VARTABEDIAN: IS ARMENIAN LANGUAGE DYING A SLOW DEATH IN AMERICA?
By: Tom Vartabedian
Wed, Feb 16 2011
As an Armenian School instructor over the past 40 years at my church,
I’ve come to the sobering realization that our language is beginning
to slowly dissipate.
Sad to admit, today’s students don’t appear to gravitate toward the
mother tongue. They would prefer to see their class time devoted to
more “interesting” subjects like Hai Tahd, current events, genocide
education, and the country itself.
It never used to be this way. Back 40 years ago, I had a standardized
curriculum that was underscored by Armenian. Students were taught the
alphabet, writing, reading, and conversational skills. They followed
their text, prepared their assignments diligently, and enjoyed playing
games that incorporated the language.
Every once in a while now, I’ll pick up the grammar and attempt
to squeeze in a language session. It’s like pulling teeth. One of
my better students kept glancing at the clock and asked, “Are we
almost done?”
Had this been a lesson on genocide recognition or the most recent
climb atop Mount Ararat, they would have been enamored. If I had
covered the history of our revolutionaries and assimilation, they
would have availed themselves.
A class on prominent Armenians in film and athletics went over big. So
did another on rural life in Armenia and Karabagh. But when it comes
to the language itself, they appear bored out of their skin.
Perhaps it’s me. No doubt, it’s the teacher who lays out the ground
rules and makes a class stimulating. What worked 40 years ago, surely
isn’t working today. Kids change. Habits become altered. If parents
don’t introduce the language on the home front, it won’t work in
church, especially with the minimal class time you have in between
religious education, Badarak, and other diversions.
I remember when I was their age. Having a grandmother living with
us was like having a built-in educator. Armenian was a household
language and we were expected to utilize it. Even when we became
“Americanized,” the language remained foremost.
Little Armenian is spoken in our churches. Even our sermons are
delivered in English and given a brief translation. When the Der Hayr
is approached by the Armenian-speaking of our parish, it’s usually
in English.
Like the French I learned in high school. Use it or lose it. I’ve
lost it because I didn’t perpetuate it. The same could be said for
our native tongue.
History reminds us that Poland, Hungary, and Romania once held
thriving Armenian communities. But once the language dissolved,
so did the heritage.
Will the same dilemma face America?
Had you been aboard the ACAA Hertage Cruise, you would have seen
the language getting a workout. True, most of the fluent ones were
immigrants. Armenian is their primary language and their children
attend ethnic schools in all probability. They are totally immersed
in the culture.
One or two even remained indignant when English was overused.
I wouldn’t say a non-Armenian speaking passenger was totally out
of luck on this cruise. But let’s say they were left nebulous. The
lectures were delivered in both languages. Same thing with the
announcements. Armenian language classes were being offered on board
with few takers.
Of the 1,250 Armenians on the cruise ship, I would say at least half
were American born. But how long can they sustain the language?
Much as I had the urge to speak English when I visited Armenia with
other Americans, I found myself better off thinking otherwise.
My traveling companion insisted we speak Armenian when we were
outdoors–and we kept to that regimen. When we visited an Armenian
home, there was no question.
For several years now, I’ve tried introducing Armenian language classes
to our community college. No takers. I’ve advertised the program, got
my church to publicize it, passed the word throughout the community,
and still no success.
It went over twice in the 1990’s. The first time, I had a class of 10
and all but 3 were odars. The second session was about the same ratio.
It tells me that odars are more interested in learning our language
than Armenians.
That’s unfortunate.
It does my heart good to see a child speaking Armenian. I know at
least three families who’ve exercised the native language in their
homes for years–and continue to do so today. Their children are
fluent and passed the skills onto their offspring.
Even more impressive is to see an American-born scholar so
proficient in Armenian that they can deliver a flawless lecture
without hesitation.
I’d like some input from readers. How would you handle this situation?
Pass along some solutions on how we might save our language from
extinction in this country.
Tom Vartabedian
Tom Vartabedian is a retired journalist with the Haverhill Gazette,
where he spent 40 years as an award-winning writer and photographer.
He has volunteered his services for the past 46 years as a columnist
and correspondent with the Armenian Weekly, where his pet project was
the publication of a special issue of the AYF Olympics each September.
###
27 Comments
Peter Musurlian February 16, 2011 | Permalink | Reply
Here’s a video on an Armenian-American school (the biggest and most
attended in the USA), that I just completed.
Tom Vartabedian February 16, 2011 | Permalink | Reply
To all my fellow Armenian readers. Take a moment and be inspired. Log
on to Peter Musurlian’s new video and see the work that’s being done
at the Manoogian-Demirdjian AGBU School in turning our young students
into promising Armenian-American citizens. I’m inspired by it!!!
