2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages: Word of the Week - Week Thirty-Two.
By administrator | 6 August 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.
State Library's 'word of the week' for Week Thirty-Two is koolkan , from the Wik Mungkan language of Western Cape, notably the Aurukun region. It is the traditional name for the present-day Aurukun community and refers to the large lagoon which was the main water source when the community was established in 1904.
This week's word coincides with Aurukun Day on 6 August and commemorates the establishment of the Archer River Mission Settlement by the Presbyterian Church.
Wik-Mungkan is sometimes used as an umbrella term for the range of Wik languages and dialects in the region - these include: Wik-Me'anh; Wik-Keyangan; Wik-Iinychany; Wik-Iiyanh; Wik-Ngatharr; Wik-Ngathan; Wik-Iiyanh; and Wik-Ep.
State Library of Queensland invites you to celebrate the 2019 International Year of Indigenous Languages as we raise awareness of the rich diversity of Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.
Join the conversation as we post a new word for each week!
Week Thirty-Two 6-12 August 2019.
#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. Opens 19 October 2019.
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 was suggested by Noel Waterman, IKC Coordinator, Aurukun and is also sourced from the following historical item in the State Library collections.
Source:
Oates, W. (1964) Gugu-yalanji and Wik-munkan language studies. Q 499.15 guy
Further Reading
The State Library of Queensland holds a number of collection items relating to Wik Mungkan and neighbouring languages, including the following:
27458 Aurukun Mission Records 1960-1974
Kilham, C., Adams, J., Bell, J. and Namponan, G. (1986) Dictionary and source book of the Wik-Mungkan language. G 499.15 1986
Korkaktain, V. (2008) Minh Nga'an Wichan = Catching fish told & illustrated by Venita Korkaktain. JUV A823.4 KOR
Oates, W. (1964) Gugu-yalanji and Wik-munkan language studies. Q 499.15 guy
Pootchemunka, M, Wolmby, M. and Kowearpta, A. (2007) Moon story. Told by Minoota Pootchemunka, Mary Wolmby & Alice Kowearpta ; translated from Wik-Mungkan by Pat Pootchemunka & Koppa Yunkaporta ; illustrated by Jack Bell. JUV 899.153 POO
Sayers, B. and Kilham, C. (1969) Wik-Munkan primer. P 499.15 SAY
Sutton, P. (ed) (1974) Languages of Cape York: papers presented to the Linguistic Symposium, Part B, held in conjunction with the Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies Biennial General Meeting, May,1974. G 499.15 1976
Sutton, P. (1995) Wik-Ngathan dictionary. Q 499.15 SUT
Thanakupi, G. F. (2007) Thanakupi’s guide to language and culture: a Thaynakwith Dictionary. Q 305.899 THA
Tindale, N. B. (1974) Aboriginal tribes of Australia: their terrain, environmental controls, distribution, limits and proper names. Q 994.0049915 tin
Yunkaporta, S. (2009) Boat-ang mo'pul (in Wik Mungkan) = Two in a boat (in English). Told and illustrated by Steve Yunkaporta. JUV A823.4 YUN
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