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Session LRE2: Language revitalisation and education 2

1. Doris Paton & Christina Eira: Language regeneration and the ‘Y’ generation in an Urban Context

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Abstract

People today have vastly different contexts and communicative needs from people 200 years ago, but it is not always obvious what to do about this in language revitalisation situations. Urban ‘y generation’ in particular are using many new forms and settings for communication, so that for them to see their languages as relevant, it is clear that language reclamation efforts will need to be directed in part towards encouraging the use of Language in their worlds.
In this paper, members of the Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages will illustrate a ‘regeneration’ model in which young people and others are embracing Language in new contexts including hip-hop, ICT activities, movies and other contemporary settings. These innovative activities increase the interest of young people in their language as well as promoting their engagement in education.

At a linguistic level, this raises issues of language change, especially the development of new words. At an education level, it requires a holistic approach which encourages students to apply their language learning directly to their everyday lives. In language revival programs, while the primary goal in mind is to reclaim what has been lost, the vital importance of young people for the future of the language is certainly acknowledged. We propose that a regeneration model can make good use of the foundations built on the knowledge held by Elders and in archives, moving ahead into a vibrant future for Aboriginal languages in the contemporary world.

Author bios

Doris Paton is a descendant of the Gunnai people of Gippsland and Monaro/Ngarigo people of NSW. She has worked in Koorie education for over 27 years and has completed a Bachelor of Arts, a Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary), a Masters Degree in Education focussing on Indigenous education and currently doing her PhD in Education. Doris is the co-ordinator for the Yirruk-Tinnor Gunnai Community Language Program and is currently a Team Leader in the Koorie Unit at Central Gippsland Institute of TAFE in Morwell. Doris is also the Vice Chairperson of the Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages.

Dr Christina Eira is the Community Linguist for VACL. This role is focussed on Aboriginal communities reviving their languages, based on principles of the reclamation of authority in language. Christina works alongside Koorie people as they develop skills and confidence in language work, and within academic linguistics exploring the ramifications of this work for epistemological, methodological and theoretical concerns. Previously, she has worked with immigrant communities on language maintenance. For her PhD, Christina explored social and political discourses underlying standardization processes and orthographic development. Christina has co-produced dictionaries in four languages, and a contemporary grammar of Narungga (South Australia).

2. E. Fesl & B Priman: Indigenous Languages Education in Queensland – the rocky path. Warrgamany language journey from near extinction to language revitalization (failures and successes)

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Abstract

Eve Fesl: 'Indigenous Languages Education in Queensland – the rocky path':

The presentation by members of the Queensland Indigenous Language Advisory Committee will outline the history of language programs in the state, which has seen marked fluctuations over the past 30 years. From early programs which successfully captured language recordings and supported the development of teaching resources in many locations, communities have been left unsupported, to survive a subsequent period of years of disinterest on the part of the broader community, for their aspirations in regard to revitalizing and teaching languages. In recent years, a coordinated approach between communities, supported by the Queensland Indigenous Languages Advisory Committee is seeing a resurgence in interest and confidence on the part of community members to take an active role in developing language programs, and in taking a place alongside established programs as innovators of new and effective teaching strategies. Most recently, education authorities in Queensland have faced the realization that it is now past time for languages to be acknowledged and supported through state based curriculums. Moves are now underway to address the issue, but with this comes the realization that years of neglect mean years of intensive catch up and recovery…….if this can be done.

Bridget Priman: 'Warrgamay language journey from near extinction to language revitalization (failures and successes)'.

