Track 31

Track 31

Anna: So, we need to get this field trip sorted out as soon as possible, don’t we’?

Suzanne: Yes. Let’s get started. James, have you worked out which two countries we should travel to?

James: Well, I thought we could go to the USA and Mexico because that’s where the populations of most native languages are concentrated. But then I found out that the three languages we’re most interested in are more widely spoken in Canada than Mexico so I think we should go there instead.

Suzanne: OK . . . Anna, weren’t you going to think about our research focus?

Anna: Yes, and I think I’ve found two areas that would work well. Firstly, use of the three languages, Na—Dene, Salishan, and Algic among the younger generation — people up to the age of twenty—five. I found out that although there are many older speakers of Algic, it’s used much less by the young. In fact young people under the age of twenty—five use both Na—Dene and Salishan more than Alqic.

James: That’s interesting. That means that native language use isn’t really being affected by the older generations any more.

Suzanne: So, what’s the other focus area then, Anna?

Anna: Well, it would be good to try to find out what affects changes in native language speaker populations.

James: You mean things like family life and the influence of popular culture or tourism?

Anna: Yes, areas like that, but not tourism or culture because they’re too general. I think we should look at whether family has an impact in terms of passing on native language use. And possibly the effects of government language policy too.

Suzanne: Government figures can be deceptive. but they’re still worth looking at. Maybe we should also focus on something like job creation and work statistics and the number of people who leave the USA to live in another country instead.

James: Mm, yes. I think emigration would be as useful as language policy.

Suzanne: OK, then. Let’s focus on those three as well as what happens in families.