In May 2012, the Linguistics Department of Fresno State University received a $1 million grant to compile a Chuckchansi dictionary and grammar texts,[2] and to "provide support for scholarships, programs, and efforts to assemble native texts and create a curriculum for teaching the language so it can be brought back into social and ritual use."[3] The five-year grant was provided by the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians from funds generated by the Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, and is expected to speed existing volunteer efforts by CSU Fresno faculty to document and teach the language.[4][5] However, the grant has also been criticized in connection with recent disenrollments of Chuckchansi tribal members.[6][7][8][9]
Recordings of the language were made by Sydney Lamb between 1953 and 1957.[10] Efforts at documentation of Chukchansi have also been attempted using the Phraselator, a handheld recording device developed for military purposes. "When a person speaks into the device in English, it responds with the Chukchansi translation." However, as of 2007, these devices were too expensive to be widely distributed.[11][12]
Chukchansi classes have been taught at the elementary school in Coarsegold, CA since 2008.[13] As of 2012, Chukchansi classes are available for children and adults.[14] The Native American Coffee Company's first coffee shop, which opened in Coarsegold in 2012, plans to translate the names of its coffee drinks into Chukchansi.
Preservation of the language has evoked strong feelings. Tribal Chairman Reggie Lewis emphasized the need to "preserve, protect, and revitalize our cultural identity and traditions."[15][16] One tribal member, who put it more directly, said, "When [the United States] began the genocide of Native American communities, the reason they allowed us to sign our treaties was because we had a language ... Generations of our elders went through drought and atrocities; the core of our language is our identity," adding that she was encouraged by the fact that "non-native speakers in the community come to learn the language."[4]
Phonology
The following tables are based on Collord's 1968 grammar.[17]
‘The story of North Wind and the Sun. Once a long time ago, the North Wind and the Sun argued with each other. The two of them wanted to know who was very strong. Then, a traveler, wrapping himself up in a heavy coat, passed by the two of them. The North Wind and the Sun said that the very strong one could make the traveler take off his coat. Then the North Wind blew very hard. When the North Wind blew, the traveler wrapped himself tighter in his coat. Then the North Wind gave up blowing. Then the Sun shone bright. Then the traveler got very hot. So, he took off his coat. Then the North Wind said that the Sun was very strong.’
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Yokuts nation