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Can threatened Pacific languages learn from Scots Gaelic

Maori and Pacific vernacular languages in New Zealand are under threat from English, but can they learn how to survive and even grow from the example of the Scots Gaelic language?Recently on Pacific Beat, Professor Paul Moon, an historian at the Auckland University of Technology, said that making Maori language learning compulsory for New Zealand school students would not work, as young people don't like being told what to do.

Read or listen to the full program on Radio Australia

Dictionary to revive Aboriginal Language

An ABC article by Jessica Tapp

A dictionary of the traditional Yaygirr language is to be launched at Maclean this week

North coast Aboriginal elders are hoping a dictionary and grammar guide will help revitalise a traditional language.

More than six years of research went into producing the Yaygirr dictionary, which has around 1000 words, maps and a description of the way the language works.

The Muurrbay Aboriginal Language Centre has been working with Yaegl elders from the lower Clarence to write the book.

The centre's Anna Ash said there was some debate about aspects of the language.

Read the full article: Dictionary to revive Aboriginal language - ABC North Coast NSW - Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Strengthening Mowanjum Community Languages

Story and image supplied by Maree Klesch

Mowanjum Community is working in partnership with Batchelor Press the specialty in-house publishing division of Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education to revive their languages and strengthen their culture and languages for future generations.

There are three language groups living at Mowanjum Community (15km south of Derby). Worrorra, Ngarinyin and...

Read the National Indigenous Times article.

Ngurrju! Manymak! Pupuni! NT drops First Four Hours in English policy

Greg Dickson writes in the Crikey Language Blog

It’s been three and a half rather long years, but the Northern Territory Department of Education and Training (NT DET) appears to have finally dropped their much-criticised policy of Compulsory Teaching in English for the First Four Hours of Each School Day. Checking the department’s policies today, it seems to have been quietly removed. As one of the many who criticised and lobbied against this policy, this is gratifying news and I can only hope it’s a permanent move. Read the full article

Government House Event honours Elders responsible for the preservation and revitalisation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages

From left to right: Gail Mabo, Grace Gorey, Karina Lester, Dr. Eve Fesl, Marie Ellis, Ethel Munn, The Governor General Mrs Quentin Bryce, Verna Koolmatrie, Gordon Lanyipi, Dana Ober, Mariana Babia and Jeanie Bell

Thirty one years after forming an organisation dedicated to the preservation and revitalisation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, a group of Elders was honoured in an event at Government House in Canberra on Friday the 6th July.

Read more: Government House Event honours Elders responsible for the preservation and revitalisation of...

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