Wampanoag Language Reclamation Project

Aquinnah, MAThe Wôpanâak language (Wampanoag) was once spoken throughout eastern Massachusetts, but had no remaining speakers by the mid 18th century.  But because Wampanoag is a member of the largest language family in North America, known as Algonquian, tribal citizens have been able to utilize extensive historic document collections, and combine careful study of historic texts with cross-linguistic comparisons to yield rules of grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary. It is also important to note that in reconstructing the language, a major resource is the King James Bible, the first bible to be printed in North America, and published entirely in the Wampanoag language in the mid-17th century. Tribal linguists have uncovered a wealth of cultural and spiritual knowledge from their ancestors by comparing subseqent editions of 17th century religious texts, many translated by their ancestors who discussed and determined what concepts in the traditional Wampanoag world view could be used to represent Christian ideas such as heaven, hell, and sin.

The awakening of Wôpanâak after seven generations without speakers is a uniquely inspiring story of cultural survival and tribal unity. Tribal citizens founded the Wampanoag Language Reclamation Project in 1997, and its participants and students are the first Native American community to successfully reclaim a language with no living speakers.

The project now has two MIT-credentialed Wampanoag linguists, six conversationally fluent teachers, a dozen advanced students, and has instructed over 150 community members, including participants at annual 3-day family immersion camps, serving tribal citizens from the Wampanoag communities of Mashpee, Aquinnah, Assonet and Herring Pond.