Date of Award
2017
Document Type
Thesis
Department
Spanish
First Reader
Dr. Margarita Pintado
Second Reader
Dr. Kevin C. Motl
Third Reader
Dr. Barbara Pemberton
Abstract
The story of the Quapaw, or Downstream People, and their language is an integral part of both the American Indian experience and the larger, universal tapestry of multilingualism. Despite historical setbacks and contemporary challenges, preserving the virtually extinct Quapaw language adds to the diverse cultural narrative of the Americas and shares a nation’s unique story with the rest of humanity. Consulting linguists, historical records, tribal members, and experts on indigenous studies, this project aims to answer questions concerning the state of the Quapaw tongue: how it arrived at virtual extinction, what is being done to preserve it, and the challenges associated with trying to maintain a dying language. Additionally, this project demonstrates the value of the Quapaw language, as the survival of the Downstream People serves as a powerful reminder of the North American heritage and the culturally unifying forces at the heart of the indigenous identity.
Recommended Citation
DeSoto, Robert, "Sustaining O-gah-pah: An Analysis of Quapaw Language Loss and Preservation" (2017). Honors Theses. 255.
https://scholarlycommons.obu.edu/honors_theses/255
Included in
Indigenous Education Commons, Indigenous Studies Commons, Language and Literacy Education Commons, Linguistic Anthropology Commons