A retired linguistics professor and the Kaw Nation of Oklahoma are working to preserve the Kaw, or Kanza, language.
The last three fluent speakers of the language died in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Before they passed away, former Kansas University professor Robert Rankin recorded words, phrases and other stories.
With a $40,000 fellowship from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Rankin is now compiling a dictionary and grammar manual. Justin McBride, the tribe's language director, also received a fellowship to develop teaching materials based on Rankin's work.
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Researchers try to preserve Indian languages
(The Lawrence Journal World 8/1)
Relevant Links:
Kaw Nation - http://www.kawnation.com
Linguist, tribe working to preserve Kaw language
Monday, August 1, 2005
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