Keeping language alive

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Tags: Indigenous, languages, winter-2012

Dr Felicity Meakins conducts research with Gurindji woman Violet Wadrill Nanaku

Researchers, teachers and students passionate about preserving, promoting and understanding Aboriginal languages met at a UQ-hosted conference recently.

Held at the Moreton Bay Research Station on North Stradbroke Island in March, the 11th Australian Languages Workshop was attended by approximately 50 participants.

The first day focused on revitalising Indigenous languages from eastern Australia.

Stradbroke Island elder Aunty Margaret welcomed everyone and talked about her new publication Jandai Language Dictionary 2011, which was produced by the local Indigenous community to help preserve their language.

Other presentations focused on reconstructing languages from historical documentation and compiling the available information before shaping it into educational resources.

UQ linguist and workshop co-organiser Dr Felicity Meakins said this work allowed young Indigenous people to reconnect with their Indigenous language and heritage.

“As well as a means of communication, a language is a collection of cultural and kinship knowledge, of ancestor stories and history,” Dr Meakins said.

Many young Indigenous people who are introduced to their historic language view it as a positive experience.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people really want to learn and we’re ready to learn,” Bianca Bond, an Indigenous Gubbi Gubbi woman said at the workshop.

“Indigenous people then have a chance to learn how respect and protocols work in their communities and issues like the difference between ownership and custodianship.”

Research in Australian languages is a focus at UQ, with the University hosting one of the largest clusters of Aboriginal language academics in the country.

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