Assignment Overview
Much debate has centered on whether indigenous languages in America, such as Lakota, should be “woken up” and taught to young children in school. The argument focuses on if teaching a language that is only spoken by very few individuals will help or hinder young children who will one day be adults and need to become part of a broaden American society. HINT: Be sure to check out this debate within the Lakota community as documented in the film.
PROMPT: Should the Lakota save their language and teach it to the next generation? What is gained from doing so?
Your mini essay must include examples from Rising Voices and,
it must consider how anthropologists view the connection between language and identity (Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis).
Your essay response should include:
an argument (thesis)
evidence from the reading and lecture
an analysis of your evidence
an essay structure, complete with an introduction, body paragraph and a conclusion
Your argument you should include:
Evidence from the visual ethnography Rising Voices
Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis (the connection between language and culture)
Likewise, your an argument and must be supported by specific evidence from the reading and lecture
Format for your Answer:
1-2 page essay/500-800 words (double-spaced, 12-pt font) Your answer can be longer than this but needs to be at a minimum 1 page.
Resources: