"Kwai!" is an Abenaki greeting that even fewer people are going to understand in upcoming years. Language is constantly evolving, just as humans do. However, this means that as some languages become more dominant, others come to an end.
We speak to Emily Manetta, a professor of linguistic anthropology at the University of Vermont, about language extinction and the impact this has on culture. The Abenaki language spoken in Quebec and northeastern New England is just one of these threatened languages. We gain insight from Jesse Bowman Bruchac, a native Abenaki speaker and leader of a program that immerses people in Abenaki language. Bruchac estimates that there are fewer than ten speakers of Abenaki left. You can listen to our entire interview with him here.
Plus, the U.S and Canada get along pretty well nowadays. But there is a long history of military engagements between the countries, including secret full-scale invasion plans as recently as the 20s and 30s. Kevin Lippert, author of the new book "War Plan Red," joins us to talk about how it will all go down if the maple syrup war turns hot.
And in our latest installation of Summer School, we learn how to properly pack a backpack for a weekend trip into the backcountry.
Broadcast live on Mon., August 3 at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.
