Community-based efforts to preserve native languages: a descriptive study of the Karuk Tribe of northern California

Addresses issues & results of a descriptive study conducted by the Linguistic Instit for Native Americans, Inc., of the Karuk Tribe of northern CA. Once part of a thriving network of indigenous groups located in the remote regions of Klamath River country, the Karuk Tribe today numbers approximately 2,300, among whom it is estimated that only 10 to 12 speak the native language. The history of Karuk contact with European Americans & the resulting impacts that contributed to the near extinction of native language use among Karuk families are traced. The development of past & contemporary approaches taken by the Karuk people to address language revitalization is also described. 11 References. Adapted from the source document.