Portraits Showcase the Faces of America’s Language Speakers at Risk of Extinction
**Preserving America’s Endangered Languages: The Endeavor of B.A. Van Sise**
In an era where cultural variety holds unprecedented significance, photographer and photojournalist B.A. Van Sise embarked on an extraordinary quest—a visual and cultural venture aimed at documenting the faces and voices of people representing America’s at-risk languages. This innovative initiative has evolved into a traveling exhibition and a book titled *On the National Language: The Poetry of America’s Endangered Tongues*, emphasizing the urgent need to preserve these linguistic heritages before they vanish.
### The Impact of Portraits and Language
Van Sise’s project transcends mere documentation of speakers of uncommon languages. His photographic narrative envelops viewers in that historical and cultural juncture where languages hover at the brink of disappearance. With nearly 80 artistic portraits, his collection honors not just the individuals who communicate in these endangered languages but also the profound histories that resonate within their expressions.
Each portrait featured in the book is paired with a description of the individual’s language, frequently enriched by essays from contributors with varied cultural perspectives. These narratives foster a reflective conversation on the significance of maintaining linguistic diversity, spanning Native American languages such as Navajo and Oklahoma Choctaw to regional variations like Pennsylvania Dutch and Kouri-vini, colloquially known as Louisiana Creole. Van Sise’s imagery, coupled with these stories, interlaces a complex fabric of America’s vibrant yet fragmented cultural heritage.
### Challenging Perceptions and Creating Connections
At the project’s inception, Van Sise envisioned his effort primarily as an exploration of the past—a form of historical documentation tied to colonialism. However, as he delved deeper, he recognized that his journey was increasingly about the future than anyone had foreseen. In a discussion with *My Modern Met*, Van Sise reflected on how much the initiative was fueled by younger generations dedicated to safeguarding these languages for what lies ahead, not simply to honor the past.
Van Sise notes that numerous participants in language revitalization are in contact and collaborate with one another, forming a closely-knit community of protectors of endangered languages. Many exchange thoughts and tactics for preserving their languages, aiding their respective cultures in retaining this intangible yet essential facet of their identity. This sense of connection—spanning regions, cultures, and languages—became the foundation of Van Sise’s endeavor. One interviewee would frequently introduce him to another, expanding the project’s reach.
### Journeying to Unique Places: Personal Experiences
A standout aspect of the project is Van Sise’s commitment to immersing himself in the lives of his subjects. This was not merely a collection of fleeting encounters captured in quick succession; his work demanded both time and mutual trust. In one notable instance, Van Sise spent four days on a Pennsylvania farm with Sylvan Esh, a Pennsylvania Dutch speaker.
Given that Esh is Amish, Van Sise needed to foster a trust level that would enable him to capture the man’s likeness—a challenging task in a community where photography is typically prohibited. The resulting image shows Esh from behind, serving as a poignant representation of the sensitive negotiations involved in this journey to convey the essence of various linguistic communities.
Another striking portrait in the collection features *Virginia Carmelo*, a Tongva language speaker from Los Angeles, California. Her involvement underscores efforts to revive Native American languages that colonial powers sought to eradicate, highlighting the crucial role of both memory and practice in keeping these languages vibrant.
From the *Superstition Mountains* in Arizona, where Van Sise encountered Laura Tohe, a Navajo speaker, to the far reaches of Alaska, where he captured *Nina Fifelov*, who speaks Alaskan Russian, each portrait invites viewers to different parts of the United States. Each individual embodies a compelling tale of linguistic resilience amid cultural assimilation, technological uniformity, and global integration.
### A Show of Global Relevance
The resulting exhibition is anticipated to debut at the *Skirball Cultural Center* in Los Angeles in October 2023. Van Sise aspires for his book and the associated exhibition to do more than simply raise awareness—he envisions them stirring curiosity and a sense of urgency. His goal is to illustrate the interconnectedness of all cultures and stress how much humanity stands to lose should these languages cease to exist.
As he noted in an interview, we must “step away from this mindset of solely caring about ourselves” and acknowledge that “our histories are intertwined and our futures are as well.” By engaging with these portraits and the narratives accompanying them, he hopes younger generations will find inspiration. Van Sise’s photographs encourage them to embrace the responsibility of language preservation and take pride in their collective, diverse heritage.
### Language as Cultural Memory
Language is far more than a compilation of grammatical structures and vocabulary—it is a conduit for culture, tradition, and worldview. Each endangered language in Van Sise’s