Navajo Language Academy Summer Workshops 2007

[ethnonomad]

Some 7000 languages are spoken around the world today. Studies show that one language disappears every two weeks. Language is not simply a set of words that are used for people to communicate. A language is the full expression of a group’s social identity. It is the vehicle by which human beings express their thoughts, myths and values. When an ancient tongue disappears, elders carry to their grave part of humanity’s culture and knowledge. Ethnonomad

[MrRedbear1961]

I for one agree with the upper statement. I too would love to learn more. My Grandfather made his journey when i was young. Anyone knowing how i could get more info on this, please let me know.

[SnowBoardNative]

Ahéhee'



[lumaix]

Esperanto should be learnt world wide. English takes 20x as long to learn and is unflexible... All cultures should just learn local languages worldwide and use Esperanto to communicate worldwide. English is an ugly dinosaur homogenising language. It's so difficult to learn that people drop their native languages since they need that time to learn English.

[TheMontageBW]

@lumaix *Inflexible

English is one of the most flexible languages in the world. Esperanto is very INflexible because of its restrictive endings.

[iamlondon]

No one spoke Hebrew as a first language for over 1500 years. Now because of ONE MAN the whole of Israel speaks it! There are no excuses. The Irish are also on track to replace English after 500 years. Come on Navajo nation, get with the program!

[freelivesthebird]

me too I don't know my own Navaojo language! It makes me sad because it's like I don't care about my native side. but I grew up in washington.

[johonaaei]

Im Navajo, but i never learned the language because i grew up in Los Angeles, and i was never around my family enough to learn. I studied in Japan though, and i speak Japanese, but i wish i could speak the language of my people.

[jwolynetz]

Then start learning it, my friend! What are you waiting for? Life is short and you're never too old to learn. Good luck!

[zunnyjohn]

Johonaaei you can learn your native language now is not late to learn it . let me tell you that i'm from Guatemala centralamerica i speak my native language called Mayan Quiche , also i speak spanish the official language in my country. When i arrived to USA i didn't know english ,now i speak 80% english because i really want to learn that's why i know english. I am interested to learn mandarin chinese language . i will learn it . i encourage you Johonae learn your native language good luck..

[scheming8rythem]

@zunnyjohn Hey thanks for your comment i am Navajo and i speak Din'e Bizaad and english and now i can speak some spanish just because i want to!! :)

[navajo002]

i am 100% navajo and i dont really understand the language and dont remember my own clan . it only makes me fall asleep. the only language i know is english and hindi

[kdcruz75]

how have u learned hindi .. i'm curious .. i cam e across this video researching the avatar movie ...and the moorish connection .. are u aware of the presence of moors in 7th century amerika google : 7th century islamic inscriptions nebraska there is a hindi(sanskrit) sloka in the inscriptions . can u guess what it is? i invite u to check out my playlist on law and its hidden elements. the system is on the verge of being decoded for everyone.. the second deluge is in sights

[kdcruz75]

sorry i gave u a wrong link

google : 7th Century Islamic inscriptions on Nevada rocks

there are malaya connections as well which join up with the hindu king vikramaditya.

google: MUSLIMS IN THE AMERICAS BEFORE COLUMBUS

for a ticket to hollywood

check out user 111truth111

and google: pseudo occult media

[tgltyty]

@navajo002 Why would you want to learn hindi and not your own language?

[n1zh0n1]

Hey it's my old instructor Lorraine Legai, I can't believe she still has the same hair style, I like the white streaks. Thanks for encouraging me to learn my Diné Bizaad!

[dzsugasvili82]

Interesting language. I'd try to learn it once...

[wobeck]

Hózhǫ́ náhásdlį́į́ʼ.

[BajorRon]

Yáát´ééh! A question for all Diné out there: how do you feel about bilagáana interested in learning (or attempting to learn) diné bizaad?

[tabletalk33]

@BajorRon, as a bilagáana, I feel joyful! All languages have grace and beauty, as well as an ingenious way of describing the world. Some say that the power of speech is a gift from God. I agree. Like all languages, Navajo has many hidden charms awaiting the patient student. I dare say that use of language is the greatest of delights for the human mind. This can be doubly rewarding with a foreign language, if only one practices patience! Do you resent me for the joy I feel?

