10.75.102    DEFINING INDIAN LANGUAGE FLUENCY

(1)  "Fluency" is: 

(a) the flow in spoken or written language as perceived by the listener or reader, with the flow made possible by clarity of expression, the acceptable ordering of ideas, and the use of vocabulary and syntax appropriate to the context; or

(b) general mastery of spoken or written language, easy and accurate, with few mistakes, and the ability to contribute to diverse discussions. 

(2)  Fluency is determined by each tribe's language and culture department via oral exam to ensure that speakers are able to converse in a variety of contexts and purposes. 

(3)  Montana Indian language fluency can be rated according to the following scale:

(a)  Beginning.

(i)  No memorization.

(ii)  Speaker needs help and support to understand or say anything.

(b) Simple Basics.

(i) Very limited usage, mostly memorized.

(ii) Speaker needs help and support to understand or speak basic sentences.

(c) Progressing.

(i) Beginning mastery, which requires significant effort and results in many mistakes.

(ii) Speaker understands and can say simple sentences.

(d) Ready Equipped.

(i) General mastery with easy and accurate communication with few mistakes.

(ii)  Speaker understands and can say simple sentences.

(e) Fluent.

(i) General mastery with easy and accurate communication with few mistakes.

(ii) Speaker understands and can contribute to diverse discussions.

(f) Expert.

(i) Advanced/native mastery, with regular and accurate use of words that have multiple meanings.

(ii) Speaker understands and can converse about anything.

(4)  Progress regarding Indian language fluency for a tribe will be tracked according to the following scale:

(a)  Level One:  The tribe has fewer than 10 fluent language speakers, no culture or language department, a beginning curriculum level, a lack of resources in support of language, no tribal education department, and no class 7 standards have been established.

(b)  Level Two: The tribe has 10 to 50 language speakers and class 7s within the tribe, a language and culture department established, a class 7 resolution and guidance in place, developed intermediate curriculum level, developed a tribal education department, and tribal fluency standards are in progress.

(c)  Level Three:  The tribe has 50 or more language speakers and class 7s, a language and cultures department, a tribal education department, curriculum, fluency standards in place, and class 7 process is expanding. 

 

History: 20-9-537, MCA; IMP, 20-9-537, MCA; NEW, 2023 MAR p. 1086, Eff. 9/23/23.