This text was translated from a presentation by Gawura Wanambi to the East Arnhem Regional Council Local Authority group:
“The point of this project is to prevent my language from disappearing. We’re not sure if many Yolŋu are thinking about this possibility or not. For myself, I know that I hold Marraŋu knowledge, where our country and songs begin and where they end, I know it all. But to be completely honest, I’m still learning the many features of my own language. It’s like the words are hiding. That’s why this project is important.
“Every clan has its own language. I’m thinking that if I can start with my own language, I’ll open doors for others to follow. It’s not just about teaching languages, it’s about working with Yolŋu who hold the languages. For example, one last old lady is still speaking straight Marraŋu language everyday. She has come into ARDS to record some Marraŋu language. I’ve been learning, and I’ll keep learning. Even though I’m a Marraŋu person, I’m still learning all the finer points of my own language. My sister knows them all and she will share that knowledge. I’m putting it onto paper so that it’s sitting there safe for later. Some might wonder how putting languages on paper will help for later but it’s good, this is the time to record it! It’s a training process for us. It’s a really big area of training for me. Hopefully later, I’ll be speaking more of my own language!
“We don’t want our ancient, original languages to disappear. Even some of our own elders have stopped using their own languages and replaced them with others. They know the words and features of their own languages, but they’re hardly bringing them out and using them around us. I want to encourage those elders to bring out the languages and use them so that our languages live, so that they don’t disappear.”
The project involves collecting previously recorded materials, and recording new materials, including songs and stories, and enhancing them for community and pedagogical purposes.
Songs and stories are being transcribed and translated and shared with community members, supplemented with commentaries, illustrations, annotations, and translations into other Yolŋu languages where appropriate.
Gawura has some recordings in Marraŋu from AIATSIS, including his father telling stories. He also has recordings of his older sister telling stories on Yolŋu Radio. He has begun transcribing these.
ARDS had funding from ILA to develop an album of manikay called Buku-waṯthunawuy Nininyŋu rom – Ancient Languages New Sounds. It contained songs from various Dhuwa clans, which won a NIMA for Best Traditional Music in 2018. During this project, Gawura was able to create a Toolbox database with around 600 words. This project was ‘parked’ this project when the funding ran out, but thanks to First Languages Australia, support for a Priority Languages Support Project was made available from June 2020 to June 2021.
The team is led by Gawura Waṉambi, with the support of members of his clan, including Marrarrawuy Margaret Waṉambi, Kathy Waṉambi, Sharon Wunuŋmurra, and elders Yaŋgipuy Waṉambi and George Ḻuḻparr Waṉambi. The project has been supported by Cathy Bow (CDU project manager), Hannah Harper (former linguist at ARDS) and Yasunori Hayashi (CDU Yolŋu Studies Co-ordinator).
