Book

Sociolinguistic determinants of native language vitality: a comparative study of two Oklahoma Cherokee communities

Xerox University Microfilms • Ann Arbor, Michigan • Published In 1987 • Pages:

By: Guyette, Susan.

Abstract

The objective of this study is to determine the factors affecting native language vitality among the Cherokees of northeastern Oklahoma, the basis for which is a comparison of communicative networks in the Oklahoma Cherokee communities of Greasy Creek and Marble City. Greasy Creek is a rural, dispersed community of 500 mostly full-blood Cherokees located in the Ozark foothills; there is no formal town government, rather several Baptist churches provide the organizational focus of the community. Marble City is a centralized, flatland community of 600 residents; there is a formal town government, controlled by the half of the population that is non-Indian. Not too surprisingly, Guyette finds that native language vitality is greatest in Greasy Creek and that native language retention is declining in Marble City. Based on her examination of the communicative networks in these two communities Guyette defines several factors as significant in native language vitality. One factor is the degree of community isolation, which is to say that as contact with 'Anglo' culture diminishes, native language vitality increases. Equally as important according to Guyette is the continuity and homogeneity of community religious organization. She finds that the local churches and religious groups are a primary domain for native language interaction and that where there is continuity and homogeneity in religious organization, church participation is high. Interestingly, with respect to native language vitality it seems not to matter if the religion is traditional or non-traditional (Christian). Other factors that Guyette finds to be important in the maintenance of the native language are stability of the extended family and inter-generational interaction and positive attitudes towards cultural pluralism and bilingualism.

HRAF PubDate

2019

Region

North America

Sub Region

Eastern Woodlands

Document Type

Book

Evaluation

Creator Types

Ethnologist

Linguist

Document Rating

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Gerald Reid ; Richard Wagner ; 1988

Field Date

1974

Coverage Place

Greasy Creek and Marble City, Oklahoma, United States

Notes

Susan Marie Guyette

UM76-04583

Includes bibliographical references

Thesis (Ph.D.) - Southern Methodist University, Dallas, 1975

LCSH

Cherokee Indians