Language through Song (Lakotiya olowan unspekiya)
Modern day language development has many aspects that are tried and true through the generations from total physical response, standard written curriculum, spoken word, and a mixture of all methodologies of teaching. One way of learning the language that has been effective for myself and many others is learning through songs and singing. Every indigenous tribe has traditional songs that are connected to spirituality, culture, society, and everyday life activities. Through the song a mentor could be effective in teaching the song first through practice sessions than eventually focusing on the interpretation of the song. For a language student, learning a new song will give self-confidence while sing the spoken language to eventually understanding what they are singing and truly expressing the meaning when they sing. When this level of achievement is reached, the student can fully embrace the language and share it with their community and families. This aspect of teaching through song will help a language learner develop and truly mean what they say for a purpose.
There are different types of songs that can be used for different purposes. A beginner’s song is always the Lakota flag song when I was growing up and is continued in the public school system here on the reservation. An additional route for a universal song to be shared in a language teaching setting is a wopila olowan or a thank you song. Here is an old song to teach through singing first and then interpreting what the words mean.
Tunkasila pilamaya ye
Pilamaya ye, pilamaya yelo.
Wicozani wan mayaku cha
Pilamaya yelo.
The song would have to be taught in person to catch the melody first and to eventually practice around a drum or hand drum session. Eventually, the words can be interpreted after the student demonstrate an intermediate understanding of the song. The interpretation of the song is simplistic but can hold several meanings to each individual.
Interpretation
Grandfather thank you
Thank you, thank you.
You give me health (into the future)
Thank you.
The song gives our explanation to our terminology of what we call our creator(s) and the source we come from which the meaning a translated through several oral history stories of the rock (Inyan) or (Tunka). Just as any belief system, we give thanks for the many blessings we receive every day and to be mindful of how fortunate we are everyday to be alive. The interpretation can be different depending on a person who was ill and overcame the illness or someone who is in perfect health and is remaining grateful for good health.