Glossary of Genomic Terminology in the Navajo Language

ISBN: 978-1-960830-05-0     Price: $28.95

Authors: Martha Austin-Garrison, Rene L. Begay, Perry Charley, Susie John, and Frank Morgan

This resource was developed to support educators like you in introducing students to key concepts in genetics and genomics through the lens of the Diné language. The glossary draws from trusted sources such as the Talking Glossary of Genomic Terms to provide accurate and accessible terminology.

A moratorium on genetic research studies was established in 2002 by the Navajo Nation until such a time that the Navajo Nation developed a policy for educating tribal members about the scientific and cultural aspects of genetic and genomic research. In 2018, the Navajo Nation Genetics Policy Development Working Group was established. Members of this group recognized the need for effective communication about genetic and genomic terminology in English and Navajo—a need which led to the creation of this glossary.

We hope this glossary will be a valuable tool in your classroom—sparking meaningful discussions about genetics and genomics, fostering cultural connections, and inspiring students to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Sample Entries

Genomics

Definition: A field of biology focused on studying the structure, function, evolution, and mapping of an organism’s whole genome. (p. 78)

Navajo Translation:
Dahináanii be’iiná biitł’óól yee hadít’éhígíí naalkaahgo bik’ehgo náás da’ahéélchíihii bindii’a’ danilígíí, nidaalnish, dahazlį́į́’dę́ę́’, be’iiná bitł’óól t’áá át’éé nit’ę́ę́ bii dahólónígíí bídahoo’aah

Living organism, life cells/DNA, by means of it, makeup, doing research/lab, according to it, forward/future, giving births, structure, that are, working from the time they exist/became alive their life cells, all of it, inside it, those that exist, learning about it.

Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease (SCID)

Definition: A rare immunodeficiency typically presenting in infancy which results in a weak immune system that is unable to fight off mild infections. (p. 70)

Navajo Translation:
Ats’íís bee doo bihodééłníinii bąąh dahoo’aahígíí doo łą́ągo baa deinít’į́įda, awéé’ ániid yichíihgo bee bihodiit’ih dóó awéé’ bits’íís bee doo bihodééłhgoníinii doo bidziilda áyiił’į́į́hgo ch’osh doo yit’íniida éi doodago naałniih t’įįhdígo naałniih nidi doo yínílłdzilda.

Body, by means of it, not, it gets affected, upon it, a problem develops, a rare immunodeficiency disease, an infant, newly-born, by means of it, it will be afflicted, and baby, its body, by means of it, not affected by problems, not, strong, it will make it, bacteria, or viruses mildly, epileptic, but, not strong enough to fight it.

Additional Note:
Náás oolchíiłii ał’ąą ánáá’níłígíí ła’ ałyóígóó bił nahaz’ą́ągo ahił nidaalnishgo biniinaa ákót’éego ąąh dahoo’aash.

Forward/future, birthing/genetic, different, producing, different, location, with it, in place, working together, because of it, in that way, diseases.