Capturing the Wajarri language brings joy to elders (fwd link)

[Phillip E Cash Cash]

Capturing the Wajarri language brings joy to elders

Gian De Poloni
Updated April 04, 2012 17:19:25
AUS

Growing up, members of the Wajarri in the Murchison were forbidden from
speaking their native language and some were punished or even flogged if
they did.

Wajarri elder Elvie Dann remembers it being banned during her childhood.

"When I was growing up around the Mullewa area in the 1940s, the government
at the time said they didn't want children to be taught the language," she
said.

"That was the saddest thing that they didn't want the parents who were the
fluent speakers to teach their children the language."

But, efforts are being made to redress the loss.

Access full article below:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-04/wajarri-dictionary-feature/3933158?section=wa
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