When humans first learn a language, they have people around them that are constantly using it and books that contain the written way of that language. When the language is no longer used by through the four skills, speaking, listening, reading, and writing, the language can go extinct. A language can die when the last members who utilize them pass away or when people have to learn the dominant language in their environment and forget about their old language. Linguists can help preserve a language by working with native speakers to audio record their conversations. Having a dictionary, preferably online so that it doesn’t get misplaced, and having the audio translation will also help. Other artifacts, songs, and dances that are part of the culture can also be recorded. In this way, the older generations can pass down the knowledge of the language and culture to the newer generation. This can even help bring back a dead language to life. In the article, it mentioned that the language of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians went from a status of nonexistent to federally recognized. It also mentioned that the dances were adopted by the surrounding tribes, but at that time, the language was not adopted. The process took many decades, but now there are around 4,900 members in the Siletz tribe.
The government once used schools to extinguish the native ways but now the language of the Siletz is offered in public school. Learning this new language allows students to meet the language requirement in Oregon. The tribe is continuing to spread their language and culture so that it can be appreciated and preserved.
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