Annotating the First Page of the First Navajo-English Dictionary
August 30, 2018 9:22 AM Subscribe
“It is one thing to play dress-up, to imitate pronunciations and understanding; it is another thing to think or dream or live in a language not your own.” [content warning: domestic violence, child abuse]
The first, incomplete Navajo-English Dictionary was compiled, in 1958, by Leon Wall, an official in the U.S. government’s Bureau of Indian Affairs. Wall, who was in charge of a literacy program on the Navajo reservation, worked on the dictionary with William Morgan, a Navajo translator.
The first, incomplete Navajo-English Dictionary was compiled, in 1958, by Leon Wall, an official in the U.S. government’s Bureau of Indian Affairs. Wall, who was in charge of a literacy program on the Navajo reservation, worked on the dictionary with William Morgan, a Navajo translator.
That was so, so good. Also heartbreaking.
posted by Joe in Australia at 12:15 PM on August 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Joe in Australia at 12:15 PM on August 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
oh yeah i should probably ask a mod to add a DV/CSA content warning. sorry about that fairly crappy oversight.
posted by poffin boffin at 3:01 PM on August 30, 2018
posted by poffin boffin at 3:01 PM on August 30, 2018
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Thank you, though.
posted by notsnot at 11:20 AM on August 30, 2018 [4 favorites]