Monthly Archives: April 2011

Traditional Aboriginal Languages vs the monolingual mindset

Posted on April 30, 2011 by australianlanguages

As part of the AIATSIS seminar series Nick Reid presented this lecture titled ‘Traditional Aboriginal Languages vs the monolingual mindset’. Nick uses examples from film, radio, tv and newspaper articles to demonstrate some unfortunately common attitudes towards Aboriginal languages that … Continue reading →

Posted in Media | 1 Comment

Endangered languages conference in London

Posted on April 30, 2011 by australianlanguages

9-14th of May 2011 is Endangered languages week and the University of London is holding a conference. As part of the programme Candide Simard will be presenting a talk about Jaminjung and Peter Austin will be presenting a talk about … Continue reading →

Posted in Media, Resources | Leave a comment

Interpreters key to good Indigenous-Government relationships.

Posted on April 30, 2011 by australianlanguages

The Commonwealth Ombudsman has just released a report that emphasises an increase in the number and use of interpreters  is needed to build stronger understandings between Indigenous people, government agencies and service providers. When I first read the ABC’s report … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Health, Language Centres, Media, Resources | 4 Comments

Indigenous language linked to drop in drug abuse.

Posted on April 30, 2011 by australianlanguages

A recent news story by the ABC  highlights the importance of Indigenous linguistic and cultural practices  to Indigenous youth health and wellbeing. The original report was part of the ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing: A focus on children and youth, Apr 2011‘ … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Indigenous youth | 4 Comments

Wangka Maya Pilbara language Centre

Posted on April 25, 2011 by australianlanguages

Wangka Maya language centre has served the Pilbara region since 1989, doing field work, recording languages, cultures and history and  compiling resources for Pilbara communities. The Wangka Maya website contains a comprehensive history of the region, and information on the … Continue reading →

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The World Atlas of Language Structures Online

Posted on April 25, 2011 by australianlanguages

I first came across a reference to WALS in Nick Evans’ book Dying words. I thought it sounded like a great resource for a budding linguist and searched online for a copy to purchase, only to find that it would … Continue reading →

Posted in Databases | Leave a comment

Online Resources at the QLD State Library

Posted on April 17, 2011 by australianlanguages

The Queensland State Library has some interesting stuff about Torres Strait and Queensland Aboriginal Languages online. They’ve got a list of a few language centres active in the state, and some information about the types of projects each of them … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Language Centres, Resources | Leave a comment

Go Lingo!

Posted on April 12, 2011 by australianlanguages

One of our classmates from last year has just sent us this information about a new TV show that began airing on ABC 3 yesterday! Go Lingo! is a game show for 11 – 12 year olds about spelling and … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Media, TV | 2 Comments

Yankunytjatjara Love Poems

Posted on April 7, 2011 by australianlanguages

I was looking at Black Inc.’s The Best Australian Poems 2010 the other day, and came across a poem with the fantastic title, Yankunytjatjara Love Poems, by Ali Cobby Eckermann. When I flipped to the page though I was very … Continue reading →

Posted in Arts, Poetry | Leave a comment