Diné Bizaad Bínáhoo’aah: Rediscovering the Navajo Language Audio Set 1

Lessons 1–10
ISBN: 978-1-893354-76-0
Price: $60

Narrated by: Evangeline Parsons-Yazzie and Berlin Yazzie

This seven-hour audio supplement to Chapters 1–10 of the textbook Diné Bizaad Bínáhoo’aah: Rediscovering the Navajo Language invites you to experience the beauty of the Navajo language, culture, and traditions.

Lessons 1–2: Navajo Sound System

You will listen to Dr. Evangeline Parsons-Yazzie as she teaches the sound system of the Diné language, beginning with the alphabet, consonant and vowel sounds, and minimal pairs: kǫ́ǫ́ (here), ko (fire). This listening practice builds a strong foundation for speaking and reading skills.

Lessons 3–4: Navajo Verbs and Grammar

After practicing syllables and words, you’ll explore how Navajo sentences are formed. Navajo verbs are central—they can be complete sentences by themselves. You will add prefixes to verb stems to express different aspects of action, gaining insight into sentence construction and grammar patterns that support reading, writing, and teaching the language.

Lessons 5–7: Family and Relationships

These lessons introduce vocabulary for immediate and extended family, names of strength, and clan relationships. You'll create sentences using first, second, and third person subjects. New verbs like naashné (I am playing) and vocabulary like daanéeʼé (toys) will be practiced.

Lesson 8: Household Items and Handling Verbs

You’ll learn nouns for household items and practice three of the eleven “handling” verbs that mean “to give.” For example: baa nishʼaah (I am giving the self-contained object to him). Vocabulary includes naaltsoos (a book), jool (a ball), and tsitsʼaaʼ (a box). Sample sentence: jool baa nishʼaah (I am giving the ball to him).

Lessons 9–10: Clothing, Body Parts, and Health

You will learn vocabulary related to clothing and parts of the body, and practice with four new handling verbs. A dialogue between a maternal grandmother and grandchild will introduce language for discussing physical health and wellness.

Cultural Introduction

Each lesson includes a cultural introduction narrated by Berlin Yazzie. These segments emphasize the importance of family ties, self-respect, and pride in the strength of the Navajo people.