Some interesting news here and here about Japanese linguist Tasako Tsunoda who worked on Palm Island documenting Worrongo in the early 1970s. Tasako has recently bought his original documentation with him to return to the community on Palm Island. With help from the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation’s Early Learning Project the aim is to re-introduce Worrongo to children at Palm Island to aid in their over all literacy and strengthen cultural identity. You can listen to a radio interview with Tasako and Mary Ruth-Mendell from the ALNF here. The interview is highly recommended as it covers the history of documenting Worrongo, Tasako’s experiences in the field working with a last speaker and the community’s hopes for the future of their language.
-Annie
Australian Aboriginal Languages Student Blog 