Akimel O’odham Is Disappearing: What Does It Take To Save A Language?

Published: Friday, May 18, 2018 - 1:40pm
Audio icon Download mp3 (7.65 MB)

Akimel O’odham is the ancient language spoken by several of the tribes here in Arizona. But like so many other Native American languages, it’s disappearing.

But a group of elders of Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community are working to reverse that tide. They meet once a month to attempt to modernize the language and keep it relevant today.

Alden Woods wrote about this for the Arizona Republic recently, and The Show down with him to talk more about what it means to save a culture’s language.

The Show