weather

[Ngukurr Language Centre]

Out here we are beginning to enjoy some cooler weather, at least at 
night and when the sky is clear.  Also good news.

People like myself are Caucasian, or munanga, as we are called here.  
but because of past language work I am called the Alawa olgomen (Alawa 
old woman, olgomen being a title of respect.  Forty years ago I was the 
Alawa girl.  People are trying to revitalise/keep going/sensitise 
people to at least five languages represented here in descendants of 
those who once spoke them (some still do - a very little).  The Ngukurr 
community celebrates its centenary in August 2008: it was a church 
mission providing a safe haven for people who others were trying to 
wipe out.  The language of everyday communication is Kriol, an 
English-lexified creole which reflects patterns of the indigenous 
language structure.  In Kriol there are also a number of local language 
words, and even a couple from the old Sydney language across the 
continent.

Murru (that'll do, OK from Alawa)
Margaret Sharpe
Ngukurr Language Centre
CMB 6
via Katherine  NT  0852
Ph/Fax: 08 8975 4362, Mob. 0428 711 123
Email: margaret.sharpe at kathlangcentre.org.au