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The Wukchumni language, along with its tribe are slowly dying out.
A. What is being done to prevent it from dying, and who is doing it?
B. What are other examples of this same thing happening and someone being able to revive it?
C. Is this an example of a local, folk, or popular culture; is it material or non-material?

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The last fluent speaker of this language has created a dictionary in order for the language to live on after her.

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Throughout the United States, many Native American languages are struggling to survive. According to Unesco, more than 130 of these languages are currently at risk, with 74 languages considered "critically endangered." These languages preserve priceless cultural heritage, and some hold unexpected value - nuances in these languages convey unparalleled knowledge of the natural world. Many of these at-risk languages are found in my home state of California. Now for some, only a few fluent speakers remain.

This Op-Doc tells the story of Marie Wilcox, the last fluent speaker of the Wukchumni language, and the dictionary she has created. I met her through the Advocates for Indigenous California Language Survival, an organization that encourages the revival of languages like Wukchumni. Through training and mentorship, it has supported Ms. Wilcox's work for several years. Ms. Wilcox's tribe, the Wukchumni, is not recognized by the federal government. It is part of the broader Yokuts tribal group native to Central California. Before European contact, as many as 50,000 Yokuts lived in the region, but those numbers have steadily diminished. Today, it is estimated that fewer than 200 Wukchumni remain.

Like most Native Americans, the Wukchumni did not write their language until recently. Although several linguists documented the grammar of the Wukchumni language in the 20th century, Ms. Wilcox's dictionary is the longest work of its kind. Ms. Wilcox has also recorded an oral version of the dictionary, including traditional Wukchumni stories like the "How We Got Our Hands" parable featured in the film. The pronunciation of the language, including intricate accents, will be preserved, which will assist future learners of the language.

For Ms. Wilcox, the Wukchumni language has become her life. She spent more than seven years working on the dictionary and she continues to refine and update the text. Through her hard work and dedication, she has created a document that will support the revitalization of the Wukchumni language for decades to come. And Ms. Wilcox isn't slowing down. Along with her daughter Jennifer Malone she travels to conferences throughout California and meets other tribes who also struggle with language loss.

Although Wukchumni is now being taught to tribe members at a local career center, the language still struggles to gain traction and move beyond a rudimentary level. Few seem able to dedicate the time needed to learn Wukchumni and become fluent speakers. Without additional resources and interest, I fear the language, in any meaningful form, may soon exist only in Ms. Wilcox's dictionary.

Op-Docs is a forum for short, opinionated documentaries, produced with creative latitude by independent filmmakers and artists. Learn more about Op-Docs and how to submit to the series.

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Throughout the United States, many Native American languages are struggling to survive. According to Unesco, more than 130 of these languages are currently at risk, with 74 languages considered "critically endangered." These languages preserve priceless cultural heritage, and some hold unexpected value - nuances in these languages convey unparalleled knowledge of the natural world.

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The Yokuts had somewhere around 50,000 people at one point, however there are only about 200 Wukchumni now.

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In this touching documentary, filmmaker Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee tells the story of Marie Wilcox, the last fluent speaker of the Wukchumni language, and the dictionary she has created.

Vaughan-Lee writes:

I met her through the Advocates for Indigenous California Language Survival, an organization that encourages the revival of languages like Wukchumni. Through training and mentorship, it has supported Ms. Wilcox's work for several years. Ms. Wilcox's tribe, the Wukchumni, is not recognized by the federal government. It is part of the broader Yokuts tribal group native to Central California. Before European contact, as many as 50,000 Yokuts lived in the region, but those numbers have steadily diminished. Today, it is estimated that fewer than 200 Wukchumni remain.

Marie Wilcox is an amazing woman! With all her hard work and dedication I hope many generations to come will be able to learn the language from her dictionary.

About Toyacoyah Brown

Toyacoyah Brown is an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation, currently living in Chicago. She received her B.A. in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma and an M.A. in Media Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. When she's not scouring the Internet for fun things to share with PowWows.com readers you can find her digging for vinyl in her local record store or curling up with a good book.
View all posts by Toyacoyah Brown

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The Last Fluent Speaker of the Wukchumni Language? - PowWows.com - Native American Pow Wows

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In this touching documentary, filmmaker Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee tells the story of Marie Wilcox, the last fluent speaker of the Wukchumni language, and the dictionary she has created. Vaughan-Lee writes: I met her through the Advocates for Indigenous California Language Survival,.....

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The Wukchumni tribe is a subgroup of the Yokuts who live in California.

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History of the Living Historic Community: The Beginnings

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No clues as yet have told us why. The Wuksachi group of these Monos settled along the Kaweah's North Fork, and on Eshom and Lime Kiln Creeks. The Patwisha, or Balwisha, settled above the Wukchumni Yokuts with their principal villages at Slick Rock below Three Rivers and at Hospital Rock near Ash Mountain.

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This short documentary tells the story of Marie Wilcox, the last fluent speaker of the Wukchumni language and the dictionary she created in an effort to keep her language alive. Want to learn more? Check out the accompanying lesson plan to this film: https://www.globalonenessproject.org/resources/lesson-plans/recording-dying-language