Teaching the Navajo Language at University

When we think of how we learn to speak a language, memorizing words, phrases and grammatical rules is a piece of the puzzle. But is there more to it than that? Dr. Melvatha Chee, Director of the Navajo Language program at the University of New Mexico, argues that for learners of Dine' Bizaad (the Navajo language), learning the culture is an essential part of the process. But in the field of linguistics, infusing it with culture is kind of a no-no, a degradation of the purity of Language. Join us as we find out what Melvatha’s doing about this--including creating an innovative immersive experience for Dine' in Albuquerque, New Mexico, designed to keep cultural teachings and the language alive in urban areas.