REVITALISATION OF THE KULKALGAW YA LANGUAGE In July, PLC Linguist Xavier Barker and Monash University intern Imogen Genest, travelled to Poruma, an island in the Torres Strait to provide language revitalisation support. The Kulkalgal Nation are embarking on a journey towards revitalisation of their language, a distinct variety of Kala Lagaw Ya. It was an effective and inclusive workshop with Elders flown in from as far away as Townsville and Cairns along with the nearby islands of Iama, Masig, Ngurupai, Waiben and Warraber. Kala Lagaw Ya speakers Alick Tipoti and Gabriel Bani travelled to provide support as fluent speakers of their variety. The Kulkalgal people are known for their ability to sing in their language—Kulkalgaw Ya—however the interruption of inter-generational transmission has resulted in younger people becoming passive users of their language. A development framework was developed for Kulkalgaw Ya and a revitalisation model was endorsed and adopted by the Elders and community. It was a genuine pleasure for PLC to be involved in this workshop. Imogen Genest said: ‘‘This once in a lifetime opportunity gave me an invaluable insight into the crucial work being done across Australia to revitalise Indigenous languages. It provided me the chance to apply my knowledge of linguistics in a practical setting and develop my skills in translation and linguistic analysis.” PLC looks forward to a long relationship with the Kulkalgal Nation, and supporting these inspired people to achieve their vision.
PLC Linguist Xavier Barker and Monash University intern, Imogen Genest (left), workshop attendees (centre) and local children who performed a cultural dance (right) at the Kulkalgal Nation’s language revitalisation workshop.
AUSTRALIAN ANTHROPOLOGICAL SOCIETY 2018 CONFERENCE In December, PLC Linguist Louise Ashmore attended the Australian Anthropological Society 2018 Conference ‘Life in an Age of Death’ in Cairns. Louise presented a paper titled ’The Changing role of film in documenting Language Life, Danger and Death’ in the panel ‘Language movements: endangerment, revitalisation and social transformation.’ The paper was well-received. THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY IN SAVING THREATENED LANGUAGES LANGUAGE TUTOR ROBOTS
SPREADING THE WORD
In August, PLC had a workshop at the University of Queensland to kick off a new partnership with Centre of Excellence for the Dynamics of Language (CoEDL), University of Queensland Robotics to develop language tutor robots for Cape York Peninsula. PLC’s co-design project with CoEDL is known as Thirrimbithi, meaning ‘echidna’ in Mpakwithi.
In July, PLC launched its newly designed website including an interactive languages map and learning resources. Feedback received on the website and new features has been very positive and by the end of December, there were more than 4,000 visits recorded on the website.
Thirrimbithi Chumu— Robot language Tutor painted by Victoria Kennedy.
At the workshop, PLC facilitators were taken through the steps of robotic design and construction. Three prototype Thirrimbithi robots are now lodged with Mpakwithi language champions Agnes Mark, Victoria and Susan Kennedy, who have warmly welcomed this initiative as part of Mpakwithi language revitalisation efforts.
PLC has also continued to raise awareness about Cape York’s threatened First Nations languages via social media. At the end of December, PLC had approximately 706 followers on Facebook who engaged with and shared its posts amongst their networks. These included songs and animations in Guugu Yimidhirr with one of the video clips being viewed more than 2,500 times. Social media enables PLC to reach a wider audience, thereby increasing awareness.
56