Ara K February 16, 2011 | Permalink | Reply
YES! The Armenian language is condemned to a slow death everywhere,
maybe in Armenia too…
Ara K February 16, 2011 | Permalink | Reply
Excellent video! But the musical instrument (ood) and the tune was
a bit “osmanian”. You should have chosen a much nicer song or music…
Sorry to disappoint you.
Michael Abladian February 16, 2011 | Permalink | Reply
Tom, My friend and I tried to find an adult education class that
taught conversational Armenian. Alas there were none. However, one of
the Armenian churches where we live was offering (for the firt time)
“after hours” Armenian language classes. A noble effort, however, none
were profesional teachers or even good amature teachers and as expected
it was really a great disappointment. We were trying to spool up our
“Armenian” for an upcoming trip to Armenia. We were really committed
in learning. The language is dying because there are few Armenian
communities offering credible courses in conversational or more
rigerous structural courses for adults taught by skilled “teachers”.
Jane February 16, 2011 | Permalink | Reply
Unfortunately, the Armenian programs taught to our youngsters are
outdated, and usually stops at 5th grade. I have two teenagers that
would love to learn the language now, but there is nothing available
to them. It’s a shame. My teenagers can’t be the only Armenians out
there who interested in learning.
Peter Musurlian February 16, 2011 | Permalink | Reply
Thanks Tom…for your kind words.
And…Ara. My buddy…Ivy Leaguer/Lawyer/Musician…Antanig Kzirian,
was nice enough to join me, very early one morning, at a Glendale
coffee shop name, Uratu. It’s a great place.
I taped him improvising-on-his-oud, for about 30 minutes, with the
intention of using the music in a future video. I thought it fit in
well here, but, I must admit, my knowledge of the oud and the music
played on it, is not in-depth.
Danny Kassabian February 16, 2011 | Permalink | Reply
Unforunately this is the sad reality. Two major factors include the
child’s upbringing and the quality of language instruction. It is
painful to state that the Armenian language does not appeal to our
youth for the reason that it may not sound romantic or smooth as other
European languages. Furthermore Armenians seem quite fascinated with
learning other languages. I am in the customer service business when
clients see my lastname they associate me with the Middle East.. i.e.
you must know Arabic or Turkish or even Russian. History and
geography dictate the fate of our people. Oh how the great Armenian
poet Silva Kaputikian’s message echo’s through my mind. I don’t
remember many poems however I remember these words… “And look my
son, no matter where you are .. Where ever you may go and live under
the moon.. Even if you forget your mother… DON’T EVER FORGET YOUR
MATERNAL LANGUAGE”…..
Finally to include the survival of the language relies soley upon
one major factor, Armenians marrying Armenians and not odars. Look
forward to the debate and further comments on this forum.
Arthur Acopians February 16, 2011 | Permalink | Reply
It is the responsibility of the parents to introduce it in the house.
It needs to start somewhere, have we become so Americanized that we
put our cultural responsibilities onto other people? This is not like
us and it is, quite frankly, dissappointing. I have a friend here in
Glendale that is 26 years old, his 3 year old son speaks Armenian,
he does not know English yet. I asked why he did that and he said
that we bear the attributes, if it walks and quacks like a duck,
it cannot be a cow. At home I speak Armenian with my parents and
they speak English with me so that we can correct each other, to
keep alive our past while flourishing in to the future. My parents
came from Tehran and have enrolled both my sister and myself in
Armenian classes as supplemental education to our normal American
education. They felt it was their responsibility to keep it alive,
as do I. As should everyone else.
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Avetis February 17, 2011 | Permalink | Reply
Slow death? The Armenian language in America went into cardiac arrest
and died a long time ago. The garbage we sometimes hear Amerikahais
speak, crap like – “yes girlfriendis het movie gertamgor as weekendin”
– is an absurdity!
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Kevo February 17, 2011 | Permalink | Reply
Marrying Armenian is a huge factor…… even so I know many “full”
Armenian families who do not speak Armenian. Some even choose to
not teach their children. I was raised in a family that only spoke
Armenian when referring to food or using slang and in both cases all
the while mixed with Turkish words. My parents rarely spoke Armenian
and even my grandmother spoke perfect english with no accent. I was
determined that I would never let this happen to my children. Step 1.
Marry Armenian Step 2. Speak Armenian. Step 3. Send kids to Armenian
private school. Step 4. Participate in Armenian language studies with
your children. Of course not everyone has access to Armenian private
schools, but to keep the language alive in America, Armenian schools
are the best weapon to fight the death of our mother tongue. Also,
speak the language you know best. I spoke english to my kids and my
wife spoke Armenian. Now they speak both languages. A little work and
commitment make all the difference. Choose to perpetuate the language
not to kill it!
mkrtich February 17, 2011 | Permalink | Reply
Western Armenian started down the road to death with the eviction and
exile of Armenians from their native lands. Here in the U.S. what
passes for Armenian has liitle relation to the language as once
spoken. It can neither be compared to the cosmopolitan vernacular of
Istanbul or the regional dialects of wetsern Armenian provinces.
