Gadhang (Kattang) Language Revitalisation

Many Rivers Aboriginal Language Centre (MRALC) has held community language meetings and met with Elders in several areas including: Port Stephens, Port Macquarie, Taree, Telegraph Point and Wauchope. These meetings have included such activities as:

• General discussion on what is involved in language revitalisation: researching and documenting the language; producing a grammar and dictionary; developing teaching resources and courses; community learning more about the language (adults learning so that they can pass it on to children).
• Returning copies of research and recordings from AIATSIS, and copies of draft grammar-dictionary and audio CD of sentences.
• Developing a standardised and consistent writing system.
• Listening to language CDs: recordings of speakers and modern recordings of sentences in the grammar.
• Demonstrating teaching resources available for other languages.
• Discussing various aspects to do with the Gadhang grammar and dictionary with Gadhang stories to be published in 2009: community input; including photographs from Nils Holmer; copyright to go to Gadhang people.

MRALC linguist Amanda Lissarrague has been researching all available language resources with a view to MRALC publishing the Gadhang grammar and dictionary with Gadhang stories. Several drafts of this book have been distributed to community members along with an accompanying CD of all Gadhang sentences. In future we will be able to use this reference document to develop teaching materials such as student workbooks and story books. These materials will then be a valuable resource for language learning workshops. Birrbay, Warrimay and Guringay adults will be able to learn more of their language, in order to pass it on to children.

Birrbay and Warrimay people throughout the region are using language in many areas of life including:

• Many organisations are now learning Gadhang language and welcoming people to country in Gadhang.
• Ngarralinyi radio is using language in broadcasting where possible.
• People are using Gadhang in welcomes and prayers in religious ceremonies, such as funerals.
• Some schools are introducing language.
• Some people are using Gadhang in writing songs, storytelling and in artworks.
• People are using Gadhang more in naming bush tucker gardens, buildings, accommodation/units, properties, and in business names.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Click here to return to the previous page.