Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-l7hp2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-26T07:49:47.596Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Dhangu Djorra'wuy Dhäwu: A Brief History of Writing in Aboriginal Language

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 July 2015

Get access

Extract

Since leaving ‘the bush’ I have been continually surprised at the ignorance that still exists about Aboriginal people and their languages. When people chat to me, and it is revealed that I used to work in Aboriginal schools in the Northern Territory, they say things like “Do you speak Aboriginal then?… Maybe you could make a sign for us saying ‘Welcome to our Kindergarten’ in Aboriginal?” I then have to explain that there are many, many different Aboriginal languages, not just one, and to say or write such things in any one of these languages requires a lot more than a mere literal translation. When I began doing research on the topic of writing in Aboriginal languages. I was again surprised at the sorts of comments people made to me. Comments like “How can you do research on writing in Aboriginal languages; I thought the Aborigines didn't even have an alphabet!”

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press or the authors 1994

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Amery, R. 1993 Encoding New Concepts in Old Languages: A Case Study of Kaurna, the Language of the Adelaide Plains. Australian Aboriginal Studies.Google Scholar
Bull, W.E. 1964 The Use of Vernacular Languages in Education Review of same title monograph on Fundamental Education. Paris: UNESCO, 19531. In Hymes, D. (ed.) Language in Culture and Society: A Reader in Linguistics and Anthropology. New York, Harper & Row, 527-33.Google Scholar
Christie, M. (forthcoming) Drawing the Line: A History of Yolngu Literacy. Draft paper to appear in Walker, D N. (eds.) The Politics of Literacy: Cultural Plurism in Australia. Australian Scholarly Publishing.Google Scholar
Gale, M. 1990 A Review of Bilingual Education in Aboriginal Australia. Australian Review of Applied Linguistics 13 2:40-80.Google Scholar
Gale, M. Dhangum Djorra'wuy Dhäwu: 1990 The development of Writing in Aboriginal Languages in S.Aand the N.T. since Colonisation. M.Ed. thesis, Darwin, University of the N.T. To be published in 1994 by the University of S.A.Google Scholar
Goddard, C. 1990 Emergent Genres of Reportage and Advocacy in the Pitjantjatjara Print Media. Australian Aboriginal Studies 2:27-47 Google Scholar
Greene, G., Tramacchi, J. & Gill, L. 1992 Tjarany or Roughtail: The Dreaming of Roughtail the Lizard and Other Stories Told by the Kukatja. Broome, Magabala Books.Google Scholar
Gunson, N. (ed.) 1974 Australian Reminiscences and Papers of LE Threlkeld: Missionary to the Aborigines 1824-1859. Canberra: Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies.Google Scholar
H.A.L.T. (eds.) 1990 Anangu Way Alice Springs, Nganampa Health Council.Google Scholar
Harris, J. 1990 One Blood: 200 Years of Aboriginal Encounter with Christianity: A Story of Hope. Sutherland, N.S.W. Albatross Books.Google Scholar
Harris, J. 1993 Magabala Books Aboriginal Corporation. Magabala Books' Newsletter July Broome.W.A. Google Scholar
Marika-Munllnggiritj, R. 1989 Ngayi Balngana Mawurrky: The Song of Yirrkala. Yirrkala. N.T. Yirrkala L.P.C. Google Scholar
Schurmann, E. 1987 I'd Rather Dig Potatoes: Clamor Schurmann and the Aborigines of South Australia 1838-1853. Adelaide, Lutheran Publishing House.Google Scholar
Schmidt, A. 1990 The Loss of Australia's Aboriginal Languages. Canberra, Aboriginal Studies Press.Google Scholar
Schmidt, A. 1992 Summer Institute of Linguistics Annual Report 1991. Darwin, S.I.L. Google Scholar
Wafer, P. (forthcoming) (ed.) Warlpiri Women's Voices. Alice Springs, Institute for Aboriginal Development.Google Scholar
Warlukurlangu Artists 1987 Kurruwlrri: Yuendumu Dorrs. Canberra, Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies.Google Scholar
Yirrkala School 1990 Yirrkala Community School: A Report on the Bilingual Programfor the 1990 Bilingual Evaluation. Yirrkala, Yirrkala L.P.C. Google Scholar