Don't worry, learn Inupiat: Alaska teacher translates famous song

It's one of those songs that once it's in your head, it's hard to get out. Which is exactly why it might be perfect for learning a new language.

Flora Rexford, a teacher in tiny Kaktovik, Alaska, decided it was worth a shot.

She's translated Bobby McFerrin's classic 1988 acapella ditty "Don't Worry, Be Happy" into the Alaskan Native language of Inupiat, and posted her performance online.

"I think it would reach more of the younger generation, having songs that people are accustomed to, or that people hear on the radio," she said.

"A lot of the [Inupiat] songs are for pre-school kids, elementary, and they're nursery rhyme songs. So I wanted songs that would be more up to date."

It wasn't easy. Rexford enlisted her aunt to help with the translation.

"Some of the phrases would be very long," she said. "We talked about all the words, and then we tried to figure out, 'ok, what do we really want to say?'"

She said the exercise has helped her with her own Inupiat skills, which she says she's "still learning."

"I notice I have a couple — well, more than a couple — mistakes when I listen to it, so I'm like, 'oh, I still have a lot of work to do!'"