Language immersion: Navajo students help revitalize Diné bizaad

Navajo language classes in Albuquerque are helping Navajo students reconnect with their at-risk language and, more broadly, their culture.

The Navajo language, or Diné bizaad, is one of the most widely spoken Native American languages, with an estimated 170,000 speakers worldwide. However, the language is classified as endangered, per the World Atlas of Languages from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

That’s why there are efforts to revitalize the language, or help reverse its declining use. There are many opportunities for school-age students to engage with language revitalization.

The Navajo language class at the Albuquerque Public Schools Career Enrichment Center is one such effort to teach the younger generation about Navajo language and culture. This can be especially important for students who don’t have the opportunity to learn about the language independently.

“You get immersed not only with the language but with the cultural ties in everything that you say,” said Kaylee Bahe, the high school representative on the APS Indian Education Committee.

Many students develop a connection to this language long before they take formal classes.

For example, for Bahe, who grew up on the Navajo Nation with her grandparents, Navajo is her first language.

Additionally, Navajo student Lia Garcia’s mom speaks Navajo to her, so she understands the language well, even though speaking it can be difficult. That’s where school classes come in to help.

“I learned a lot through activities, mainly through games, and just digging deeper into the culture,” said Garcia.

This connection to the language is what gives many students an interest in the formal classes.

“I never really took interest in it growing up, just ‘cause I couldn’t really see any value in it,” said Wesley Kozad, a Navajo student at Cibola High School. “But as I grew up, I learned more about my traditions, I learned more about my culture, I learned more about why we need to start speaking it more.”

As learning opportunities become more widespread, many Navajo students hope to see more integration of the Navajo language into New Mexican society. Kozad said there are a lot of Native tribes in New Mexico but “not enough recognition of them.”

“It’s unfortunately a dying language,” Kozad said. “Not a lot of people know this language, so why shouldn’t I go and try to help that cause?”