[nacho0freak]

Amen, God Bless what you are trying to do...

[magnamagus]

Navajo needs to be included in the STATE RUN Schools Along with English. Its mess up that Schools on Rez only teach in english --- mostly -- THats the Problem -- The schools are teaching White Supremacy - Eurocentric Ideals -- Its Very Racist and indians Dont want to Stand up to it -- The Fact that its Destroying The language and people still wont stand up to it.....is no one's fault but our own. People need to stop sitting on their asses and do something about it.....

[brokencoin]

I would develop a system that is easy to learn, using english sounds close to Navajo language. Then make it popular to Navajo girls. Then find ways so they can see the language on a day to day bases. Finding out whats Navajo teens are into these days and integrating it into their lives. What about Navajos in other states spreading culture and food.

[Aarodin]

NAVAJO PRIDE!

[adamstokke]

Well, basically Navajo is a tonal language. The stress doesn't matter so much as the tones. When I say tonal, think of languages like Mandarin or Vietnamese. So yes, the tones you use do matter, in that a word with low tone can be different than a word with high tone. Also, there are also constrasts that happen that are different than English. The word 'chaa' means beaver. The word 'chAA' (where the AA = a long nasal 'a') means 'excrement.' So there you go. :)

[MrExnihilo]

I goofed. I was trying to click on the thumbs up icon and misses and hit the thumbs down by mistake! (I can be such a nerd if I try!)

I was actually going to ask that very question regarding Navajo being tonal. Thank you for anwering it.

[MrExnihilo]

Sorry, I was speaking to the grownups on this page.

[EMPERORMIKI]

Well, spoken language has little to do with rhythm as far as meaning is concerned. Generally, if you speak too slowly (rhythm) you're a dumbass. Speak too fast and you're insane. Human language is universal in this regard.

[shashmatomuskwa]

I have the massive grammer and dictionary of Navaho, and I'm trying to learn it from that. I did used to have the book 'Breakthrough Navajo' but unfortunately I lent it to someone and never got it back, and it's so expensive here in England!

[dinekid19]

ha ah tii? do shil ba ha zin da? dee gisss!!!!! ayyyyyyeeeeeeeeeee

[dinekid19]

Ha a tii? Do shil ba hazin da? de giis!!!!! LOl Im only 1/4 but I grew up in the rez, and when i was in High School, i help teach more blooded Navajos this language. We need to keep it alive fuck English. besides English is so confusing.

[akumie]

english is the least descrptive language in the world

[TLucretiusCarus]

@akumie - You used English to make your point, are you confident of your statement? It would have been better to say it in another language: Lingua Civitatum Foederatarum Americae Septentrionalis, appellatur Anglicum quoque English, non conferre significantiam potest.

[akumie]

föredrar du svenska eller?

Prefieres xastellnao o que?

[TLucretiusCarus]

@akumie - Itane vero? Quod Anglicum ex ore inimicorum, vel grammaticum linguae?

[PHRASERPHRASER]

Up the Navajos

[shadowbullet12]

up the irons(navajo) nice

[XDRyuMugiwarazDX]

im pretty sure navajo indians played a important part into world war 2 code talking??

[navajodorkboythef]

what an awesome clip. The lady, Cecelia Silentman-Carr, was my teacher when I was in mid school. She is a wonderful instructor and took me to many places to learn and write the language. She wasn't the only but Mrs. Barbara Howard too. I attended a school where the best Navajo language was taught. Today I still lack the ability to speak fluently but I can write, read, and understand the language. :)

[rhiasorr]

We really need to hang on to the language. This bullshit they're spewing about how Navajo immersion is interfering with English comprehension is something Arizona's board of education just pulled out of their ass. It's just another attempt to wipe out the culture.

[adamstokke]

Exactly. And that's what has been happening all along. I am not Navajo but I strongly support these efforts. I am even trying to learn. Language IS culture. "It is the paramount duty of all who speak Navajo to perpetuate it." Damn straight.

[XDRyuMugiwarazDX]

only word i know is woolachi means white men and bolaganna means any...:))

[Keana1120]

uhh no

the second one you said means white men

I'm half Navajo

NaTiVe~PrIdE

[XDRyuMugiwarazDX]

ohh sorry than woolachi means ant??

