A new language-learning course in Dihthaad Xt’een Iin Aanděeg’ (Tanacross) is now available in Doyon Languages Online. The online course is available for free to all interested language learners; find more information and sign up at doyonfoundation.com/dlo.
About the course
The Dihthâad Xt’een Iin Aanděeg’ (Tanacross) course includes 12 units, with up to six lessons per unit. Through the online course, students will learn how to speak Tanacross conversationally and in culturally relevant ways. It includes an alphabet lesson; conversational videos; practice activities in speaking, listening, reading and writing; information on Tanacross grammar and culture; and more.
About Dihthâad Xt’een Iin Aanděeg’ (Tanacross)
The name “Tanacross Athabascan,” Dihthâad Xt’een Iin Aanděeg’ refers to the Dena (Athabascan) language spoken by people living in the upper Tanana valley in the area of present‑day Tanacross village. Tanacross communities include Tok, Taats’altęy (Tanacross), Dihthâad (Mansfield), Tehłuug Ninhdeex Ndiig (Joseph Village), and Saagéscheeg (Kechumstuk).
About the course developers
Irene Solomon Arnold and Rose Benson were early developers of this course; their dedicated efforts created the first drafts of the units and lessons. Additional contributors include Verna Hagen, Jerry Isaac, Chance Shank, Dollie Jonathan, Nellie Probert, and linguistic consultants Siri Tuttle and John Ritter. The team offers special recognition to the late Laura Sanford for her important contributions to the documentation of Tanacross language, as well as Elder Isabelle John.
Additional thanks go to Doyon Foundation staff Allan Diton Hayton, Myles Creed, Deloole’aanh Erickson, Doris Miller and Tiffany Simmons, as well as Transparent Language, 7000 Languages, and Doyon, Limited. This course was funded by the U.S. Department of Education Alaska Native Education Program, grant # S356A170021.
About Doyon Languages Online
Through Doyon Languages Online, Doyon Foundation is working to increase the number of people who can speak the endangered Native languages of the Doyon region.
Currently available courses include:
- Benhti Kokhut’ana Kenaga’ (Lower Tanana)
- Deg Xinag
- Denaakk’e (Koyukon)
- Dihthaad Xt’een Iin Aanděeg’ (Tanacross)
- Dinjii Zhuh K’yaa (Gwich’in)
- Hän (Doyon Languages Online course, plus special memorial course based on the work of the late Isaac Juneby)
- Holikachuk
Courses in Dinak’i (Upper Kuskokwim) and Nee’aanèegn’ (Upper Tanana) are in the final testing stages and are expected to be available soon.
Doyon Languages Online courses are available for free to all interested learners. Students can sign up and access the courses from a desktop or laptop computer, or via the Transparent Language app available for both Apple and Android mobile devices and tablets.
For more information on the Doyon Languages Online project and upcoming course releases, please visit doyonfoundation.com/dlo or contact 907.459.2048 or foundation@doyon.com. For assistance signing up for or using Doyon Languages Online, view the instructional video series on YouTube.
Tsíná’ęę!