Applied Anthropology

Introduction to Socio-Cultural Anthropology

Video Guide

“Preserving Endangered Languages: Barry Mosses at TEDxCCS”

Name: __Ophelia Xue___                        Date: _11/25/16_______

Directions:

• Go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHlBJGM-XyQ&feature=youtu.be
• Enjoy the clip and answer the questions below ☺
• Make sure to email me this video guide, with your responses, by November 25th at 11:59 PM EST.

1. According to the clip, what does it mean for a language to be endangered?

Unless something is done within the next short while, the language will be gone forever.

1. How did boarding schools impact the Spokane language?  Provide two examples.

1. United States government set up boarding schools. Boarding schools were designed to homogenize native American youth, and turn them into non-native Indians.
2. Many children were taken from home, against their wills to the boarding schools and were beaten for speaking their native language.

1. Even though some people survive through the school, they turn away from their native culture&language.

1. How is language related to economics?

People need to get jobs, so they have to use or learn English.

1. How are rituals, as forms of expressive culture, related to language?

Barry Mosses gave an example of prayer hymns in Indian. These are hymns were sung in Spokane language for those who deceased and for people who lose the family. He did not understand the language but still feel touched in heart. In Indian culture, everything is framed in the context of spirituality. A ritual is an expression of language.