Gathang dictionary hoped to lead a revival of the language (fwd link)

[Phillip E Cash Cash]

Gathang dictionary hoped to lead a revival of the language

TONI BELL
14 Sep, 2010 12:00 AM
Australia

IN the 1960s, when a young Swedish linguist, Nils Holmer, was researching
Australian Aboriginal languages he was lucky enough to meet Biripi elder
Eddie Lobban, the last known fully fluent speaker of Taree's local native
tongue.

Quite a few other Biripi people were, and still are, conversant in single
words and phrases but the language was largely unspoken by the time the
academic and the elder sat down to record it.

Today in Purfleet, a very special event is taking place with the launch of a
dictionary of the Gathang language, which comprises the dialects of a large
group of Aboriginal people from Port Stephens to Port Macquarie, including
Biripi and Worimi.

Access full article below:
http://www.manningrivertimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/gathang-dictionary-hoped-to-lead-a-revival-of-the-language/1940821.aspx
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