Rancher may be last fluent speaker of Mandan

Tuesday, August 7, 2007  

A North Dakota rancher who may be the last fluent speaker of Mandan is helping preserve his language.

Edwin Benson, 75, learned Mandan from his grandfather, who forbid the use of English at home. He teaches Mandan on the Fort Berthold Reservation and he has been working with a linguist to keep the language alive.

The goal of the project is to produce teaching materials.

Get the Story:
Rancher helps to preserve native language (AP 8/7)

$rl Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation - http://www.mhanation.com
Indigenous Language Institute - http://www.indigenous-language.org

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