Language·Education·Assimilation: A Study on U.S. Indian Language Policy

Author: Cai Yongliang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-10-01
Features: Language is the foundation of culture. From the boarding schools for Native American languages, Native Americans have endured the painful experience of being forced to abandon their native languages, and the process of being transformed into yellow-skinned, white-faced people by the white society has lasted for over a century. This book introduces the U.S. government's Native American language policies over the years and the social movements by the white society regarding Native American language issues. It is well-documented and highly readable. The book tells us that monolingual English education and bilingual education are the main tools for the federal government's assimilation policy. To those who advocate assimilation, improving the situation of Native Americans and the relationship between the two civilizations lies in Native Americans adopting American civilization, with learning English as a prerequisite. The characteristics of monolingual English education are the forced adoption of English and the abandonment of one's mother tongue. "Eliminate their barbaric language and replace it with English." The book presents substantial evidence of the changes in Native American attitudes under monolingual English education. Those Native Americans who accepted English and American civilization found themselves in a dilemma torn between the two civilizations. Due to language replacement, Native American culture is accelerating its extinction. The cases collected in the book are of great historical value. They teach us how difficult it is for civilizations to integrate and that it is not achieved overnight. In the future multicultural era, we should approach the interaction and integration of civilizations with both positivity and caution. Any simplistic or self-assured approach is harmful. This book also conveys a significant message about Native American civilization: Native American languages are rapidly declining. Before Europeans arrived in North America, there were about 300-500 Native American languages. By the second half of the 20th century, only half of them survived, and they are still declining rapidly. Behind the decline of language lies the more serious consequence of this ancient human civilization heading toward extinction. As a result, progressive humanity and Native Americans themselves have been engaged in a movement to save Native American languages since the 1960s, especially since the passage of the Native American Languages Act by Congress in 1990. The Native American Languages Act is the most progressive legislation by the federal government regarding Native Americans since the two civilizations came into contact. It marks a shift in the federal government's Native American language policy, from one of eliminating Native American languages to one of preserving them, providing a glimmer of hope for this ancient language to survive. Despite this, the movement to save Native American languages still faces a heavy burden and uncertain prospects. The author has every reason to express concern, placing great hope in the efforts of Native American tribes and communities themselves.