The Language Warrior's Manifesto Quotes

“Many think the language is nice or pretty—like the song of a bird in the forest. There’s a sense that the forest and especially humans don’t depend on that sound for anything; it doesn’t fill bellies or help people lead longer, healthier, happier lives. But nothing could be further from the truth. Physical, mental, and spiritual health are deeply intertwined.”
― Anton Treuer, The Language Warrior's Manifesto: How to Keep Our Languages Alive No Matter the Odds

“When you speak someone’s language, they get you. And the passion is contagious.”
― Anton Treuer, The Language Warrior's Manifesto: How to Keep Our Languages Alive No Matter the Odds

“It hurts more to be a victim of oppression than a beneficiary, but oppression dehumanizes everyone.”
― Anton Treuer, The Language Warrior's Manifesto: How to Keep Our Languages Alive No Matter the Odds

“There is no way to convince everyone to support the revitalization of our languages, so laying out reasons for our efforts does not mean we wait for them all to join the movement. We act and advocate at the same time. The acting is required to combat inertia. We don’t have time to waste.”
― Anton Treuer, The Language Warrior's Manifesto: How to Keep Our Languages Alive No Matter the Odds

“As we seek to shape the change, we first have to see and explain to the world why language revitalization is important. Language warriors see the importance of their language, center their lives around it, and lead the effort to bring it back.”
― Anton Treuer, The Language Warrior's Manifesto: How to Keep Our Languages Alive No Matter the Odds

“Uncle Sam is never going to come walking out of the bush or over the Plains and hand you your language on a silver platter, saying, “Sorry about the last five hundred years.” The world is not a fair place. Fairness is not given, it is made. So we have to engineer it ourselves.”
― Anton Treuer, The Language Warrior's Manifesto: How to Keep Our Languages Alive No Matter the Odds

“An education is a powerful lever that improves—but doesn’t guarantee—the chances that someone can overcome adversity and make it in spite of the barriers. The myth of the American dream really is a myth.”
― Anton Treuer, The Language Warrior's Manifesto: How to Keep Our Languages Alive No Matter the Odds