My first weblog was about Aboriginal language revitalization strategies.  There were links posted of specific examples of language revitalization initiatives.  This example is an immersion program to promote the Tlingit language of Alaska.  In this immersion program, the language learners go on a 10 day retreat to remote communities where they can only speak the Tlingit language.

This is unique because the aim of the program is to create a natural setting where the language can be used and re-create the feeling of living in an all-speaking Tlingit community.  It creates an opportunity for Tlingit speaking people to converse with others and new language learners to learn from the elders.  Previous students of these retreats have also moved on to become teachers of the language and take on the responsibility of keeping the language alive.  It was also noted that the Aboriginal communities created tighter bonds as a culture since they have been able to communicate in Tlingit language.

Not only are Aboriginal Alaskans trying to revitalize their own language they are also creating a model for learning language for other southern Aboriginal tribes to adopt to help revitalize their own language.

After reading this article, I thought it was a useful strategy for these learners to go on a retreat together.  In our readings this week, Turner emphasized how stories are connected to the land and how important it is to create that relationship.  I think this shows a great example of how the Aboriginal Alaskans connect their language to the land in a retreat making it more meaningful.

http://www.sealaskaheritage.org/news/news_article_sitka_immersion_2004.htm