Dakhotiyapi — Beginning Dakota Language¶
Háu! Haŋ! Welcome to Dakhotiyapi.¶
This course introduces students to the Dakota language using the Standard Dakota Orthography, the writing system developed by Dakota linguists and community educators. Language learning is paired throughout with cultural history from AIS 112: American Indian Studies.
Novice Low → Novice High | 160 days | 8 chapters | 2 semesters
About This Course¶
Dakota (also called Dakhóta, one of the three dialects of the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ / Seven Council Fires) is a Siouan language spoken primarily in Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, and Canada. It is closely related to Nakota and Lakota. Dakota was the dominant language of the Great Plains and upper Mississippi before and during European contact, and it remains a living language actively spoken and revitalized by Dakota communities today.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Greet others using gender-appropriate forms and introduce themselves
- Count from 1–1,000 and describe things using Dakota descriptors
- Talk about daily life: activities, body, health, and relationships
- Engage with Dakota spiritual values and the concept of Mitákuye Oyásʼiŋ
- Describe the land, seasons, and directions in Dakota
- Connect language to ceremony, oral tradition, and story
- Understand Dakota treaty history, the Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, and contemporary sovereignty
How to Use This Site¶
| Section | Contents |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation Guide | Vowels, consonants, accent marks, and gender speech differences |
| Chapters 1–8 | Vocabulary, grammar, cultural context, morpheme analysis, and practice |
| Chapter Quizzes | 10 MC + 3 fill-in + 3 short-answer per chapter |
| Mid-Year Exam | Chapters 1–4 comprehensive exam with ACTFL rubric |
| End-of-Year Exam | Chapters 5–8 comprehensive exam with ACTFL rubric |
| Games | 6 interactive language games for vocabulary and grammar practice |
| Glossary | All vocabulary with part-of-speech and chapter references |
Important Notice About This Course¶
Language Content Under Community Review
The language content in this course — including vocabulary, grammar explanations, example sentences, glossary entries, and interactive games — was generated with AI assistance and has not yet been reviewed or approved by Dakota language speakers or community language authorities.
This content is known to contain dialect inconsistencies and potential inaccuracies, including mixing of Dakota and Lakota forms. It should not be used as a primary language instruction resource until it has been verified by community-approved sources.
This course is currently undergoing review in partnership with Dakota language educators. Language content will be updated to align with materials from Dakhóta Iápi Okhódakičhiye and community-verified sources.
The historical, cultural, and AIS 112 content in this course is based on documented historical record and is suitable for classroom use in the meantime.
We are grateful to our American Indian cultural liaison for identifying these concerns and for guiding the course toward more responsible and accurate materials.
A Note on Language and History¶
Historical Context
The Dakota people were exiled from their Minnesota homeland following the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862 — the largest mass execution in American history occurred in Mankato that December when 38 Dakota men were hanged. Thousands more were imprisoned at Fort Snelling or forcibly removed to reservations in South Dakota and Nebraska. Dakota communities have been reclaiming their homeland and language ever since.
Learning Dakota is an act of respect for that survival and resilience. Students are encouraged to approach this language with the same care, humility, and accountability the course material asks of them.
Language as Living Tradition
Dakota is not a historical artifact — it is a living language spoken by communities across the upper Midwest and plains. Many Dakota language immersion programs, master-apprentice partnerships, and community schools are actively working to pass the language to new generations.
Course content follows ACTFL World-Readiness Standards and targets the Novice Low through Novice High proficiency range.