Darkinyung Language Revitalisation

In 2006- 2007 we will focus on the following outcomes:

1. Provide a reference resource in the form of ‘A Learner's Guide to Darkinyung’ including ‘a wordlist and finder list’ and A Learner's Grammar’. This will become the main reference document for teaching and learning materials produced for adult and school language classes.

2. Design and deliver language learning workshops.

3. Collect archival documents, copies of which will be available to community members.

This follows on from work by linguist Caroline Jones in consultation with the Darkinyung Language Group. Already produced are: a recommended writing system (based on the phonemes of the language); a draft wordlist from R.H.Mathews published and unpublished research; and a report on research, describing further research needed.

Descendents of the speakers of the Darkinyung language have a strong attachment to the language, which forms part of their cultural identity. Community members have a strong interest and awareness of language revival. There is a positive attitude to Darkinyung language revival. Meetings organised by MRALC in Wyong have been well attended and the draft documents which have been distributed have been received with enthusiasm and appreciation.

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