Kanien’keha / Mohawk Indigenous Language Revitalisation Efforts in Canada

Abstract

This paper gives an overview of ongoing revitalisation efforts for Kanien’keha / Mohawk, one of the endangered Indigenous languages in Canada. For the Mohawk people, their language represents a significant part of the culture, identity and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. The endangerment of Kanien’keha and other Indigenous languages in Canada was greatly accelerated by the residential school system. This paper describes the challenges surrounding language revitalisation in Mohawk communities within Canada as well as progress made, specifically for the Kanien’keha / Mohawk language.

The Role of Documentary Linguistics in the Creation of Academic Resources and Materials for Second Language Learners: Conversations with Kanien’kéha Students and Teachers

“…To assess the vitality of Kanien'kéha, Gomashie (2019) utilized four different scales- Bauman's (1980) proposed scale of language vitality, Fishman's (1991) graded typology of the status of threatened languages, UNESCO's Ad Hoc Expert Group on Endangered languages (UNESCO, 2003), and Lewis and Simons (2010) Expanded Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (EGIDS). Bauman's (1980) proposed scale of language vitality has six classifications-flourishing, enduring, declining, endangered, critical and extinct/sleeping.…”

“…Based on Bauman's (1980) scale, Gomashie (2019) classified Kanien'kéha as declining as "a significant part of the adult population… still speak the language, but only a portion of young people and children know the language and most use the nationally or regionally dominant language instead" (Canadian Heritage, 2005, 34, as cited by Gomashie, 2019). Gomashie (2019) also points out that Kanien'kéha is also endangered on the Bauman (1980) scale as, "elders know and use the language, but… parents of childbearing age by and large use a different language with their children, thus disrupting intergenerational transmission" (Canadian Heritage, 2005, p. 34, as cited by Gomashie, 2019). Therefore, in regard to Bauman's (1980) scale, Gomashie (2019) identifies Kanien'kéha as both declining and endangered.…”

“…Gomashie (2019) also points out that Kanien'kéha is also endangered on the Bauman (1980) scale as, "elders know and use the language, but… parents of childbearing age by and large use a different language with their children, thus disrupting intergenerational transmission" (Canadian Heritage, 2005, p. 34, as cited by Gomashie, 2019). Therefore, in regard to Bauman's (1980) scale, Gomashie (2019) identifies Kanien'kéha as both declining and endangered. Gomashie (2019) notes a previous assessment of Kanien'kéha vitality according to the UNESCO (2003) scale.…”

“…Therefore, in regard to Bauman's (1980) scale, Gomashie (2019) identifies Kanien'kéha as both declining and endangered. Gomashie (2019) notes a previous assessment of Kanien'kéha vitality according to the UNESCO (2003) scale. This is a six-level scale that measures language vitality and endangerment.…”

“…UNESCO (2003) made this classification by assessing nine factors: intergenerational language transmission; absolute number of speakers; proportion of speakers within the total population; shifts in domains of language use; response to new domains and medial materials for language education and literacy; governmental and institutional language attitudes and policies; community members attitudes towards their own language; and type and quality of documentation. The UNESCO's Ad Hoc Expert Group on Endangered Languages classified Kanien'kéha as "definitely endangered" as it is no longer being learned as a first language by children in their homes (UNESCO, 2003, as cited by Gomashie, 2019).…”