Lightning strikes twice for endangered Aboriginal tongues (fwd)

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Lightning strikes twice for endangered Aboriginal tongues
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/26/1079939845162.html

By Linda Doherty, Education Editor
March 27, 2004

Kelsey Strasek-Barker's sweet voice sings out strange words to the
popular children's ditty, the Hokey pokey. "Nginda dhina way, Nginda
dhina dhuwimay" in the Yuwaalaraay language means "You put your foot
in, you take your foot out."

Kelsey, 9, of Tamworth, is one of the stars of Yugal, a CD of songs
recorded in Yuwaalaraay and Gamilaraay for a language revival project
in northern inland NSW.

"I'm proud of singing the Aboriginal language, and it's fun. I starting
learning in Lightning Ridge when I was five," she said.

Many Aboriginal tongues are fast dying out, and linguists such as
Christian Brother John Giacon, of Walgett, rely on 1970s recordings of
elders to rediscover the words, grammar and pronunciation.

Two years ago the Board of Studies said not a single child in NSW could
competently speak one of the 60 native languages.

But that is changing in Catholic and public schools in Walgett,
Lightning Ridge, Toomelah-Boggabilla, Coonabarabran and Goodooga, where
the CD and an accompanying Yuwaalaraay and Gamilaraay dictionary are
vital teaching resources. The similar languages were once widespread
from Lightning Ridge in the west, to Goondiwindi in the north and
Tamworth in the south.

The main learning hub is St Joseph's primary school at Walgett, where
more than half of the 190 pupils are Aboriginal. All children in
kindergarten to year 3 learn the languages, as do indigenous pupils in
senior primary classes.

On Thursday the children sang and made speeches in the ancient languages
for a Harmony Day concert, and it is not unusual for them to now greet
each other with "yaama" instead of "hello".

"They enjoy singing, and it's a great way to get them actually using the
language," Brother John said.

A frustration is that there are many gaps in the vocabulary, and no
words for modern phenomena like television or telephones.

But for Kelsey's mother, Priscilla, who has taught Yuwaalaraay at
Lightning Ridge, building on the few words she grew up with brings
immense pride. "It's great just to know the language of my nan and
great-nan and pop. The kids pick it up really easily, but it's harder
for adults because you have to get used to rolling your tongue."

This story was found at:
http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/03/26/1079939845162.html