Lakota Lesson 1: The Silent Way

Start here to try the Silent Way of learning Lakota/Dakota. You'll see a situation where the meaning is more or less apparent to you. Now start using the Lakota words to express the meaning you already know. Remember too, the Silent Way was used in New Zealand to jump start the revitalization of Maori. Their revitalization didn't begin with the "language nests" for preschool children; it began with Maori adults who found they quickly learned to speak their language this way. The energy released by this learning led them to develop the "language nests" so the children didn't have to experience Native language loss as they had.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Lakota language
• Dakota
• Silent Way
• Language
• nests
• Rakau

[aikoekadan]

This method does not make even the slightest bit of sense to me. :|

[girma1jo]

@aikoekadan

Maybe it will help if you don't think of it as a method. It's a matter of trusting yourself just as you did learning your first language -- things and actions were happening and all we had was sound, no translation. We figured it all out by eliminating some meanings, holding on to others and trying them out. It's the trying and the trusting oneself that makes it work.

[whisperingdeath308]

is there any more lessons i would like to learn more!

[girma1jo]

@whisperingdeath308

Have you tried lessons 2-7 already? We can put up more lessons if there's interest.

[girma1jo]

@MNEsharpshooter

Not sure why your comment and question doesn't show up...but, yes, the approach has been effective for many. The Maori adopted it in 1979 and it has been at the heart of their successful revival of their Native language. Closer to home, a friend, Rosalie Little Thunder, uses the approach at Black Hills State University (SD) and I've heard her students using the language very well. I think Olivia at Sisseton Wahpeton College uses the approach for teaching Dakota. Up to you.

[girma1jo]

@lossunbearable

Trust yourself and use the word with the meaning that you find. Of course keep an open mind for small (or big) adjustments along the way. That's learning. (Sorry there are no shortcuts that actually work.)

[paumoco]

kumaravadivelu calls it a designer non-method XD

[littleelkrivera]

@judyloch :: LMAO !!

[phailaphaila]

ok...that is hysterical! seriously, i have never seen a professional native american comedian. he could totally corner the market on that if he wanted too :-P no joke!

[judyloch]

@phailaphaila just a funny comment about the smoke signals. A native friend while working one day was outside on break with many others. Some were natives, but just as many non natives also. Then on the other side of the street a big explosion happened.( It was far enough to not hurt any of them.) My friend sits and looks at the huge puff of smoke that billows upward and says.."Wish I had said that". Non of the non natives got the humor in it. Gotta love the native humor. lol