Language resources
At the State Library of Queensland
The State Library of Queensland has developed a range of resources to support communities in the revival, documentation and preservation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.
Digital Collections which include digital stories, photographs and other material relating to languages and cultures.
On-line resources which include information sheets, resource guides, wordlists to support community language revival.
Read our virtual books online including the Butchulla, Gudjal and Yugumbeh languages.
Search the State Library's collection for Indigenous languages resources.
Documents
State Library of Queensland's Indigenous Languages Strategy [PDF 124 kb]
Ideas for Public Libraries [PDF 104 kb] - list of ideas, activities and resources for public libraries relating to Indigenous languages.
Ideas for schools [PDF 112 kb] - list of ideas, activities, resources and school curriculum materials relating to Indigenous languages.
Language computer software [PDF 82 kb] - list of resources that can support language revival in the communities.
National Indigenous Languages Survey Report 2005
References and further reading [PDF 106 kb] - list of further readings on Indigenous languages.
Bodychart Wordlists - Gambara Gamu Biyu
Gamburu Gamu Biyu is an interactive Body Chart that features a Language Pen to hear the words of nine (9) Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander languages of Queensland. Gambara is the word for body in the Warrgamay language of North Queensland; Gamu means body in both Kala Lagaw Ya and Kalaw Kawaw Ya from the Central and Western islands of the Torres Strait and Biyu is the word for body in the Southern Queensland language of Yugambeh.
Other languages featured on the Body Chart are: Nggerikudi (Western Cape York); KuKu-Yalanji (Far North Queensland); Dharumbal (Central Queensland); Gooreng Gooreng (Bundaberg Region); Butchulla (Fraser Coast Region) and Gunggari (Mitchell Region).
The Gamburu Gamu Biyu interactive body chart has been distributed to Indigenous Knowledge Centres as well as selected Public Libraries within the language regions; the following wordlists accompany the chart and can be used as a resource in schools, libraries and communities.
Body Chart Wordlist - Template [PDF 112kb]
Useful websites
There is a range of websites that relate to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and are useful starting points for schools, communities and Public Libraries. The following document contains a selection of useful sites from across Australia as well as international websites.
Indigenous language websites [PDF 82 kb] - list of useful Indigenous language websites.
Unless continued efforts are made to preserve, document, teach and encourage the use of Aboriginal languages, in a relatively short period this heritage will be lost to Aboriginal people and the world. From the National Indigenous Languages Survey Report 2005
19th century pastoral life on the Darling Downs comes alive in this intimate exhibition of treasures at SLQ
Garage Gamer at SLQ was Queensland’s first games space exclusively dedicated to local game lovers and game makers. The exhibition closed on 14 April 2013.
State Library of Queensland provides special library services for members who have an SLQ membership card (formerly known as an e-services card).
