2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages: Word of the Week - Week Forty-Seven.
By administrator | 19 November 2019
As part of State Library's commitment to the 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages, we will be promoting a 'word of the week' from one of the 125+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and dialects from across Queensland
This week's word is ngundindari from the Mithaka language of Western Queensland. It means 'know, to know'. It coincides with the opening of Spoken State Library's IYIL2019 exhibition.
One of the central messages from community members for the exhibition is "we would like all Queenslanders to know more about our languages".
Mithaka, also known as Midhaga, Mittaka, etc., is closely related to the South Australian language of Dieri language, as well as neighbouring languages of Yaluyandi, Ngamini and Garwali. These are part of the Lake Eyre Basin group of languages extending from Mt Isa to Lake Eyre.
Gavan Breen has undertaken extensive work on Western Queensland languages, including recordings of Mithaka which are held at AIATSIS
in Canberra. The Mithaka Aboriginal Corporation plays a lead role in the revival of language and cultural knowledge across the region.
Spoken opens this week and the State Library encourages you to explore the languages of Queensland and the work of communities to keep languages alive and strong for the next generation.
Join the conversation as we post a new word for each week!
Week Forty-Seven 19-25 November 2019.
#slqIYIL #IYIL2019 #IYIL #IY2019WordoftheWeek #SLQIndigenousLanguages
Desmond Crump
Indigenous Languages Coordinator, State Library of Queensland
State Library of Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages Webpages
State Library of Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Languages Map
Jarjum stories: A kuril dhagun showcase focusing on children’s books and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. 19 October 2019-10 May 2020.
Spoken: celebrating Queensland languages: A major exhibition exploring the survival and revival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages throughout Queensland. Join in the many talks and events to celebrate the rich and diverse languages spoken today. Opens 21 November 2019.
UN IY2019 Links
UN International Year of Indigenous Languages webpages
UN International Year of Indigenous Languages Resources
References
The word of the week has been sourced from the following item in the State Library collections.
Source: Breen, J.G. (1990) Salvage Studies of Western Queensland Aboriginal Languages. J 499.15 bre
Further Reading
Other materials in the State Library collections relating to Mithaka and neighbouring languages, include the following:
Breen, G. (1976) "Ngamini, and a note on Midhaga." in Dixon, R. Grammatical categories in Australian languages. G 499.15 1976
Curr, E. M. (1887) The Australian Race: its origins, languages, customs, place of landing in Australia and the routes by which it spread itself over that continent. RBF 572.994 cur
Breen, G. (1976) "Ngamini, and a note on Midhaga." in Dixon, R. Grammatical categories in Australian languages. G 499.15 1976
Tindale, N. B. (1974) Aboriginal Tribes of Australia: Their Terrain, Environmental Controls, Distribution, Limits and Proper Names. Q 994.0049915 tin
Wafer, J. and Lissarrague, A. (2008) A handbook of Aboriginal languages of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. J 499.15 WAF
Weblinks
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