Saving Our Language

There was a time when everyone in the area that is now Alaska spoke a language other than English. In the late 1700s, the region was home to about 80,000 people. More than 25 languages were spoken among the groups. That changed when the United States purchased the Alaska territory from Russia in 1867. Americans moved to Alaska and made English the main language. Native teachers and students were not allowed to speak their own languages in schools.

“Students were punished if they used a Native language,” explains Mitchell. “They were made to stand in corners, and their mouths were washed out with soap.”

Alaska wasn’t the only place where this happened. In the late 19th century, the U.S. government forced Native American kids across the country to speak only English.

As generations passed, fewer Native Alaskans learned the languages of their ancestors. Some of the languages disappeared. When the last person to speak a language dies, the language dies with them. This is much like animals that go extinct when the last of their species dies. When a language is lost, the history of a community often vanishes with it.

In 1990, the U.S. Congress passed the Native American Languages Act. The law encouraged Native Americans to once again use their own languages proudly. It also said that schools were no longer allowed to ban kids from speaking native languages.

Everyone in the area that is now Alaska used to speak a language other than English. In the late 1700s, about 80,000 people lived there. They spoke more than 25 languages. That changed in 1867. The United States bought the Alaska territory from Russia. Americans moved to Alaska. They made English the main language. Native teachers and students were not allowed to speak their own languages in schools.

“Students were punished if they used a Native language,” explains Mitchell. “They were made to stand in corners, and their mouths were washed out with soap.”

Alaska wasn’t the only place where this happened. In the late 19th century, the U.S. government forced Native American kids across the country to speak only English.

Generations passed. Fewer Native Alaskans learned the languages of their ancestors. Some of the languages disappeared. When the last person to speak a language dies, the language dies with them. This is much like animals that go extinct when the last of their species dies. When a language is lost, the history of a community often vanishes with it.

In 1990, the U.S. Congress passed the Native American Languages Act. The law said Native Americans should use their own languages proudly. It also said that schools were no longer allowed to ban kids from speaking native languages. 

This law paved the way for a new school to open its doors in Bethel in 1995. It was named after its founder, Ayaprun Jones. Ayaprun Elitnaurvik (ah-yuhp-ruhn lit-now-vik) was the first school in Alaska to teach students in both Yup’ik and English. At the time, most kids in Bethel understood very little Yup’ik.

“Students were learning little bits of language here and there,” says Jones. “But Yup’ik wasn’t being taught for students to learn how to communicate.”

Students at the school are taught only in Yup’ik from kindergarten through third grade. No English is spoken in class. By the time students reach fifth grade, half their classes are taught in English and the other half in Yup’ik.

But the kids are learning more than just a language. Fifth- and sixth-graders take a class called “The Ways of Living.” They are taught many of the skills their ancestors once used to survive in southwestern Alaska. They learn how to sew mittens, ice fish, hunt, and more.

“The kids need to say ‘I’m proud to be Yup’ik,’” says Jones. “You don’t get pride when you don’t speak your language or practice your culture.”

This law paved the way for a new school to open its doors in Bethel in 1995. It was named after its founder, Ayaprun Jones. Ayaprun Elitnaurvik (ah-yuhp-ruhn lit-now-vik) was the first school in Alaska to teach students in both Yup’ik and English. At the time, most kids in Bethel understood very little Yup’ik.

“Students were learning little bits of language here and there,” says Jones. “But Yup’ik wasn’t being taught for students to learn how to communicate.”

Students at the school are taught only in Yup’ik from kindergarten through third grade. No English is spoken in class. By the time students reach fifth grade, half their classes are taught in English. The other half are taught in Yup’ik.

But the kids are learning more than just a language. Fifth- and sixth-graders take a class called “The Ways of Living.” They are taught many of the skills their ancestors once used to survive in southwestern Alaska. They learn how to sew mittens, ice fish, hunt, and more.

“The kids need to say ‘I’m proud to be Yup’ik,’ ” says Jones. “You don’t get pride when you don’t speak your language or practice your culture.”

Despite the school’s efforts, there’s still a long way to go. Experts estimate that less than 4 percent of Alaskans speak an indigenous language. Because so few native speakers are left, Alaska Governor Bill Walker declared a language emergency in the state. He issued an order that calls for all Alaskan public schools to introduce native languages to students.

Jones says teaching the languages to a new generation of Alaskans is the key to solving the problem.

“They are the ones who will be holding on to our culture when we are gone,” says Jones. “They are the future.”

Despite the school’s efforts, there’s still a long way to go. Experts say that less than 4 percent of Alaskans speak an indigenous language. Very few native speakers are left. So Alaska Governor Bill Walker declared a language emergency in the state. He issued an order to all Alaskan public schools. The order told schools to introduce native languages to students.

Jones says teaching the languages to a new generation of Alaskans is the key to solving the problem.

“They are the ones who will be holding on to our culture when we are gone,” says Jones. “They are the future.”

1. How is Ayaprun Elitnaurvik similar to and different from other schools in the U.S.?

2. What is the main idea of the section “Dying Words”?

3. How does a language die out? What happens as a result?

4. What text structure does the article mostly follow? How do you know?

1. How is Ayaprun Elitnaurvik similar to and different from other schools in the U.S.?

2. What is the main idea of the section “Dying Words”?

3. How does a language die out? What happens as a result?

4. What text structure does the article mostly follow? How do you know?