Country, Culture, People, Future

language

Aboriginal language initiatives

Posted: May 15th, 2015

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There are positive initiatives across Western Australia committed to preserving traditional languages.

Nyangumarta speakers in Hedland recently underwent training to become qualified interpreters for hospitals and courts. The training facilitated by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters is hoped to increase access to services for Aboriginal people.

Weerianna Street Media in collaboration with linguist Janelle Mowarin and the Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre have created language videos for schools and other resources to complement a Ngarluma online dictionary. The Wangka Maya dictionary and Ngarluma Language Resource are available online here.

Geraldton’s Bundiyarra-Irra Wangga Language Centre recently launched a Nhanda alphabet poster along with other educational posters which promote the Nhanda language. Anyone interested in contributing to the Nhanda dictionary project may call Ms Sitorus at the Bundiyarra-Irra Wangga Language Centre on 9920 7900.

Join Wangka Maya to learn Aboriginal languages

Posted: March 20th, 2015

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Every Wednesday from 6 to 7 pm the Wangka Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre is offering the opportunity to practice your Aboriginal language skills in the Wangka Maya conference room at 67 Throssell Road in South Hedland.

For more information contact manager@wangkamaya.org.au or call Julie or Jason on 9172 2344.

New Malgana video on ABC Open

Posted: January 16th, 2015

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This Malgana Mother Tongue video, The Buyungurra who didn’t listen, was released today on ABC Open. It was created jointly by  Malgana woman Bianca McNeair, ABC Open’s Chris Lewis and the Bundiyarra – Irra Wangga Language Centre.

You can also watch more videos from ABC Open and Bundiyarra, both in Wajarri language, by clicking  here and here.

Geraldton goes Wajarri

Posted: November 17th, 2014

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Berlin-based artist Pia Lanzinger has developed a project called Geraldton goes Wajarri, as part of a larger program by Perth-based arts organization Spaced. Geraldton goes Wajarri  is designed to provide a forum for the conservation of this language by smuggling Wajarri into the public spaces of the City of Greater Geraldton (Jambinu). 

Although Amangu is the traditional language of the area, today Wajarri is the most commonly spoken Aboriginal language in the Greater Geraldton region of Western Australia.

The launch of Geraldton goes Wajarri, including “adopt a word” will be held this Thursday 20th November, 6 – 7:30pm at the Geraldton Regional Library.

For more information visit http://www.spaced.org.au/projects/pia-lanzinger/

Congratulations to the Badimia people and the Bundiyarra-Irra Wangga Language Centre

Posted: April 11th, 2014

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Badimia elder Ollie George and Bundiyarra linguist James Bednell at the launch of the Badimaya Dictionary

Badimia elder Ollie George and Bundiyarra linguist James Bednell at the launch of the Badimaya Dictionary

YMAC congratulates the Badimia people and the Bundiyarra-Irra Wangga Language Centre on the launch of the new Badimaya Dictionary. Badimia people can be proud that their culture and language is being preserved and developed into educational resources that can be shared across generations.

Several Badimia families, led by elder Ollie George, have worked on this project over the last 20 years. In the early 1990s initial preservation work was started by The Yamaji Language Centre, and the project was transferred to Bundiyarra – Irra Wangga Language Centre in 2005. Since 2012, Bundiyarra has collected more than 60 hours of audio and 10 hours of video recordings.
The dictionary was launched at a celebration on Badimia country at Kirkalocka station on 10 April. A Badimaya Guwaga wordlist and Alphabet Poster have also been developed alongside the dictionary, and will now join other Badimia language resources available from Bundiyarra, including story books, a photographic calendar and a picture book. For more information and to order any of these resources visit www.bundiyarra.org.au.

Tykeira Ward at the launch of the Badimaya Dictionary

Tykeira Ward at the launch of the Badimaya Dictionary

Joan, Louwana and Alan Walsh at the launch of the Badimaya Dictionary

Joan, Louwana and Alan Walsh at the launch of the Badimaya Dictiona

Preserving Badimia Language

Posted: September 19th, 2013

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Watch this inspiring story from ABC Mid West on on Badimia Elder Ollie George and the great work being done to preserve languages in the Yamatji region…

Country is our mother, the provider and keeper of cultural belongings. Country and Culture go together. You can’t have one without the other.

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners and custodians throughout Western Australia, and on whose Country we work. We acknowledge and respect their deep connection to their lands and waterways.

We honour and pay respect to Elders, and to their ancestors who survived and cared for Country.

Our offices are located on Whadjuk Country, Southern Yamatji Country, Yinggarda Country, Kariyarra Country, and Yawuru Country. We recognise the continuing culture, traditions, stories and living cultures on these lands and commit to building a brighter future together.

Disclaimer: Caution: Please be advised that this website may contain images, voices and names of deceased people.

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