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Language, in whatever form, is a very essential part of any culture. It embellishes each cultural identity that adds meaning to any tribe’s existence. Language is dynamic and evolutionary. Sadly though, there are some languages that do not exist for life. Just like any handmade crafts or works of art, a particular language can possibly die over time. As much as we want to preserve them, some eventually succumb to anonymity, not because it has become inessential, but because it has withered together with a civilization that has also dwindled in time. As soon as a language becomes extinct, the danger of losing an entire culture and history is also at stake. Now bouncing back to the previous five centuries before we got overwhelmed in learning multiple languages, both domestic and international, the Native American Indians had a language of their own. The misconception It has been a common misconception for the many that the Native Americans used to speak one unifying language across all tribes. The truth is that even before the Europeans introduced themselves to the natives, there were already an average of 300 languages spoken. Every tribe, no matter how many constituents constitute it, had its own set of beliefs, spiritual rituals, and symbols. For instance, even if the presence of Indian Headdress is something that would help us generalize all natives, each tribe holds a unique meaning for each. In other words, there may be underlying rules and traditions that are considered general for all, but there will always be something that would make each tribe special. The same goes for the Native American languages. Each of their language is exclusive and without equal. As a rule of the thumb, their language is their means of communication and understanding paired with particular gestures that promote better awareness among the residents of their tribe. The preservation of the American Native language There were many attempts to restore or at least preserve the natives’ language. As of today, culture enthusiasts and natives have managed to maintain as much as half of the number of languages that used to exist long before. Back then, people in their respective tribes were relocated from their traditional lands to reservations in the subduer’s attempt to assimilate the natives to the white people. Children were led to dormitories where they were left with no choice but to speak English. Eventually, these authentic languages died out over the course of time. These days, only a few natives are heard speaking their tribal language where mostly are old and elderly. Some of these languages include Algic, Muskogean, Athabaskan, Uto-Aztecan, Salishan, Eskimo-Aleut, Mayan, and many others. The preservation of a certain culture is not only limited to creating and recreating handmade products and accessories such as Indian headdresses. It can also be very well preserved by maintaining the Native American language that gave life to the people whom we consider as the earliest settlers of North America.
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Native American, Indian Headdress,
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