As I have learned Lakȟótiyapi, I’ve noticed that it can be quite expensive to learn. I’ve probably spent around $150 dollars on learning materials in the past couple years. I’m fortunate enough to have that sort of money to spend, but some people don’t. I’m creating this website to have a place that comprehensively teaches Lakȟótiyapi year-round for free.
Why have a podcast along with the website?
Languages aren’t just written, they’re spoken. And in the case of Lakȟótiyapi, the language was spoken hundreds of years before it was ever written down on paper. In learning any language, it’s important to hear it spoken out loud. In addition, many people learn better when they have two sources of input; written and spoken. The website and podcast provide both.
What is taught here?
My lessons mainly focus on grammar. Grammar is the blueprint necessary to continue building more and more complex, and more and more fluent sounding, sentences. Along with this, I also provide smaller lessons on vocabulary, and direct translations of old writings in Lakȟótiyapi.
Where can I read Lakȟótiyapi or Dakhótiyapi
Dakota Texts by Ella Clara Deloria.
Dakota Prisoner of War Letters: Dakota Kaskapi Okicize Wowapi by Clifford Canku and Michael Simon
Muskrat and Skunk by Donald F. Montileaux, translated by Agnes Gay
Kids books published by the Lakota Language Consortium
Sina Sapa Wocekiye Taeyanpaha
Iapi Oaye (search by title, deselect all, and then find Iapi Oaye)
Where can I listen to Lakȟótiyapi?
KILI Radio’s Lakota Language Hour
SRST Language and Culture Institute
The Hóyeya podcast
Berenstain Bears dubbed into Lakota along with the corresponding script of each episode
The Jesus Film dubbed into Lakota by the Lakota Bible Translation Project