Choctaw Nation partners with Rosetta Stone to preserve tribal language

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma has partnered with Rosetta Stone to include Chahta anumpa on the education software platform, according to Oklahoma Voice. Tribal officials announced the partnership Dec. 16, saying the effort is intended to preserve the Choctaw language and expand access for tribal citizens as the number of fluent speakers has sharply declined, a trend accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton said sharing the language ensures cultural continuity and strengthens identity for future generations. “Each word spoken is the core that strengthens our families and our culture, and secures our identity as the Chahta people,” Batton said in a statement, according to Oklahoma Voice. Chahta anumpa will be offered through Rosetta Stone’s Endangered Languages Program, which focuses on recording and teaching at-risk languages.