No language can survive, much less develop and transform itelf, when it
exists in a societal vacuum. This is the case of Armenian in America
and now sadly all over the so-called diaspora. Even in the “ghettos”
of Glendale and Bourj-Hamoud, the Armenian spoken is trunacated,
bastardized and merely a vehicle for casual conversation – NOT MORE.
Where is Armenian used in the sciences, literature, philosophical
debate…in the Republic of Armenia, and even there it is under
constant threat. Russian linguistic modalities, not just words and
expressions, have polluted the language and bent it out of shape.
If Armenian is under threat in the RA, what chance does it have
outside?
Seervart February 17, 2011 | Permalink | Reply
It has been a difficult journey for me as I thaught Armenian in a
Saturday school and I know my language very well; but my husband
doesn’t speak or know the language. We speak English at home but
my child went to Saturday school yet speaks only English with us. I
have thaught her more in the summertimes though she spoke with her
grandmother only in Armenian, but doesn’t speak it with me. Of course
I am continuously encouraging it. Summertime is my time to instill
it more vigorously.
gayane February 17, 2011 | Permalink | Reply
I agree with Kevo…
I am afraid for myself and my children because we came here when we
were young and we did not have the opportunity to learn the langauge,
the mother tongue 100%… We did not learn English 100%.. Basically
some of us are people who know languages but none to the point of
perfection..
I just hope that by the time I have kids, we would still have schools
and educators offering ARmenian languages classes because I for one
will send my kids to learn our mother tongue.. 100%…
Gayane
Sonya February 17, 2011 | Permalink | Reply
First and foremost making it imperative to speak the language at
home is probably THE most effective way of keeping the language
alive. The fact that 2 parents who speak perfect Armenian would
choose to speak English to their children is devastating. Why
not speak Armenian even if for the sake that at that age a childs
brain is like a sponge and he/she will learn so easily? In the USA,
English will be learned inevitably and could even be incorporated
into household lessons before pre-school if parents are concerned. I
don’t feel that the children are the problem, I feel that the lack of
discipline and passion by parents is a major factor contribution to
the dying language. For instance – modern day parenting has shifted
from parent led to child-centered. As long as this remains the case,
and a classroom of childrens attitudes is dictating the curriculum
or discouraging the teacher – there will be no progress. Perhaps Mr
Vartabedian you could start at the beginning – inspire these children
into understanding why it is that their language is such a priceless
thing to learn. All the things they find exciting – the politics in
Armenia (exciting indeed), or needless to say the school trips these
youths often eventually go on to visit the homeland – I cannot tell
you how many wish they spoke the language and it is often much harder
because they leave it so late. SO – Armenian language lessons in school
must be imperative, manadatory and not optional but most importantly,
these kids need to be inspired and educated about the why and how.
LOuise February 17, 2011 | Permalink | Reply
I saw the marvelous exhibit called BESA at the U.N. two years ago and
since then I have had new respect and love for the Armenian people. I
hope you can encourage the next generation that what they have is
precious and they must safeguard it and the culture. America has been
voracious in gobbling up foreign cultures and making their people feel
“less then” when in fact they have alot to teach us.
Avetis February 17, 2011 | Permalink | Reply
Time to adopt Eastern Armenian as the official language of ALL
Armenians. We have two of too many things. Two nations, Armenia and
Artsakh… Two peoples, Eastern Armenians and Western Armenians… Two
Katoghikoses…Two languages… We need to consolidate and unify.
Languages play a fundamental role in unifying a people. Although
Armenians do not realize this, the fact is that our two distinct
dialects cause psychological/cultural divisions within our people.
Even when we don’t think of it consciously, inside, its always them
and us. We need to end this self-destructive status quo. The new
generation of Armenians growing up in the diaspora needs to learn
the language of their homeland in the Caucasus and not the language
of Turkish-Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire. Face it, Western
Armenia won’t be resettled by diaspopran Armenians. If Western Armenia
is ever liberated, it will be liberated by Armenians from Armenia. As
sad as it is, Western Armenian needs to be let go – for the sake of
national unity.
PS: the Armenian language in Armenia is flourishing and developing. I
am hopeful that the Mesrobian grammar will be reinstated soon as well.
The Armenian language in Armenia has one enemy – the corrosive language
of globalization, English.
Panos February 17, 2011 | Permalink | Reply
Really the ONLY EFFECTIVE way of keeping the mother tongue is to speak
it in the home. No class or other technique will hone the skills of
the language better than if it is spoken at home. I urge all Armenians
to marry Armenian and speak Armenian with your children.
