The 25 Native language spoken in Oklahoma are slowly disappearing due to the lack of new fluent speakers.

According to the Intertribal Wordpath Society, 10 of the languages have less than 10 fluent speakers left and the remaining 15 have less than 100 fluent speakers. Eight languages have no fluent speakers left.

Several tribes have made efforts to increase the use of their languages. But Alice Anderton, a linguist who runs the society, says the programs aren't producing fluent speakers.

The Cherokee Nation has 9,000 fluent speakers, the most of any Oklahoma tribe.

Get the Story:
Last words: American Indian languages are losing speakers fast (The Oklahoman 11/8)
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Relevant Links:
Intertribal Wordpath Society - http://www.angelfire.com/ok4/wordpath

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