The Warrgamay Language was listed to be near extinct with few language speakers remaining. Some people from the Warrgamay nation identified the need to preserve and revitalise what was remaining of the Warrgamay language. This journey from near extinction to language revitalisation will give an overview of the failures and successes of the Warrgamay language program. The Warrgamay community established a community based language program, which consisted of a language emersion structure. The Warrgamay community initially employed an indigenous primary school teacher to teach the language. It was found the teacher lacked the skills and knowledge to understand the complexity of the language structure. It was at this point, the community identified the need to employ language experts from outside the community.The development of a multi-faceted program of capacity building, material production, scaffolded learning structure, maintaining partnerships and the recognition and employing the use of technology have ensured the continual growth and preservation of the Warrgamay language.The Warrgamay language program has experienced failures and successes over a 10 year period. It is currently a non-funded program; however the skills amongst our language community have allowed us to continue in our journey to language preservation and revitalisation.

Author bios

Eve Fesl is an Aboriginal linguist and author - Elder of the Gubbi Gubbi and Jiman people of south east Queensland. Dr. Fesl has been an active member of many national and state bodies related to Indigenous languages and cultural issues and is a former Council Member of the Australian National Museum, Canberra. Dr. Fesl is a speaker and teacher of the Gubbi Gubbi language and in 1990 was awarded the Order of Australia Medal – Commonwealth Government – for services to the Ethnic community and Australian languages. Dr. Fesl is currently the acting Chairperson of the Queensland Indigenous Languages Advisory Committee and Director and Principal Researcher for Ganggala Pty.Ltd. She has published a number of books and is currently writing the history of the Gubbi Gubbi people.

Bridget Priman was born in Bundaberg, North Queensland. She is affiliated with Warrgamay and Gurang people. For the past 10 years she has been working on her Warrgamay language, which is situated in Ingham, North Queensland. This Warrgamaygan Elder has just completed her BA in Language and Linguistics. She also has an Advanced Diploma in Adult Education (ALBE). Bridget represents language issues through QILAC (Queensland Indigenous Language Advisory committee), Eastern States and FATSIL. As a Board member of the Reference Group of Black Ink Press, she advises and encourages more language stories to be published. Bridget’s dream was for Queensland to reinstate a Diploma of Indigenous Language Studies, a Cairns course run in the late 1990’s and early 2000, where Bridget started her learning journey of Aboriginal languages. Eventually with the help of BIITE, NT, a Diploma of Australian Languages was held in Cardwell North Queensland. Success was obtained by most students enrolling in a BALL course in language and linguistics in BIITE, NT. Bridget is a firm believer in capacity building within her people. Given the right tools and opportunities her people can manage their own affairs while still having the integrity to seek outside help when needed.

3.Kevin Lowe: Australia’s Eastern States Project: first landings, greatest loss

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Abstract

Australia’s Eastern States Indigenous Languages Working Group was established in 2008 to identify and address issues which are common to Eastern Australian language communities. Through observation of the efforts of communities engaging in language reclamation and revitalisation around Australia over the past 20 years, it became apparent that a different set of needs have emerged for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in those parts of Australia which were the earliest and most heavily colonised.
The focus in these areas tends to be for the most part on language reclamation, rather than the development of programs aimed at ensuring the continued/ongoing use and maintenance of languages. In looking at ways to support language education programs, priorities need to be established and an assessment made of the most efficient approaches to be taken for those communities who are only in the initial stages of addressing language loss. Of particular interest is the examination of the role of new information technology to assist in this work. Is it possible that by using technology effectively, some communities can actually be making more rapid progress than those who began work earlier and produced outcomes using painstaking recording methods. How also can this project support communities whose languages cross the established state boundaries? The paper will examine different strategies to encourage work on traditional rather that state based boundaries.

Author bio:

Kevin Lowe a Gubbi Gubbi man from SE Queensland, is Inspector Aboriginal Education in the NSW Office of the Board of Studies, a key position in the development of Aboriginal syllabuses and curriculum perspectives in NSW. He has had extensive experience in schools, TAFE and universities before taking up this position in 2001. He has been the Deputy Chairperson of the Federation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages. For many years he has been actively involved in the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group. He is currently working with Aboriginal communities, schools and education systems in establishing programs that centre the development of school-community learning partnerships.