Our catch phrase is on its way.
Dear Fellow Earthlings,
What is the secret behind the revival of the Hebrew language? Until the 19th century, Hebrew was basically used only in religious rites. But it did have its own writing system -- making it possible to study! When the nation of Israel was re-created on May 14, 1948, Hebrew became the official language. None of the Jews who came pouring into Israel from all over the world spoke Hebrew! And when they did learn it, it was produced in Russian accents, German accents, Dutch accents, Polish accents, and so on. Largely through the efforts of one man – Eliezer Ben Yehuda -- rules were adopted for modern Hebrew: for pronunciation, the coining of new words and expressions, and the like. The Israeli people continued to make full use of the other languages they spoke, however. This multlingualism helped the nation of Israel to develop economic, cultural, and military ties with various other countries all over the world. The Israeli people nurtured Hebrew as not only the national language of Israel, but as its de facto language of everyday use! Turning now to the Seneca language: Are the Seneca people capable of or even interested in, doing what the Israelis have done? I think not. First of all, the two cultures are very different from one another. The Jewish people have been living in a basically non-Jewish world for over 2000 years with great success – and this is despite the terrible things that have been done to them. They have used their traditions and their hope to re-establish the motherland -- and to push the Israeli people to exert a level of influence totally out of proportion to their small population. On the other hand, the Seneca have seen their lands slowly but methodically confiscated by various agencies of the United States government, and have seen the territory they are permitted to call the Seneca Nation reduced from thousands of square kilometers to at most a couple of hundred square kilometers. I have had the privilege to speak with many Jews -- and one underlying theme (despite the great number of individual differences I have noted as I have spoken to them) is that they truly feel they are special, that they have the right to persevere and expand, to negotiate, and to retaliate. I have to date spoken very briefly with only three Seneca people – and therefore cannot possibly know what their world view is. But I do feel a certain need they have to keep their inner feelings hidden. As an outsider watching these two peoples, I must confess that I have confidence that the Jewish people – with their Hebrew language – will continue to prosper. As for the Seneca, the numbers tell the story. There are, perhaps, only 95 native speakers left – and the youngest of them are in their sixties. I, in my own faith, pray for the well-being of both the Hebrew speakers and the Seneca speakers. I know the Hebrew speakers are not in need of any help from me to preserve their language – and I am beginning to feel that the Seneca speakers do not want any help I might offer – and indeed may consider my overtures to help them preserve their language as some sort of interference. May the Seneca Elders think deeply about my offer – and study my eyes!
Steve Walker, Earthsaver and Jingles Creator
© 2013 Steve Walker, The Jingles-The Japan Foundation for English Pronunciation, Summit Enterprises.