Becoming “Fully” Hopi: the Role of the Hopi Language in the Contemporary Lives of Hopi Youth
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Becoming "Fully" Hopi: The Role of Hopi Language in the Contemporary Lives Of Hopi Youth-- A Hopi Case Study of Language Shift and Vitality Item Type text; Electronic Dissertation Authors Nicholas, Sheilah Ernestine Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 11/10/2021 04:07:30 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/194190 BECOMING “FULLY” HOPI: THE ROLE OF THE HOPI LANGUAGE IN THE CONTEMPORARY LIVES OF HOPI YOUTH – A HOPI CASE STUDY OF LANGUAGE SHIFT AND VITALITY by Sheilah E. Nicholas ______________________ Copyright© Sheilah E. Nicholas 2008 A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the GRADUATE INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAM IN AMERICAN INDIAN STUDIES In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 2 0 0 8 2 THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA GRADUATE COLLEGE As members of the Dissertation Committee, we certify that we have read the dissertation prepared by Sheilah E. Nicholas entitled Becoming “Fully” Hopi: The Role of the Hopi Language in the Contemporary Lives of Hopi Youth—A Case Study of Hopi Language Shift and Vitality and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Dr. Tsianina Lomawaima Date: May 8, 2007 Dr. Teresa McCarty _________________________________________ Date: May 8, 2007 Emory Sekaquaptewa Date: May 8, 2007 Dr. Yetta Goodman Date: May 8, 2007 Dr. Mary Jo Tippeconnic Fox Date: May 8, 2007 Final approval and acceptance of this dissertation is contingent upon the candidate’s submission of the final copies of the dissertation to the Graduate College. I hereby certify that I have read this dissertation prepared under my direction and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement. _Dr. Tsianina Lomawaima _________________________ Date: May 8, 2007 Dissertation Director: _Dr. Teresa McCarty ______________________________ Date: May 8, 2007 Dissertation Director: 3 STATEMENT BY AUTHOR This dissertation has been submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for an advanced degree at the University of Arizona and is deposited in the University Library to be made available to borrowers under rules of the Library. Brief quotations from this dissertation are allowable without special permission, provided that accurate acknowledgment of source is made. Requests for permission for extended quotation from or reproduction of this manuscript in whole or in part may be granted by the copyright holder. SIGNED: _Sheilah E. Nicholas ___ 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS “Hak so’on naala hiita ang mongvasiwmangwu.” “No one accomplishes something worthwhile, or of benefit alone.” There are many who have assisted me in bringing this dissertation to completion. Foremost, I acknowledge the Hopi youth and their families who are at the heart of the dissertation. Their cooperation and willingness to share their personal cultural and linguistic life histories lay the foundation for the work and scholarship I will pursue. Special acknowledgement goes to the late Emory Sekaquaptewa and Dr. Teresa McCarty. As both my mentor and clan uncle, Emory cultivated within me the same passion for and commitment to the Hopi way of life that he held and demonstrated through his efforts to maintain, revitalize as well as preserve the importance and integrity of the Hopi language. I will continue his legacy to best of my ability. Terri McCarty has served as chair for my master’s thesis and doctoral dissertation and has essentially nurtured my long and transforming journey through academia with conviction and unwavering patience. I benefitted greatly from Emory’s and Terri’s guidance grounded in their areas of expertise, Emory’s extensive knowledge of Hopi culture and Terri’s understanding of and experience with ethnographic research methods. I am indebted to both. I also acknowledge the support and assistance of the other members of my doctoral committee: Dr. Tsianina Lomawaima, Dr. Yetta Goodman, and Dr. Mary Jo Tippeconnic Fox in reviewing the drafts of the dissertation manuscript. Their suggestions for revisions, offered from their respective fields of study, contributed significantly to the final manuscript. I also extend sincere thanks to Dr. Dorothy Washburn, whose interest in the study of the Hopi language allowed her to recognize and point out the influence of Hopi, my first language, on my writing style. This understanding of my writing style has proved invaluable to me. My friends, many of whom are also my colleagues, figure tremendously in the completion of the dissertation. Their constant words of encouragement and abiding belief in my potential to make a contribution to my community of Hopi and other Indigenous communities will continue to inspire my work. Finally, my heartfelt thanks to my husband, Joseph, our children, Sarah, Seth, and Zoe, and my mother, Laura, whose support of my journey was demonstrated in so many ways. Most of all, they allowed me the time and space to pursue my destiny. 5 DEDICATION For the Hopi people who have maintained a firm belief in and adherence to the Hopi way of life in order that succeeding generations of Hopi will remain a distinct people. 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page LIST OF TABLES . 15 LIST OF FIGURES . 16 ABSTRACT. 17 CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION. BECOMING “FULLY” HOPI: THE ROLE OF THE HOPI LANGUAGE IN THE LIVES OF CONTEMPORARY HOPI YOUTH—A HOPI CASE STUDY OF LANGUAGE SHIFT AND VITALITY. 19 The Purpose of the Research . 21 Research Questions . 22 Significance of the Study . 23 The Contemporary Hopi . .26 Hopisinom , The Hopi People . 27 Hopitsàatsayom , Hopi Youth . 29 Hopilavayi, The Hopi Language . 31 “Itàalavayi Sulawiwma.” “Our Language is Disappearing.” . 32 Community Perceptions . 32 Hopi Ways of Knowing as Orienting Framework . 36 Emergence: The Hopi Theory of Life . .38 “Landmarks”: Hopi Terms and Concepts . 42 Literature Highlights . 43 Language Loss; Language Shift . 43 Creating a “Minority” Population . 45 Ogbu’s Culture Model . 46 Hall’s “Transcending” Culture . 48 Language Socialization . 50 Indigenous Language Revitalization; Language Planning . 51 Language revitalization . 51 Positive language shift . 53 Language planning . 55 Organization of the Study . 57 CHAPTER 2 METHODOLOGY . 62 Multiple, Intergenerational Case Study Approach . 62 Research Methods . 63 Focused, In-Depth, Life History Interviews . 64 Participant Observations . 65 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS – Continued Page Selecting the Data Sources . 67 Permission to Conduct Research . 68 Interviews . 69 Identifying Participants . 69 Participant Consent . 72 Developing Interview Questions . 75 Respecting Interview Structure . 83 Technical Problems and Unanticipated Surprises . 84 Transcribing the Interview Tapes . 86 Data Analysis . 87 Studying and Reducing the Interview Text . 87 Managing the Data . 88 Analyzing and Interpreting the Interview Material . 89 Summary . 91 CHAPTER 3 PORTRAITS: CONTEMPORARY HOPI YOUTH . 93 Dorian . 93 Life History . .. 94 Tutuqayto, Going to School . 95 Miss Indian Arizona . 97 Aspirations . 100 The Hopi Language . .102 Jared . 103 Life History . .. 103 Tutuqayto, Going to School . 106 Pahanqatsi, The Mainstream World . 108 Aspirations . 110 The Hopi Language . 112 Justin . 112 Life History . .. 113 Tutuqayto, Going to School . 114 Aspirations . 115 The Hopi Language . 116 Summary . .. 116 CHAPTER 4 HOPI.