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New research aims to save dying languages
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Ethel Gardner, 604.268.6795, ebg@sfu.ca
Carol Thorbes, Media & PR, 604.291.3035, cthorbes@sfu.ca
Ethel Gardner, 604.268.6795, ebg@sfu.ca
Carol Thorbes, Media & PR, 604.291.3035, cthorbes@sfu.ca
March 4, 2005
Ethel B Gardner, known as Stelómethet in her Stó:lo aboriginal community, is fusing the technical wizardry of new media with the ancient knowledge of her elders in a bid to save her dying language. The Simon Fraser University assistant professor of education is developing an electronic master-apprentice language-learning program, the first of its kind in BC. Three Stó:lo Nation elders will be the program's first masters, helping its first apprentices-six Stó:lo teachers in training-become fluent in their mother tongue: Stó:lo Halq'eméylem. The apprentices speak the language but need to become highly fluent to teach in an ideal language immersion setting.
With only four Stó:lo Nation elders left who are fully fluent in Stó:lo Halq'eméylem, the ancient tongue is on the critically endangered list of aboriginal languages. Gardner is a well-known expert on aboriginal language renewal. She believes computer and worldwide web technologies can help revive her language by making it easier for its few remaining fluent speakers to pass on their knowledge. The electronic master-apprentice program will bring together far away masters and apprentices into one electronic face-to-face learning environment at a mutually convenient time. The apprentices will have completed language and culture teacher training through a SFU/Stó:lo partnership program.
Using computer-assisted instruction, web-based writing and teaching tools, and audio/video web communication techniques, masters in the e-program will coach students from their own homes. Students can practice language constructs on their own time, using pre-recorded audiovisual material created by the masters.
“The results of this study will have implications for the fields of education, linguistics, cultural studies and First Nations studies,” observes Gardner.
Stó:lo Nation and five other partners are involved in Gardner's project. Funded by a $250,000 newly created aboriginal research grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Gardner's research is slated to finish in April 2007.
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(electronic photo file available on request)
Websites:
Social science and humanities research council:
www.sshrc.ca/web/winning/comp_results_e.asp
www.sshrc.ca/web/apply/background/aboriginal_backgrounder_e.pdf
With only four Stó:lo Nation elders left who are fully fluent in Stó:lo Halq'eméylem, the ancient tongue is on the critically endangered list of aboriginal languages. Gardner is a well-known expert on aboriginal language renewal. She believes computer and worldwide web technologies can help revive her language by making it easier for its few remaining fluent speakers to pass on their knowledge. The electronic master-apprentice program will bring together far away masters and apprentices into one electronic face-to-face learning environment at a mutually convenient time. The apprentices will have completed language and culture teacher training through a SFU/Stó:lo partnership program.
Using computer-assisted instruction, web-based writing and teaching tools, and audio/video web communication techniques, masters in the e-program will coach students from their own homes. Students can practice language constructs on their own time, using pre-recorded audiovisual material created by the masters.
“The results of this study will have implications for the fields of education, linguistics, cultural studies and First Nations studies,” observes Gardner.
Stó:lo Nation and five other partners are involved in Gardner's project. Funded by a $250,000 newly created aboriginal research grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Gardner's research is slated to finish in April 2007.
-30-
(electronic photo file available on request)
Websites:
Social science and humanities research council:
www.sshrc.ca/web/winning/comp_results_e.asp
www.sshrc.ca/web/apply/background/aboriginal_backgrounder_e.pdf