Osage Language and Lifeways - by Cameron Pratt & Stephanie Rapp & Marcia Haag & Dylan Herrick

About the Book

The Osage language is a vital part of Osage identity. The language suffered rapid decline during the twentieth century, but the Osage people are taking significant steps to revitalize its use. To that end, this volume--the first ever introductory Osage grammar textbook--is a much-needed resource for students, teachers, scholars, and anyone wishing to learn how to speak and write Osage.

Book Synopsis

The Osage language is a vital part of Osage identity. The language suffered rapid decline during the twentieth century, but the Osage people are taking significant steps to revitalize its use. To that end, this volume--the first ever introductory Osage grammar textbook--is a much-needed resource for students, teachers, scholars, and anyone wishing to learn how to speak and write Osage. Written collectively by bilingual Osage speakers and linguists, Osage Language and Lifeways offers both clear grammatical instruction and valuable cultural information.

As the authors explain in their introduction, the Osage language, a Dhegiha language within the Siouan language family, is highly complex. Drawing on their Native language expertise and classroom experience, the authors clarify elements of Osage grammar that are entirely different from English grammar or other European languages. Each chapter begins with a short dialogue or story written by Osage speakers. These passages present commonly used expressions and provide glimpses into Osage life experiences. The lessons are ordered in such a way that students can quickly learn how to pronounce Osage words, understand and make full sentences, and read and write the Osage alphabet.

Where possible, the authors limit the amount of difficult linguistic terminology and include numerous examples to illustrate their points. At the same time, this book is sufficiently descriptive for linguists seeking to study the language on a more technical level.

An important contribution to the study of indigenous languages, Osage Language and Lifeways opens a new pathway for Osages to learn and practice the language of their ancestors and ensure its continuity for future generations.

Review Quotes

"Osage Language and Lifeways is a gift of empowerment that will supplement, build, and inspire knowledge of Osage in language learners and researchers. With love and respect for the community and its allies, this book is an act of care for the culture, people, and the ongoing revitalization of the Osage language, moving us toward the day when this language is once again spoken at every level of fluency and in every context of life."--Chelsea Tayrien Hicks (Osage Nation), author of A Calm and Normal Heart: Stories


"The book is an expression of a love for the Osage language that has spanned a lifetime for both Pratt and Rapp."--Osage News


"Osage Language and Lifeways provides student-friendly curriculum in the Osage language that is engaging and culturally relevant. The authentic voices of Cameron Pratt and Stephanie Rapp come through, with dialogues and example sentences about community traditions as well as modern times. This book represents a valuable gift from dedicated educators to promote speaking of their heritage language for generations to come."--Jill D. Greer, Professor of Anthropology and Siouan language expert, Missouri Southern State University


"A much-needed text for Osage language teachers and students, Osage Language and Lifeways provides sequenced lessons which will be incredibly useful in academic settings and for independent language learners. Thank you to Cameron Pratt, Stephanie Rapp, Marcia Haag, and Dylan Herrick for their years of dedication to Osage language."--Janis Carpenter, Principal Teacher, Osage Nation Language Department

"Language and culture are key to a people retaining their identity. Osage Language and Lifeways offers an expert linguistic approach to Osage culture and language, contributing much to their continuation. Readers from varied disciplines will be rewarded with the level of knowledge and information presented. Congratulations are in order for everyone involved in this publication."--Archie Mason (Osage Nation), educator, Osage Congress member, and Executive Minister, All Tribes Indian Baptist Church