Salish is the traditional language of the Seliš-Ql̓ispe people of western Montana and is extremely endangered. An NEH Documenting Endangered Languages Fellowship in 2020 allowed linguist anthropologist Rebecca Wood, in collaboration with tribal partners, to analyze stories in Salish and better understand cultural values embedded in the language. This work will help enhance the community’s current language teaching tools.
“Every language has a whole different worldview, a different way of thinking about things.”
–Rebecca Wood
Read More
Wood analyzed a number of previously-recorded stories that had been chosen by tribal partners who are hoping to create language teaching materials that focus both on language and on culture. Unlike traditional linguistic analysis, which often focuses strictly on grammar and word use, Wood’s analysis examines the moral and cultural teachings embedded in the language and highlights the narrative styles of speakers. “Most linguistic analysis doesn’t do enough to consider how people actually use and communicate in the language.” Wood said. “Every language has a whole different worldview, a different way of thinking about things.” Together, Wood and her partners are using her work to develop pedagogical materials that consider language and culture together as part of the same whole. NEH funding was critical in supporting the analysis of the language and in the creation of resources for language educators and learners.
Initially, Wood had planned to travel to Montana to make new story recordings for the project, but the COVID-19 pandemic got in the way. Thanks to the pivot to virtual formats, however, she was able to take part in a virtual Salish language immersion program. Her participation helped deepen her understanding of the import role language plays in the culture and to begin developing an online repository for the community.