Indigenous Language Revitalization Courses

Advanced Methods for Indigenous Language Documentation

This course is an examination of project planning and development appropriate for field activities associated with language preservation and revitalization. Topics include interview and language-data recording methods, language documentation and database development, building an archive, approaches to sharing information, media production, publishing and media production models. Strategies for community involvement, project planning, protocols and ethical intellectual property issues are implemented through projects.

Formerly part of LING 183. Credit will only be given for one of LING 183B or LING 183.

Documentation and Recording for Indigenous Language Reclamation

This course is an examination of planning strategies, protocols and methods of data collection, analysis and organization appropriate for field activities associated with language preservation and revitalization. Focus on: elicitation methodologies; audio recording; digital file management; strategies for community involvement, protocols, ethical and intellectual property issues.

Formerly part of LING 183. Credit will only be granted for one of LING 183A or LING 183.

Dynamics of Indigenous Language Shift

This course introduces the human dynamics—and political and social factors—associated with Indigenous language shift and language loss, including the profound psychological, intellectual and spiritual effects on individuals, families, communities and cultures. Language revitalization is explored as a source of healing and empowerment.

Formerly part of LING 180. Credit will be granted for only one of LING 180A or LING 180.

Introductory Linguistics for Language Revitalization

This course introduces topics in the study of language and linguistics, providing a foundation for understanding language revitalization. Topics include:

• the nature of sound systems and how they relate to orthographies, word structures and dictionaries
• sentence structures and understanding texts, meaning and vocabulary
• linguistic aspects of language acquisition and historical change

This course develops your understanding of the languages targeted for revitalization and provides an introduction to linguistic concepts and reference materials.

Credit will only be granted for one of LING 181, 100, 100A, 360 or 362.

Issues, Principles and Best Practices in Language Revitalization

This course introduces contemporary issues, principles and practice models in the revival, maintenance and revitalization of Indigenous languages in Canada and around the world. Participants identify community assets supporting individual, family and community language revitalization.

Formerly part of LING 180. Credit will only be granted for one of LING 180B or LING 180.

Language Learning, Language Revitalization and Social Action

In this course, you’ll examine formal and informal approaches to language teaching and learning in Indigenous community settings. Topics include:

• forms of language acquisition
• Indigenous teaching and learning strategies
• how strategies are related to community needs and goals
• the role of community and community members in teaching and learning

The emphasis is on strategies for mobilizing social and political forces for language maintenance and revival.

Indigenous Language I

Teaching and learning of an Indigenous language at the first-year level.

May be taken more than once for credit with permission of the academic advisor of the Certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization.

Topic: Introduction to SENĆOŦEN

Learn about the relationship between the SENĆOŦEN and Lekwungen-speaking peoples to their local territories. You will learn basic SENĆOŦEN words, conversation, greetings, introductions, prayers, songs and vocabulary as it relates to land and water, and SENĆOŦEN orthography. You will build oral and aural SENĆOŦEN skills through experiential and land-based learning.

This course is also being offered as a credit option through the Department of Indigenous Education as IED 159, CRN 13940. 

Indigenous Language II

Teaching and learning of an Indigenous language at the second-year level.

May be taken more than once for credit with permission of the academic advisor of the Certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization.

Prerequisites: one of LING 158 or LING 159, or permission of the Indigenous Language Revitalization program.

Indigenous Language III

Teaching and learning of an Indigenous language at the third-year level.

May be taken more than once for credit with permission of the academic advisor of the Certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization.

Prerequisites: one of LING 258 or LING 259, or permission of the Indigenous Language Revitalization program.

Indigenous Language IV

Teaching and learning of an Indigenous language at the fourth-year level.

May be taken more than once for credit with permission of the academic advisor of the Certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization.

Prerequisites: one of LING 358 or LING 359, or permission of the Indigenous Language Revitalization program.

Indigenous Language Materials Development

This course examines the preparation and evaluation of curriculum and classroom materials for teaching Indigenous languages. We’ll discuss:

• theory and application of curriculum development to immersion/language programs
• designs, organizational patterns, materials and media
• change strategies and evaluation.

Micro-teaching will provide practice in the teaching methods under study.

Indigenous Language Mentorship I

A 100-hour mentorship with a fluent speaker (or speakers) to build oral fluency in an Indigenous language at the introductory level.

May be taken more than once for credit with permission of the academic advisor of the Certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization.

Indigenous Language Mentorship II

A 100-hour mentorship with a fluent speaker or speakers to build oral fluency in an Indigenous language at the second-year level.

May be taken more than once for credit with permission of the academic advisor of the Certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization.

Prerequisites: one of LING 158 or LING 159, or permission of the Indigenous Language Revitalization program.

Indigenous Language Mentorship III

A 100-hour mentorship with a fluent speaker or speakers to build oral fluency in an Indigenous language at the third-year level.

May be taken more than once for credit with permission of the academic advisor of the Certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization.

Prerequisites: one of LING 258 or LING 259, or permission of the Indigenous Language Revitalization program.

Indigenous Language Mentorship IV

A 100-hour mentorship with a fluent speaker or speakers to build oral fluency in an Indigenous language at the fourth-year level.

May be taken more than once for credit with permission of the academic advisor of the Certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization.

Prerequisites: one of LING 358 or LING 359, or permission of the Indigenous Language Revitalization program.

Indigenous Language Revitalization Practicum

A 70- or 140-hour work-study under the mentorship of an Elder or fluent speaker to develop understanding of local language preservation and revitalization issues and strategies. The focus is on local language revitalization program planning and collaboration with local language workers.

Introduction to Indigenous Languages of British Columbia

In this course, you’ll examine the Indigenous languages of British Columbia, focusing on unique features. Also considered are techniques for language study from written materials and with Elders, and the revitalization of local languages.

Language and Land

Introduces and explores the links between Indigenous languages and land.

This is a class that considers the WSÁNEĆ particular relationships to the place they come from. While the primary focus of the lectures will be WSÁNEĆ territory, place names and related stories, other territories and their people's views, will inevitably be discussed. The topics will range from epistemologies, seasonal cycles, ethnobotany, politics and laws relevant to past, current and future visions of WSÁNEĆ homelands. Some classes will be taught during field trips in WSÁNEĆ territory. Whether you do or do not identify as a WSÁNEĆ person, come ready to examine and discuss your point of view concerning land and the language you use to speak it. 

"The Land is the culture, without it we cannot be free as a people." – Philip Paul, WSÁNEĆ

Language in Indigenous Culture

An intensive examination of the ways in which language is embedded in the cultural heritage and social context of a selected community, with a focus on:

• oral history including legends, song and dance
• cultural practices, methods and protocols
• the impacts and implications of social change on language

Special Topics in Language Revitalization

An intensive study of some aspect of language preservation and/or revitalization.

May be taken more than once for credit in the Certificate in Indigenous Language Revitalization program.

Topic: Experiencing the Land Through Language

This course will challenge students to learn place-names and the stories associated with these places. By the end of the course, students will appreciate how Tłı̨chǫ travel stories use place-names as indicators of landscape, while other place-names reflect cosmological and historical occurrences on the land. Students will be evaluated on their willingness to collaborate with other students while writing stories in Tłı̨chǫ yatı. Students will add their own experience as they gain knowledge and understanding of any given place. Place-names, associated stories along with student experiences will be selected from historical and cosmological happenings that reflect: i) When the World was New; ii) When Beings Live in harmony; iii) When conflict between people brought unrest; and iv) When Treaty and Land claims were negotiated.