Resurrecting Indigenous language (fwd link)

[Phillip E Cash Cash]

Resurrecting Indigenous language

JONATHAN HILL DECEMBER 01, 2010
AUS

>From the outside it looks like any other demountable. The rigid design
reeks of conformity. It sits amongst a cluster of portable classrooms
in a hidden pocket of the high school, nestled beside the vibrant bush
land. This room however is different from the others. Within this
austere structure a miracle is being made: a deceased language is
being brought back to life.

Inside, the walls are adorned with photos of kangaroos, turtles,
whales, wombats and a whole array of other native wildlife, each image
accompanied by the corresponding vocabulary. The black board is half
covered with a simple conversation that entails greetings and
introductory statements. The middle of the floor is decorated with a
Stepping Stone Serpent that represents the phonetic sounds of this
ancient alphabet. Family posters hang from the ceiling — an assignment
from term one. Each poster contains photos linked with arrows that
explain the relationship between family members. Each connection is
labeled in this language of the land.

Dhurga is a dead language. At my school however Dhurga is taught to
every student (Indigenous and non-Indigenous) as a LOTE (Languages
other than English) subject that is also part of a language
revitalisation program. I teach this subject in conjunction with a
local aboriginal man. The teaching material has been assembled with
the help of a linguist based in Canberra. When students attain their
School Certificate it will show they have undergone one hundred hours
of Dhurga instruction.

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