Welcome to the Aboriginal Languages Research and Resource Centre (The Languages Centre)
As part of the NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs, the NSW Aboriginal Languages Research and Resource Centre plays a key role in the preservation and revival of Aboriginal languages in the state.
Click HERE to search the Online Language Archive.
Background to the Language Centre
For Aboriginal people, language is critical to maintaining, strengthening and asserting cultural identity. The Language Centre is helping to preserve and revive Aboriginal languages in New South Wales.
Through this site, you can:
- Find out what the Language Centre is currently doing and who is involved.
- Ask for help with language preservation and revitalisation.
- Find references to publications available from the Language Centre or included in the Online Language Archive.
- Find links to community and government organisations, school programs and written resources relevant to language research and other matters of interest to Aboriginal communities in NSW.
“Language is our Soul”
Aunty Rose Fernando
“Language is very important to us, it is our connection to our ancestors and for those of us who still use our language can connect with the ancestors of the past. We belong to the land without the land we are nothing. Our life blood comes from the land and what is of the land. Language holds secrets to the connection of the land”.
Aunt Phyllis Darcy, Awabakal Descendant
“Aboriginal languages were here before we came, they are here now and they’ll be here long after we’ve gone”.
Brother John Wright, Principal St Joseph’s Primary School, Walgett
“Language goes to the very core of one’s identity and Aboriginal languages contain, embedded in them, much of the culture, social values and world view of its speakers”.
Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, 1992
Grants to revitalise Aboriginal languages
12 July 2009
The Rees Government is continuing to support Aboriginal language revitalisation programs across New South Wales under a $200,000 language grants program.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Paul Lynch today announced successful grant recipients.
They are:
- Guringai Tribal Link Aboriginal Corporation, Central Coast - $5500 to revitalise, teach and promote the Guringai language
- Western Heritage Group, Cobar - $6000 to produce a book on the history, culture and language of the Keewong Mob of the Ngiyampaa People
- Guwaalmiya Aboriginal Corporation, Coonabarabran - $10,000 for a Gamilaraay Yuwaalaraay dictionary
- Coomealla Aboriginal Consultative Group and Coomealla High School, Dareton - $10,000 to collect all known sources of the Barkindji language
- Red Chief Local Aboriginal Land Council, Gunnedah - $22,900 to revive language through workshops, recording Elders speaking Gamilaraay language and teaching traditional songs and language skills to children
- Narromine Local Aboriginal Land Council - $10,000 to produce resources to teach and revitalise Wiradjuri language
- 3rd Space Mob Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation, Wollongbar - $20,000 to produce and direct films depicting original Gumbaynggirr stories: How the rivers were made; Yuludaria,Gawnggan and Birrugan; The tree of life; The making of the sea; and Wijirrjagi
- Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council - $24,300 to produce resources to help 20 students in Orange, Bathurst and Cowra finish TAFEaccredited courses allowing them to teach Wiradjuri in the Central West
- Port Stephens Family Support Service - $3000 to teach Gadhang language to Worimi children in Raymond Terrace, Karuah and Irrawong
- Dharriwaa Elders Group, Walgett - $12,000 produce classroom resources for Yuwaalaraay Aboriginal language teachers to use in Walgett, Lightning Ridge and Goodooga
- Projects to the value of $54,000 will be conducted in Sydney including a summer school in Gumbaynggirr at Sydney University ($20,000), a Dharawal language program at La Perouse and Wiradjuri language project at Tempe High School
Mr Lynch said New South Wales had a proud record of recording and teaching Aboriginal languages.
"New South Wales was the first government in Australia to adopt a formal indigenous language policy," he said.
"For more than 20 years, Aboriginal people have made it clear that they want their languages back as a vital part of their culture, identity and pride," Mr Lynch said.
"For Aboriginal people, language is a direct link to their identity, land and country and reflects their unique cultural concepts, spirituality and way of looking at the world," he said.
"You can't have a strong culture without a language - it is the cornerstone of identity and pride," Mr Lynch said.
Before the arrival of Europeans, at least 70 Aboriginal languages and dialects were spoken in the area now called New South Wales.
Now there are only about 20 distinct Aboriginal languages used in the State.
"Through the hard work of our Aboriginal Languages Research and Resource Centre, we are determined to help Aboriginal people retain their languages," Mr Lynch said.
MEDIA CONTACT: Andrew Williams 0408 602 936