Speaking Kiowa Today: Continuity and Change Through the Generations

Abstract

Speaking Kiowa Today constitutes a systematic, in-depth look at language change over four generations, focusing on one language, Kiowa, during a period of intense language change, often called obsolescence. The integration of ethnolinguistic and structural linguistic research provides a more comprehensive model for examining language obsolescence, or as argued here, language change, as Kiowa cannot yet be considered obsolete due to the important roles it plays in Kiowa society. This joint research methodology reveals how language use is related to linguistic change, as well as which Kiowa forms are changing due to contact with English, and which are undergoing attrition, the eroding of the linguistic system due to disuse. In describing Kiowa as it is spoken today, this work proves that Modern Kiowa is not only a system worthy of being described, but that newer forms are not ‘compromised’ or ‘corrupt.’ Instead, it provides support to the theory that languages can evolve from polysynthetic towards more analytic in structure. Speaking Kiowa Today illustrates how Modern Kiowa speakers are creatively fulfilling necessary functions within the community today, and the language is still viable and useful. It is the end goal of this research that validating the modern form of the language will contribute to language revitalization within any community by restoring pride to speakers of all types, encouraging curriculum development, and supporting language use for more functions.