Alaska’s governor signed a bill on Thursday to officially recognize the state’s 20 indigenous languages in a symbolic move that gives a nod to tribal efforts to save Native American tongues at risk of dying out.
The move would make Alaska only the second U.S. state, after Hawaii, to officially recognize indigenous languages, although English would remain the official language and the state would not be required to conduct business in any other tongue.
“Alaska native young adults and students throughout the State have demonstrated remarkable success in revitalizing Alaska Native languages,” Republican Governor Sean Parnell said in a statement. “This bill reinforces that effort and recognizes the vibrant, existing Alaska Native languages of the state of Alaska.”
Parnell signed the bill in Anchorage to help kick off the Alaska Federation of Natives conference, the state’s largest annual gathering of indigenous people. See Full Story at Reuters.com
Image credit Alaska Dispatch News