All it takes is one generation of non-Armenian speakers to destroy
the perpetuation of the Armenian language in a family.
Worried February 17, 2011 | Permalink | Reply
My parents spoke to us in Armenian at home. When I was very young,
my parents would ignore me unless I answered them in Armenian. Some
may call that child abuse today… They pretended like they didn’t know
English and I’m sure it drove me crazy when they didn’t respond. But it
forced me to talk to them in Armenian and it worked. Today, I probably
speak better Armenian than 95% of people my age (late 20s).
I blame the parents (those that know Armenian) who are too lazy to
force their children to learn. Those Armenians who know very little
Armenian should send their kids to Armenian schools or go online for
readily available educational resources.
Boyajian February 17, 2011 | Permalink | Reply
Judging from the posts here it seems like a good idea for someone to
post links/resources for learning the language, especially for adults
who would like to learn and also teach their children.
Editor: Could the Weekly print some? Who is producing good quality,
user friendly programs?
Armen February 17, 2011 | Permalink | Reply
Avetis,
Consolidation and unification in all spheres, included the linguistic,
is a must, I agree. Few reservations, though. The language of
Western Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire is the original,
genuine Armenian, not the one (Ashkharabar) created by the Russian
influence agent Khachatour Abovian as an added effort to drive a
wedge into the unity of the Armenian nation.
It is dubious to suggest whether Armenians growing up in the diaspora
need to learn the language of their homeland in the South Caucasus,
or the other way round. Our homeland in the South Caucasus is 3
mln-strong, whereas 7 mln reside in the Diaspora. So, with the same
token, it may be said that Eastern Armenian needs to be let go for
the sake of national unity.
It is also highly hypothetical to suggest that Western Armenia won’t
be resettled by diasporan Armenians. I know many people who’d move
and I don’t doubt their sincerity to continue living on the lands of
their grandparents. Where did you get your statistics?
P.S. If English, as “the corrosive language of globalization” is
now considered by you as enemy to the Armenian language in Armenia,
please recall that not so long ago Russian was such an enemy to the
Armenian language both in Tsarist Russian and Soviet Armenia.
Radicalization of natural developmental processes is unnecessary.
Objectivity must prevail over Westernophobia and Russophilia.
Richard Kazanjian February 17, 2011 | Permalink | Reply
I’m an American Born Armenian who would LOVE to learn the language
properly. I live in Sacramento, CA and need resources. Please help.
Garen Yegparian February 17, 2011 | Permalink | Reply
Seerelee Haro,
Tegooz shad barz guh tvee arachargt cordzatrel, khorkeen mech,
aytbess cheh, aha teh eenchoo.
Zanazan “hedkrkragan” niuteruh haghirteloo hamar, tzhpakhdapar
unthanrabess anclerenee guh teemvee vorovhedev lsogh
yerekha/yereedasartneruh ARTEN EESG HAYEREN KHOSEEL CHEN KEEDER.
Hedevapar arachargt cordzatreluh guh hastzneh anor, vor voch lezoon,
voch al ayt mius niuteruh guh haghortveen.
Dear Haro,
While it seems a simple matter to impliment your proposal, in reality,
it is not. Here’s why.
To teach the “interesting” topics, English is used because the students
do not know Armenian. Thus the implimentation of your proposal would
result in neither those topics nor the language being received by
the targeted youth.
mik February 17, 2011 | Permalink | Reply
I am not even Armenian, I am from the u.k.,but visited 10 years ago,
and usually average two weeks a year ther. I decided to study the
language four years ago, and the next summer changed from poor Russian
to equally poor Armenian. Now I can get by in most situations, speak
to taxi drivers in 3-4 treks across mountains, often denying that
I know any Russian so that we speak Armenian. It was ell worth the
effort and my Armenian has improved. The welcome I get for making this
effort has been worth all the hours study I did on the train to work!
Tom Vartabedian February 17, 2011 | Permalink | Reply
To Richard Kazanjian. If I were you, living in Sacramento, and looking
to learn Armenian, I would search my area to see if any colleges are
teaching the language. Next, I would purchase some Armenian grammars
(they’re available at many major bookstores) and become self-taught. I
would hang around Armenian-speaking people, attend church regularly,
maybe there’s a church-oriented program there for adults, and sign
up post haste. Like any language, it takes practice, determination
and inspiration. How far you take it is entirely up to you. And don’t
discard the possibility of visiting Armenia and becoming immersed in
the language and culture. Hang around those who are fluent and some
of the luster will rub off on you. Hope this helps a little.
From: A. Papazian
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2011/02/16/is-armenian-language-dying-a-slow-death-in-america/
http://www.agbumds.org/apps/video/watch.jsp?v=12997
http://www.nayiri.com: