A Guide to Issues in Indian Language Retention.

This guide is concerned with possible solutions to the dilemma faced by American Indians, who want to maintain their ancestral language and customs on the one hand but integrate themselves into the mainstream of the economy on the other. The tenacity of Indian languages and the importance they have for their speakers are demonstrated by the endurance of the languages under enormous pressures to assimilate. Although the languages have survived, they are by no means healthy, and many face extinction. The approaches, resources, ideas, and goals discussed are based in part on the experiences of Indian groups and in part on the theoretical insights of linguists, education specialists, and other social scientists. The following chapters are included: (1) "Indian Languages and the Scope of Language Retention Programs," (2) "Federal Involvement with Tribes and Indian Self-Determination," (3) "Community Involvement," (4) "Needs Assessment," (5) "Instructional Methods," (6) "Orthographies and Materials Development," (7) "Staff Training," and (8) "Use of Professional Consultants." (JB)