Aboriginal Language Planning

A Guide for Community Activists

Language planning for Aboriginal languages involves very different conditions and concerns than planning standard national languages. These pages introduce some of the key issues and provide resource guides for those who wish to explore them further.

Canada

Language Strategies for First Nations Communities

To be posted.

Provincial Policies in Aboriginal Language Education

To be posted.

On-line resources

Handbook for Aboriginal Language Program Planning in British Columbia

Written by Marianne Ignace, this excellent handbook, published by the First Nations Education Steering Committee in April 1998, provides an overview of many aspects of language maintenance in Aboriginal communities. Its contents include:

  1. Introduction
  2. The State of British Columbia Aboriginal Languages
  3. Why Preserve and Revitalize Aboriginal Languages?
  4. Language Planning and Language Revitalization: What Works?
  5. Setting Goals According to Your Needs and Your Situation
  6. Strategies for Restoring and Revitalizing Use of First Nations Languages
  7. Planning a Formal Language Program and Making Sense of Provincial Policies
  8. Aboriginal Language Curriculum
  9. Training and Certifying Aboriginal Language Teachers
  10. Language Authorities and/or Councils of Speakers/Elders
  11. Finding the Resources to Revive Your Language
  12. References

Teaching Indigenous Languages

Many valuable papers and other kinds of information from the Stabilizing Indigenous Languages Conferences.

Resource Guide to Native American Language Renewal

Compiled by Jon Reyhner for the Tribal College Journal, Spring 2000, this lists:

Terralingua's Internet Resource List on Language Endangerment, Survival, and Revitalization

Wide-ranging set of international links.

Mail questions or comments to Mark Fettes.