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Becoming "Fully" Hopi: The Role of Hopi Language in the Contemporary Lives Of Hopi Youth--A Hopi Case Study of Language Shift and Vitality

There exists a fundamental difference in how today's Hopi youth are growing up from that of their parents and grandparents--Hopi youth are not acquiring the Hopi language. This sociolinguistic situation raises many questions about the vitality and continuity of the Hopi language.Two key findings emerged from the study of three Hopi young adults. First, the study showed that cultural experiences are key to developing a personal and cultural identity as Hopi, but a linguistic competence in Hopi, especially in ceremonial contexts, is fundamental to acquiring a complete sense of being Hopi. Secondly, the effect of modern circumstances apparent in behavior and attitude among Hopi is evidence of another shift--a move away from a collective maintenance of language as cultural practice to the maintenance of language and cultural practice as a personal choice of use.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/194190
Date January 2008
CreatorsNicholas, Sheilah Ernestine
ContributorsLomawaima, Tsianina, McCarty, Teresa L., Lomawaima, Tsianina, McCarty, Teresa L., Sekaquaptewa, Emory, Goodman, Yetta, Fox, Mary Jo Tippeconnic
PublisherThe University of Arizona.
Source SetsUniversity of Arizona
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext, Electronic Dissertation
RightsCopyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.

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