Tucson Region

O'odham hope anthem translates into youth interest

There's no word in Tohono O'odham for "ramparts," one of the words in "The Star-Spangled Banner." Regardless of translation difficulties, Tohono O'odham Nation members say a translated version of the anthem sung on national television last week will encourage young people to learn the language and recognize their own citizenship in the United States. "Our language is a sacred element of who we are as a people," said nation Chairwoman Vivian Juan-Saunders. "It creates our uniqueness." The translation of "The Star-Spangled Banner" also connects tribal members to the patriotic icons of the United States. "That's very important, too," Juan-Saunders said. "We have our own unique songs that could be considered our own national anthem. "But we have members who have volunteered for military service" - both before and after tribal members gained U.S. citizenship in 1924, she noted - "and we are very proud of that tradition. It's ingrained in us, as well." Ofelia Zepeda, a linguistics professor at the University of Arizona and a nation member, credits Albert Alvarez, an author and pioneer of Tohono O'odham studies, for the translation. She described Alvarez as a self-taught linguist who worked with MIT professor Kenneth Hale to develop a writing system for the language. The O'odham nation adopted the writing system developed by them as the official orthography. Alvarez, who according to Zepeda is in poor health, could not be reached for comment. Zepeda said her copy of the written translation of the national anthem is dated July 5, 1991. Increasingly it is sung regularly at the commencement ceremony for Tohono O'odham Community College. Like countless other language comparisons, English and O'odham don't literally translate. In O'odham, "star-spangled" would translate most closely into "huhu'u" or "stars." The language has unique subtleties that can change meaning. Certain words can be used to soften statements or remove responsibility from the speaker. Keeping the traditional language alive should be a goal for all nation members, said Terrol Dew Johnson, co-director of the nonprofit Tohono O'odham Community Action located in Sells. The grant-funded organization is dedicated to "cultural revitalization, community health and sustainable development" of the nation. The organization has elder members give singing lessons to children in Sells. Johnson hopes that last week's recitation of the anthem on a national stage, for the Democratic National Convention, will encourage O'odham youth to learn traditional songs. "I really, really do hope so. My personal feeling is there's a lot of young people who probably didn't even see it at all," Johnson said. "We definitely know how important it is learning and trying to pass it on." Johnson did not see the broadcast but heard about it afterward. He was particularly proud that the song was broadcast from the San Xavier Elderly Center with traditionally woven baskets and other art as a backdrop. "That sounded really beautiful. It was definitely a proud moment," he said. Zepeda was also proud. "I think having the national anthem sung in O'odham at the convention certainly infused a sense of pride among not only the O'odham people but also other native people because it was a Native American language … and I think it also certainly pulled on the O'odham people's sense of patriotism." Zepeda, a native O'odham speaker, said that compared to other native languages, O'odham is "somewhat vibrant." Although there has never been a full, formal assessment of the language, Zepeda said anecdotal information shows that O'odham is one of the few native languages where adults speak it and no other language. There is also a large bilingual population. Zepeda estimated in 2000 that up to 60 percent of nation members speak the language although less than 1 percent can read and write it. Like many of the U.S. native languages, the danger for its survival is that many young children don't learn the language at home or in some other setting. And despite last week's fanfare, Johnson said nobody has asked to learn the translated anthem. "I don't think anyone would, honestly. That's not our traditional song to sing. That's for the United States. For an O'odham to want to sing the anthem at a traditional ceremony is ridiculous," Johnson said. "On a national basis, it's a great honor. We are Americans as well."