This module provides a foundational understanding of the sounds of the Kiowa language which includes cultural orientation, language classification, the history of written Kiowa, then covers the pronunciation and meaning of Kiowa vowels, consonants, combined consonants, popped sounds, nasalized sounds, and the use of diacritic marks within the Kiowa language Modified Parker McKenzie (PMK) orthography. The guiding inquiry question for this module is: What are the sounds of the Kiowa language and why does the written orthography matter for language revitalization? The proficiency target after completing this module is Novice Low according to the Oklahoma Academic Standards for World Languages (2022) as deemed appropriate by the Kiowa Tribe’s Kiowa Language Credentialing Board.
**** Acknowledgements: Developed in collaboration with Dàu:tsáigyàán:t’á:gyámà (Dorothy Whitehorse-Delaune) with input from Gáuidòñ:gyà màutêmk’ì (Dane Poolaw), Píthótgyámà (Delores Harragarra), Ts’ógútk’ómà (Martha Nell Kauley-Poolaw), the members of the Kiowa Language Credentialing Board, and various Kiowa Elders, Kiowa Speakers, Cohort 2022 Credentialed Kiowa Language Teachers, and Cohort 2023 Kiowa Language Teacher Candidates. Compiled by Gômgyàdáugyàmà (Melody Redbird-Post) for LearnKiowa.org for use by Kiowa families and teachers.