DAKOTA LANGUAGE PLANNING PROJECT

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILLING OUT SURVEY
Copy survey and paste into the body of an email, answer and send to: mmdcorg@comcast.net  or print the survey, answer the questions and mail to: MMDC, P.O. Box 50835, Mendota, MN 55150 We appreciate your interest in the Dakota Language.

1. How much of the Dakota Language do you speak?
_______Cannot speak or understand the Dakota Language
_______Cannot speak but understand some
_______Cannot speak but understand very well
_______Can speak some and understand some
_______Can speak some and understand very well
_______Can speak and understand very well
_______Can speak and understand extremely well and can create words
2. When you were a child, did anyone in your family speak Dakota?
_____Paternal grandmother _____Paternal grandfather
_____Maternal grandmother _____Maternal grandfather
_____Mother ______Father _______Brother ______Sister
_____Another relative, please specify___________________
_____Don't know

3. If you do not currently speak Dakota, would you like to learn?
_______Yes, definitely _______Yes, probably
_______No, probably not _______No, definitely not
_______Don't know
4. Have you ever attended a Dakota Language Class?
_______Yes __________No If yes, where__________________________________
Are you still attending? ________Yes _________No
If not, why not?__________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
5. Have you ever studied the Dakota Language on your own?
_______Yes __________No
6. If you were to learn Dakota, the top five reasons would be: (Place the numbers 1-5 in the blank to the left of your choice)
___________One or more of my ancestors were Dakota
___________It is broadening to know more than one language
___________I would better understand the Dakota Culture
___________It would make me feel more a part of the tribe
___________I would be able to read Dakota books and documents
___________To better understand history from a Dakota point of view
___________To keep the Dakota tradition alive
___________I would be able to talk to Dakota speakers from other parts of the U.S.
___________Dakota is a beautiful language
___________Other_______________________________________________________
Views on the Dakota Language and your Dakota Heritage
7. My feelings about the Dakota language are:
________I wish to achieve fluency
________I am interested in learning a lot more about the language
________I would like to learn a little more about the language
________I am not interested in learning
________I have not thought about it enough to answer
________Other
8. How important is having knowledge of the Dakota Language to a person's identity as a Dakota?
________Very important ________Somewhat important
________Not very important ________Not important at all
________Don't know
9. Please choose a number from the scale that represents how strongly you agree or disagree with each statement:
1- Strongly agree; 2-Agree; 3-Neutral; 4- Disagree; 5-Strongly disagree; 6-Don't know
______The Dakota Language is worth learning
______We should work hard to save the Dakota Language
______It is looking backward instead of forward to keep the language alive
______If I learn Dakota I will have plenty of chances to use it
______Knowing Dakota is of no value to the modern world.
______It is a difficult language to learn
______Dakota's should be able to read books and publications in the language
______There is important information about the culture written in the Dakota language
______You cannot be a real Dakota unless you speak the language
______As most Dakota speak English, it is a waste of time to learn
______The preservation of the Dakota language is unrealistic
10. From what source and where would you feel most comfortable learning Dakota? (check all that apply)
_____At home
_____From a Relative
_____Community class (Language table, class taught by community member
_____University
_____From books, tapes, CD's, Computer
_____A Dakota Elder
_____Other_______________________________________________________
11. How comfortable would you be with learning Dakota from a non-Indian?
_____Very comfortable ______Comfortable ______Neutral _______Uncomfortable
_____Very Uncomfortable
12. How important do you think it is to keep the Dakota Language alive?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Why?________________________________________________________________________
13. What advantages might someone who can speak Dakota have?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
14. Obstacles to learning and speaking the Dakota Language
Check all that apply
________Not enough time ________Inadequate instruction (for example, teachers, classes) ________Inadequate media (books, tapes, videos)________Language too difficult
________Nervousness or anxiety when speaking ________Other_____________________________________________________
15. What do you think needs to happen to ensure the survival of the Dakota Language?
____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
16. How interested are you in participating in a Dakota Language Revitalization Program?
________Very interested ________Somewhat interested
________Not very interested ________Not interested at all
________Don't know
CHILDREN
17. Are your children able to speak the Dakota Language?
_____I do not have children
_____Not able to speak at all _____Knows a few words _____Can speak & understand a little _____Can speak & understand well _____Can speak & understand very well
18. I want my child to speak Dakota.
_____Strongly agree _____Agree _____Neutral _____Disagree _____Strongly disagree
19. Any additional comments, concerns or ideas about the Dakota Language.

General Information
1. Name___________________________________
2. What city do you reside in?_________________________
3. How old are you?____________
4. What is your gender? Male_________ Female__________