Cutting-edge technology meets ancient culture
The Ho-Chunk Nation’s Hoocąk Waaziija Haci
Language Division has worked with Thornton Media to release a dynamic
next-generation Ho-Chunk language app for the iTunes Store. iPhone and Android
versions are soon to follow. The app is the first release for Thornton Media’s
new Language Pal 2.0 software, the latest version of their popular
language-learning software apps. "The 500-entry Ho-Chunk app is part of a
vigorous Ho-Chunk language revival program." said Don Thornton, President of
Thornton Media. "The app has record / playback capabilities, reading, writing
and speaking quizzes, and three levels of games. It is highly personalized to
the Ho-Chunk community"
"The Ho-Chunk staff worked incredibly hard to make
this a success," said Thornton. "They submitted their materials to us before we
arrived at their location so we were able to get a lot done in a short time.
They made their knowledgeable staff available to us, even over the Thanksgiving
Holiday." Ho-Chunk Nation is offering the first version of the Ho-Chunk language
app free in the iTunes Store.
The program is headed by Richard Mann, respected
tribal elder and fluent speaker. "Richard said to us "If people come onto
Ho-Chunk land, they should learn to speak Ho-Chunk" said Thornton. "Richard told
us he had to learn to speak English, so what’s fair is fair."
The Ho-Chunk Nation will also be releasing an iPhone /
iPod Touch version of Ho-Chunk Basic. An Android version will be released in
May. In addition, an iPad storybook app "The Two Wolves" will be available soon
in both English and Ho-Chunk. The Ho-Chunk language program learned about
Thornton Media when they attended one of their popular Las Vegas workshops in
2011.
Thornton Media has also created an on-line web portal
for clients to upload their own materials. "This will save clients the cost to
fly us out to their reservation or reserve" said Thornton. "We will be
introducing our Online Portal to Indian Country at the Wisconsin Indian
Education Association Conference on April 20th. It’s been a busy time for us and
we have a lot of new information to present."
Thornton Media has been the industry leader in
language learning technologies. "Our Cherokee Basic was the first indigenous
language learning app in the iTunes Store in 2009. We will release a 2.0 version
in Cherokee next month", said Thornton. "Our clients will be releasing about a
dozen apps in the coming months. Tribes and First Nations want to reach their
citizens, young and old, so the languages can live on."
The app is free and can be found by searching "Ho
Chunk" in the iTunes store.
Thornton Media Inc. (
