Learning the Evenki Language and Culture Online: A Step Toward Preservation
Online Learners in Evenkiya can study their native language digitally
In the vast expanse of Siberia, the unique language and culture of the Evenks, a native people, face challenges of survival. To help preserve their ancient tongue, a one-of-a-kind online course has been developed. Thanks to the support of the company "Vostokneftegas," this endeavor aims to keep the dwindling Evenki language alive.
The curriculum is primarily designed for teenagers and kids residing in remote settlements and schools. The lessons will commence on September 1st and run through the following academic year. For students from grades 4 to 11, the program comprises 18 modules, each focusing on the Evenki language, history, culture, and art. The course creators, staff from the Humanities Institute and the Institute of the North and Arctic of SFU, will deliver video lectures alongside native speakers.
Pupils can learn Evenki independently, but weekly assessments with teachers are mandatory to ensure learning progress. If you can't wait for the official start, the educational materials are already available. In fact, they recently underwent a successful trial at the Baikitskoye Middle School.
The development of this language and culture course received funding from the "East Siberian Oil and Gas Company," a subsidiary of Russia's oil behemoth, Rosneft, which is spearheading the exploration of the Yurubcheno-Tohomskoe oil field in the region.
Such ventures form a crucial part of the social policy of the company, engaging in numerous charitable, educational, and research projects across the regions where they operate.
Historically, the middle generation of Evenks has shown poor proficiency in their native language, failing to adequately pass their linguistic traditions to their children. Grants from oil companies can help rectify this situation, especially since there are still many native Evenki speakers around the world.
Interestingly, the East Siberian Oil and Gas Company continues to support cultural-linguistic projects, such as the creation and publication of a handbook for learning a rare language for schoolchildren of a small indigenous people, the Ket, (with approximately 1,000 speakers in Russia, most of whom reside in the Krasnoyarsk Territory) in 2022. An electronic version of the Evenki-Russian dictionary, "Evedy-luchady turereuk," was also released.
Overall, the grant program of "Vostokneftegas" has been active since 2014, encompassing landmark projects such as the reconstruction of the Ethnopedagogical Center in Tur, publishing the first Red Book of the Evenks, reviving the local Evenki breed of dog, and many more. Thanks to these efforts, the unique national culture, traditional lifestyle, and distinctiveness of the Evenki people are being maintained.
Image: Vostokneftegas
A Glimpse into Developing an Online Evenki Course:
To create a compelling online Evenki course, several key aspects must be considered:- Language Instruction: Comprehensive lessons on vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.- Cultural Education: In-depth exploration of Evenki traditions, folklore, and customs.- Multimedia Resources: The incorporation of audio and video materials to support language learning.- Community Engagement: Providing a platform for learners to interact with native speakers and each other.
The Institute for Bible Translation has been involved in linguistic projects across Siberia, including the Evenki language, serving as a potential foundation for educational initiatives.
The online course for learning Evenki would yield several positive impacts on language preservation:- Accessibility: Making learning resources accessible to those without local opportunities.- Cultural Awareness: Promoting understanding and appreciation of Evenki culture beyond linguistic competence.- Community Building: Encouraging connections among learners and native speakers, fostering further language documentation and preservation efforts.- Educational Innovation: Employing modern technology to engage new generations in language learning, potentially reinvigorating interest in minority languages.
By collaborating with linguistic experts, cultural specialists, and technologists, an engaging and culturally sensitive course can be developed. Key steps include:1. Collaborating with Stakeholders: Working with Evenki communities, linguists, and educators to devise accurate and culturally relevant content.2. Utilizing Interactive Technology: Incorporating interactive tools, videos, and live sessions to enrich the learning experience.3. Promoting Community Interaction: Facilitating online forums or social media groups for learners to share questions and experiences.4. Documenting Language Resources: Including audio recordings, texts, and visual aids to provide extensive language resources.
In a Nutshell:
While a specific online Evenki course may not exist, developing one could significantly contribute to the preservation of this unique language and culture. By collaborating with the Evenki community, employing modern educational technologies, and creating culturally sensitive content, such a course could inspire a renewed interest in language preservation across Siberia.
- The unique Evenki language faces challenges of survival in Siberia, prompting the development of an online course for preservation.
- The curriculum targets teenagers and kids in remote settlements and schools, with lessons starting from September 1st.
- The program, led by experts from the Humanities Institute and the Institute of the North and Arctic of SFU, consists of 18 modules for grades 4 to 11.
- Each module focuses on Evenki language, history, culture, and art, with native speakers providing additional lessons.
- Weekly assessments with teachers are mandatory to monitor student progress, and educational materials are available now.
- The project received funding from the East Siberian Oil and Gas Company, a subsidiary of Rosneft, which is also involved in the exploration of Yurubcheno-Tohomskoe oil field.
- Grants from oil companies can help reverse the trend of poor Evenki language proficiency among the middle generation.
- The East Siberian Oil and Gas Company also supports other cultural-linguistic projects, such as the Ket handbook and Evenki-Russian dictionary in 2022.
- The grant program of "Vostokneftegas" has been active since 2014, funding multiple landmark projects for Evenki culture preservation.
- To create a compelling online Evenki course, aspects like language instruction, cultural education, multimedia resources, and community engagement must be considered.
- Collaborating with linguistic experts, cultural specialists, and technologists can help develop an engaging and culturally sensitive course.
- Steps such as collaborating with stakeholders, utilizing interactive technology, promoting community interaction, and documenting language resources are crucial for creating this course.
