About the Language:
Yesa:sahį is an Indigenous language associated with Native American communities in North Carolina. Like many Indigenous languages, it carries cultural knowledge, history, and traditions that have been passed down through generations.
About the Interview:
In this interview, Vickie discusses their experience with Yesa:sahį and shares what the language means to them and their connection to their community.
Vickie Jeffries – Speaking Yesa:sahį in NC
VRS: What is your full name, and where were you born and where do you currently reside?
VJ: My name is Vickie Jeffries. I was born in Burlington, North Carolina, and I currently reside in Graham, in Alamance County.
VRS: What Indigenous language do you speak?
VJ: I speak Yesa:sahį.
VRS: How did you learn this language?
VJ: I learned by studying with linguists and through Horatio Hale’s book.
VRS: Do you regularly speak this language in your day-to-day life? If so, who do you speak it with?
VJ: I speak it with other tribal nations that speak the same language. I am also one of the teachers for our online classes.
VRS: What has your experience been speaking this language in North Carolina, a state that does not have much Indigenous language representation?
VJ: People tend to think that our language is lost or extinct. They also think that all Indigenous languages are lost.
VRS: Have you noticed a decline in the number of speakers? Why do you think that is?
VJ: Yes. There are only a handful of people who use the language, partly because learning a new language requires a lot of commitment.
VRS: How do you feel about speaking your language in public? Why?
VJ: I love speaking my language in public. I will speak in Yesa:sahį and then translate.
VRS: What do you think North Carolina could do to encourage and promote the speaking of Indigenous languages?
VJ: There needs to be more visibility that there are Native nations in North Carolina that still have a language. There also needs to be more funding for revitalization.
VRS: Has your relationship with your language changed over time?
VJ: It has gotten stronger. Yesa:sahį continues to be my first thought. Before speaking in English, I think about saying it in Yesa:sahį first.
VRS: Can you share a memory connected to hearing or speaking your language?
VJ: I did a presentation where the entire introduction was in Yesa:sahį, and I could see the amazement on the faces of the audience.
VRS: What is a favorite word or phrase that you have in your language?
VJ: Ale:wa — “see you later.” There is no word in Yesa:sahį for “goodbye.”
VRS: How do younger generations in your community engage with the language?
VJ: I think it is less than 50%. Most will learn another language, such as Spanish or French.
VRS: What concerns do you have about the future of your language?
VJ: I hope that it will continue to be spoken and revitalized for generations to come.
VRS: What advice would you give to someone interested in learning an Indigenous language?
VJ: Stay committed and never let it become extinct.
VRS: What do you wish more people knew about Indigenous languages and your language?
VJ: If you have at least one speaker, your language is not extinct.
VRS: What teaching methods have been most successful for you?
VJ: Having a smaller class has been successful. We speak in the language, have the class repeat three times, and have them respond in Yesa:sahį, saying yes and no in both female and male forms.
VRS: What is a common misconception you hear when teaching others about your language?
VJ: Many people did not know that we had a language at all.
Short Intro by Vickie in Yesa:sahį
