Australia is situated in one of the world’s linguistic hot spots, nevertheless, lots of Australians are not aware of the extraordinary linguistic diversity of Native Australia.Aboriginal languages and Torres Strait Islander languages have struggled to endure since the time of colonisation.According to First Languages Australia “in the late 18th century, there were between 350 and 750 unique Australian social groupings, and a similar number of languages”. These languages determine whose nation we are on and who we need to acknowledge and pay respect to when we are on their land.But the bright side is many language groups are striving to preserve their native tongue. And languages are constantly being restored.First Languages Australia has developed an interactive map that shows and promotes the diversity of Aboriginal languages and Torres Strait Islander languages. The map is called Gambay, which implies”together”in the Butchulla language of the Hervey Bay region in Queensland.It showcases more than 780 languages.The map provides Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander neighborhoods control over the way their languages are openly represented through spelling and videos of’ language legends’who share their knowledge.Some videos have actually been offered by the ABC in cooperation with First Languages Australia.First Languages Australia works carefully with language centres and speakers around the country to establish the map to reflect the names and groups favoured by neighborhood. Languages Australia manages the map, community
contributions and its ongoing advancement in consultation with language centres and speakers. The ABC does not warrantand is not accountable for the accuracy, currency, efficiency or dependability of the details included in the ma p.This map is also a permanent function on the ABC
Indigenous website.How the map can teach you language:< h2 class="_ 1LI2A _ 3_H8z SelAj _ 1t9H3 ZPXNE lxkD-mSYxO age8P"data-component="Heading "> How the map happened Warrgamay
women, Melinda Holden and Bridget Priman are siblings and are the driving force behind the Gambay map.After completing a course on Indigenous languagesat
TAFE in Cairns, both women fell in love with learning how to check out and write in
language.Ms Priman went on to graduate with a Bachelor
of the Arts in Language
and Linguistics and Ms Holden got a Diploma in Linguistics and Planning.Together they have been passionate activists for grassroots language communities. Packing … Ms Holden stated that as they were finding out, they understood there wasn’t someplace people might to readily access this type of information.”There was constantly this bothersome concern of where do we go to get all of this stuff?” Ms Holden said.So, about 7 years back, they started investigating Aboriginal languages and Torres Strait Islander languages within Queensland.”We wanted a summary of what languages were out there,”Ms Holden said.
As members of the Queensland Indigenous Languages Advisory Committee, Ms Holden and her sis provided to the
group– and then to First Languages Australia– the idea of an interactive map. The Gambay map was later on introduced in 2015.
The map has gone through various versions and is updated with information and info that local language centres and neighborhood groups wish to share.First Languages Australia includes details as people provide it– things such as spelling, and the areas language groups cover.
“We speak with neighborhoods on who to speak with and who would have the
last word,” Ms Holden stated. ‘A fantastic tool’Now retired, Ms Holden states what the map is today is more than she might have ever thought of.”We desired to see elders speak about their language and their
country,”she stated.”We desired individuals to know the language of the land they survive on, as the language of that area describes the land and animals of that area.”Now covering the entire country, the Gambay map has become a resource all Australians can use to find out about their local Aboriginal languages and Torres Strait Islander
languages.” It also helps people discover their nation,”Ms Holden said. She states the map can likewise be used in class.”It’s far much easier for trainees to find out language now,” she stated.”It’s all there … it’s a great tool.”Gambay also offers contacts for individuals who speak their standard language and want to share their knowledge.If you
are a language custodian and want to include a pronunciation file to your language noting on
Gambay, you can email: contact@firstlanguages.org.au or get in contact via the Gambay website. More actions you can take towards reconciliation: Walking Together is taking a look at our nation’s reconciliation journey and where we have actually been and asks the concern– where do we go next?Join us as we listen, learn and share stories from throughout the country that unpack the truth-telling of our history and embrace the abundant culture and language of Australia’s
First People.
Related Post
