Ofelia Zepeda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ofelia Zepeda
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|---|---|
| Born | 1952 |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater |
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| Title | Professor |
| Awards | Macarthur Fellow |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | The University of Arizona |
| Thesis | Topics in Papago Morphology (1984) |
| Doctoral advisor | Susan Steele |
Ofelia Zepeda was born in Stanfield, Arizona, in 1952. She is a Tohono O'odham poet and a respected scholar. She teaches the Tohono O'odham language and linguistics at The University of Arizona. She also leads the American Indian Language Development Institute (AILDI) there.
Dr. Zepeda helps create resources for Native American languages. She also edits a book series called Sun Tracks. This series features amazing works by Native American artists and writers. She is also recognized in the Arizona Women's Hall of Fame.
About Ofelia Zepeda
Ofelia Zepeda is a professor of linguistics at the University of Arizona. She is well-known for her important work in saving and promoting the Tohono O'odham language. She wants more people to be able to read and write in their native language.
Early Work and Language Efforts
From 1986 to 1991, Professor Zepeda directed the American Indian Studies Program at the University of Arizona. She also works as an expert and supporter for many other Native American languages. She wrote a book called A Papago Grammar. She also helped write an article called "Derived Words in Tohono O'odham." This article was published in a journal about American languages.
Professor Zepeda worked with her tribe to help people learn to read and write better. This included both English and Tohono O'odham. In 1983, she created A Papago Grammar. She made this book by listening to recordings of native speakers. At the time, there were no textbooks for the language classes she taught.
Her work with the Tohono O'odham language committee led to an official rule. This rule encourages speaking the native language in all school grades.
Poetry and Awards
In 1995, Ofelia Zepeda published a book of poems called Ocean Power: Poems from the Desert. The introduction to her book was titled "Things That Help Me Begin to Remember."
In 1999, she received a special award called a MacArthur Fellowship. This award is given to talented people who show great creativity. She was also part of the team that advised the Sun Tracks publishing program. She is now the main editor for this series.
See also
In Spanish: Ofelia Zepeda para niños
