May 4nd, 2024
Today, on May 4th, we celebrate Star Wars Day, when fans around the globe honor one of the most iconic franchises in cinematic history. At Languages 4, we find a unique and powerful connection between Star Wars and Native American cultures, mainly through the Navajo-language dub of "A New Hope," the groundbreaking first episode of the Star Wars saga.
"The Force and the universe is all interconnected. When you put that in the Navajo language, especially for an elder to hear that, they’re going to just be thinking, like, yeah, of course. It’s not just a movie. That’s stuff we really believe."(2)
One of the most inspiring stories of cultural preservation and creativity comes from Manuelito Wheeler, a longtime Star Wars fan and the director of the Navajo Nation Museum. With his wife Jennifer, Wheeler made it their life's mission to celebrate and protect the Navajo language. Together, they achieved a remarkable feat: they translated and dubbed the entirety of "Star Wars: A New Hope" into the Navajo language, also known as Diné Bizaad.
Wheeler's journey began in 1996 with the simple idea of bringing the beloved film into the Navajo language. For years, he reached out to Lucasfilm, determined to make his dream a reality. It took sixteen years of persistence, but in 2012, Lucasfilm finally responded, and the project took off. Wheeler's dedication and perseverance resulted in a culturally significant and globally impactful translation that continues to inspire today.
The Navajo-language dub of "A New Hope" became more than a translation; it became a bridge, connecting the Navajo people with the wider world and allowing them to see themselves as part of a beloved fictional universe. This project wasn't just about preserving a language and welcoming the Navajo people into the Star Wars universe. As Wheeler said, "Star Wars really helped bring us inside."
The Navajo dub of "A New Hope" achieved something incredible: it shattered stereotypes and showed the world that Indigenous languages and cultures have a place in popular culture. The project even received a global audience when made available on Disney+. It is a testament to the importance of language sovereignty and representation for the Navajo and all Indigenous communities.
The founder of Languages 4, Tim O'Hagan, has a deep love and connection with Star Wars, which makes the connection to Indigenous language revitalization even more special. O'Hagan's passion for both the iconic franchise and Indigenous cultures highlights the unique role that pop culture can play in preserving and celebrating Indigenous languages.
On this special day, we celebrate the intersection of a galaxy far, far away, with the rich and diverse cultures of Native America. The Dine translation of "A New Hope" is a perfect example of how Indigenous languages can be preserved and revitalized through innovative and creative means.
Today, on Star Wars Day, we invite you to experience the magic of "A New Hope" in Navajo. You can watch the Navajo-language version on Disney+ and support Indigenous language preservation. 🌟
#IndigenousLanguages #LanguageSovereignty #IndigenousLeadership #NavajoLanguage #StarWars
Through projects like the Navajo-language "A New Hope," we celebrate the resilience and strength of Indigenous cultures. Together, we can continue supporting their language and leadership endeavors, ensuring that they continue to thrive for generations to come. May the Fourth be with you! ✊✨
(1)https://www.starwars.com/news/navajo-language-star-wars-a-new-hope
(2) https://kottke.org/23/11/why-star-wars-was-dubbed-into-the-navajo-language
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