[Keana1120]

umm. . .

sadly,

i only know like 4 words and a sentence.

ahaha

i don't know what that means....

[purespirit9]

I think the first one means ants...lol

[XDRyuMugiwarazDX]

ohhh haha:D

[intercepticmail]

Well as they say on tha vid. Ppl hardly speak the language anymore,,, and why? well its a unnessesary language. Have no use 4 it anywhere :S or maby i should say anymore. We have a spread language in the world, not proud of it but its the USA crapy language. Why, just asking WHY do we have so many different languages when there are just one cind in this world... Why spending time learning diff cinds of language ...... Waste. All we need is one language. its the 21cetury FFS. PPL suck :D

[XDRyuMugiwarazDX]

its not that its unesacary?? its just sacred

[EMPERORMIKI]

No language is "necessary" as they all change constantly ... it's a great tragedy when something as creative as human language dies. Obviously I cannot say that language shouldn't die, as languages do die, but that it is as tragic as losing someone close to you in your life—save that languages last longer than any one life.

There is a thing called beauty and that is conveyed through language—musical, spoken, etc.—and it is a great good thing.

[dsegarreuth]

Hello It is my pleasure to meet a Navajo Deni`. I am Dene` su,lline speaking and vary proud to speak it fluently. I wish you all the best in maintain g your beautiful language. Our eyes are on you as we work towards maintaing our language.

[drunkengine]

I would like to learn to speak Navajo. Why couldnt you start with the basics wright here on you tube. What better way to help those of us that are wanting to learn. I am unable to take time off of work to go to classes so far away from home. Its great that N.L.A. has started this program but few to little are being taught. We live in an age where you can learn a language with rosetastone. Its just a thought. One class a year is not enough to save Navajo from becoming a dead language. Thks N.L.A.

[mflynn79]

I heard that Rosetta Stone program is working on Navajo for their next language release. The last I heard was this spring, but I haven't been able to find any more info.

[drunkengine]

Hey thanks for the info. I sure hope it happens. I would be proud to learn Navajo.

[adamstokke]

That would be fantastic. I hope this rumor is true.

[adamstokke]

About Rosetta Stone, that is.

[EMPERORMIKI]

LOL. Run into some Roman speaking Navajo in Scotland. That would make me giddy.

[purespirit9]

Awesome! would like to get one as it is first release for my kids. Thx for the info.

[XDRyuMugiwarazDX]

dude its literally imposiible to learn navajo unless u have a ancestor that was a navajo indian ive tried to learn it but saying it fast like them is a big ass tongue twister and if u can learn it tell me what u want

[sevenx007xseven]

Whats so hard? I just ask my grandma...if I couldn't say a word I just point and she'd tell me how to say it andso far she's helped me pretty good. I didn't want some white man or some "white man" school system to teach me. Its all at your feet you just have to grab the opportunity yourself...easy to make excuses but a lot tougher to take action!

[kaoruneko16]

I know how horrible it must be for grandparents to be unable to talk to their grandkids. I could not talk with my grandma. it caused me a lot of pain and regret. It affected me deeply. To this day I still wish I could speak navajo. That is why I am working on it.

[COVERSbyCHEMA]

Its happening all arround the world, Cultural imperialism. IN ORDER TO SAVE OUR INDIGENOUS LANGUAGES, WE MUST NOT TEACH THEM TO OUR CHILDREN, BUT SPEAK IT TO THEM.

[bitterchew]

I've always wondered back in the old days could Indians from different tribes communicate? For example could a Cherokee meet up with a Navajo and have a conversation.

[bimboblacky]

Some of the tribes in the Iroquois (I think) used SIGN LANGUAGE. Don't think a Navajo and a Cherokee could have "pulled it off," however.

[purespirit9]

Hmmm...I wonder too...lol :p

[CaptianKay]

I would love to learn how to speak Navajo and so would my dad.

[allenc6665]

YEAH!!!!!!! Diné POWER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[r2d23678]

@CaptianKay then fuckin do it, you have no excuses.

[hotstuffdavis95]

1st comment w00t