Linguistic matters
Linguistics can help in the revival of Aboriginal languages in a number of ways. Until now the only people who have learnt anything about NSW Aboriginal languages, apart from Aboriginal people themselves, are linguists. Linguists have studied NSW Aboriginal languages within a rigorous academic environment that gives them insights into the relationships of languages and their grammatical features. In order to maintain the integrity of languages under reconstruction, sound linguistic advice is needed to determine what is possible and what is not in the grammar of any NSW Aboriginal language. Linguists also usually understand something of the interdependent nature of culture, language and country. Through consultation with linguists, community groups should be able to use such sound advice to make informed decisions on their own language.
Two topics that schools and communities have consistently requested information about are:
- notes on translation
- sounds and orthography.
In the sections that follow advice on these topics will be provided and each year this will be updated.