Resurrecting Indigenous language (fwd link)

[Richard Zane Smith]

thanks Phil,
great article!

Richard Zane Smith
Wyandotte Oklahoma



On Wed, Dec 1, 2010 at 7:12 PM, Phillip E Cash Cash <
cashcash at email.arizona.edu> wrote:

> 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.
>
> Access full article below:
> http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=23828
>



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