Ellavina Perkins facts for kids
Ellavina Tsosie Perkins (born in 1940) is a brilliant expert who studies languages, especially the Navajo language. She works independently as a scholar.
She learned from Ken Hale, a famous language professor at MIT. Ellavina Perkins earned her highest degree, a Ph.D., from the University of Arizona. Her special research project was about how words are ordered in Navajo sentences and how their meaning changes based on that order.
What is a Linguist?
A linguist is like a language detective! They study how languages work. This includes looking at how sounds are made, how words are formed, and how sentences are put together. They also explore how languages change over time and how people use them. Ellavina Tsosie Perkins is a linguist who focuses on the Navajo language.
Ellavina Perkins is a key member of the Navajo Language Academy. This group helps to preserve and teach the Navajo language. She is currently working with Theodore B. Fernald on a big project called the Navajo Grammar Project.
This project aims to create a complete reference book about the Navajo language. Think of it like a detailed instruction manual for the language. It will explain all the rules of Navajo grammar, making it easier for people to learn and understand. This important work received a major grant, which is like a large gift of money, from the National Endowment for the Humanities. This shows how important their work is considered!
