I am a graduate student in the TESOL program at California State
University, Los Angeles. I am currently writing my thesis, which will be a
case study of language maintenance of a Native American family. My intention
is, through interviews, to write an in-depth document that uncovers all the
factors that have allowed an indigenous language to be passed on from one
generation to the next, despite the pressures that exist from being surrounded
by an English-speaking majority culture. As I put it in my proposal, "I hope
to obtain information concerning the history of language use in the family,
beliefs about the language and its value, daily language use patterns, etc.".
With this thesis, I hope to provide a detailed and in-depth analysis of
one particular instance of successful language maintenance. For this to be a
valid document, I feel that I would need to interview a family that is
represented by three different generations, interviewing a member(s) from
each generation.
Since I am in the Los Angeles area, I am hoping to work with a family
from the southwest (CA,AZ,NM,CO,UT,NV). This would be ideal, but if
necessary I will travel wherever I need to conduct my research. A modest
stipend will be provided for each interviewee per interview. If anyone out
there could put me in contact with such a family willing to be participants
for such research, advice on where to send or look for other queries for
participants, or provide guidance as to how and where to look for
participants, I would be extremely grateful.
Thanks for your time and any assisstance regarding this matter. It is
greatly appreciated.
Ken Ornburn
kornbur@calstatela.edu