneca Nation of Indians Department of Transportation fulfilling the intent of the federal Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience (NATIVE) Act enacted in 2016, specifically included bilingual signs for state roads running through indigenous land in addition to other significant components (Figura 2016). In an area whose geographic names are strongly connected to Iroquoian languages including Seneca, these bilingual signs represent more public and visible Seneca language presence and stand as symbols of language revitalization. The place names and information that appear on the signs have considerable significance for community identity as well as linguistic and economic impacts, among others. Through oral histories collected from Seneca Nation members and language advocates in addition to a representative from the New York State Department of Transportation, this study pursues an analysis of the Seneca public usage of their heritage language and the various language revitalization efforts occurring among indigenous and minority communities internationally. As the COVID-19 pandemic threatens already vulnerable populations, heritage languages that have been historically oppressed face a global language crisis that disproportionately harms and disadvantages speakers of heritage and minority languages (Roche 2020). While the language of road signs may seem mundane, this study reveals how the Seneca bilingual signs play a significant role in awareness of indigenous territory and consequently stimulation of the local economy as well as supporting language learning, revitalization, and de-stigmatization. Primarily through the efforts of the Seneca community, the bilingual signs represent the expression of language rights in the public sphere and one part of the ongoing language revitalization.
Language: English
Published: Columbus, Ohio, 2021
Archival Material Or Collection
Box 15, Folder 32 - Notes, ca. 1929-1948 - "The Incarnation of Language or The Sensitive Period for Language"
Available from: Seattle University
Date: ca.1929-1948
Edwin Mortimer Standing - Biographic sources, Edwin Mortimer Standing - Writings
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Language: English
Archive: Seattle University, Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons, Special Collections
Article
First Language Reading Skills Transfer to Second Language
Publication: El Boletin [Comité Hispano Montessori], no. 22
Date: Oct 30, 1987
Pages: 2
Bilingualism, Comité Hispano Montessori - Periodicals, Language acquisition
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Language: English
Book Section
Language Games Children Play: Language Invention in a Montessori Primary School
Available from: Springer Link
Book Title: Handbook of the Changing World Language Map
Pages: 1-14
Child development, Imaginary languages, Language acquisition, Linguistics, Montessori method of education, Montessori schools
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Abstract/Notes: This chapter illustrates the main results of a language laboratory held in a Montessori primary school in Milan, Italy, during 7 years. Pupils (age: 9–11) are guided in the collective invention of a secret language, using all their linguistic repertoire present in class – including minority and home languages. The structure of the language is highly influenced by the language of instruction (in our case, Italian), but, at the same time, it differs from that because its aim is to be secret. In other words, the invented language is shared among the class members only, who know how to decipher its alphabet and grammar, unlike other schoolmates. Secrecy permits the inventor to insert elements from other languages, resulting in an a priori language contact. During the process of invention, participants increase their metalinguistic awareness and thus their understanding of the languages they are studying formally – in our case, Italian and English. The Montessori method fosters a “learning-by-doing” approach and an active interdisciplinary cross-fertilization (called Cosmic Education). In fact, pupils may use the secret language to create an imaginary country – usually an island – and conceive a utopian society, putting together notions of natural sciences (for instance, orography) and social sciences, in particular, to describe the ideal human society speaking their secret language. The chapter also includes reflection on how this language laboratory can be applied in other educational contexts, maintaining its original character of being a serious game for learning.
Language: English
Published: Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2019
ISBN: 978-3-319-73400-2
Article
Language Flowering, Language Empowering: 20 Ways Parents and Teachers Can Assist Young Children
Publication: Montessori Life, vol. 13, no. 4
Date: 2001
Pages: 31–35
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Language: English
ISSN: 1054-0040
Article
Entwicklung der Sprache und sprachliche Erziehung [Language development and linguistic education]
Publication: Montessori: Zeitschrift für Montessori-Pädagogik, vol. 38, no. 1-2
Date: 2000
Pages: 28-41
Children - Language, Language acquisition, Montessori method of education
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Language: German
ISSN: 0944-2537
Article
Speech and Language Therapy at the Mary Frier Montessori Special Education School [Cleveland, OH]
Publication: Montessori Special News, vol. 9, no. 1
Date: Aug 1984
Pages: 3
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Language: English
Article
Early Education in Houston, Texas [Miss Lucy's Early Childhood Education Center]
Publication: Montessori Observer, vol. 5, no. 7
Date: Oct 1984
Pages: 3
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Language: English
ISSN: 0889-5643
Article
NCME Welcomes Two New Teacher Education Programs [Saint Louis Center/Montessori Education; Maine Montessori Institute]
Publication: The National Montessori Reporter, vol. 25, no. 4
Date: 2001
Pages: 35
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Language: English
Article
Review: Hundred Years of Montessori Education: A Chronicle of Montessori Education in Switzerland
Publication: Communications (Association Montessori Internationale, 195?-2008), vol. 2008, no. 1
Date: 2008
Pages: 85-87
Book reviews, Europe, Harald Ludwig - Writings, Switzerland, Western Europe
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Language: English
ISSN: 0519-0959