Category: Blog

Learnings from the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games will be used to promote Aboriginal language use in the lead up to the Brisbane Olympics in 2032.

SEQILC Director Rory O’Connor said strategic lobbying and targeted community projects linked to the 2018 event had resulted in Yugambeh language being enjoyed and used by tens of thousands of locals, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal.

Mr O’Connor told a language forum at the Brisbane Exhibition Centre that major events are a good catalyst to promote cultural outcomes.

Aboriginal community members accompanied Borobi to Buckingham Palace for an audience with the Royal Family in 2017. Borobi, a Yugambeh word for koala, was used to name the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games mascot. It was the first time in history a local Indigenous word was used to name a mascot for either the Olympic or Commonwealth Games. 

The Yugambeh language’s digital journey has been captured in the prestigious International Journal on Digital Studies 2025.

The 12-page article traces the origins of community language revival from the 1980s through to the development of Australia’s first language app in 2012. It also examines the work of Rory O’Connor and other community members with Google Arts and Culture to produce Woolaroo in 2019, a free-to-access web-based language app that is now used by Indigenous communities world-wide.

The article is co-authored by SEQILC Director Rory O’Connor and Cat Kutay, an Aboriginal linguist and scholar from Charles Darwin University, Northern Territory.

Click link to see article

Aboriginal Author Cat Kutay from Charles Darwin University spent two years working on the story of Yugambeh’s digital journey. 

The actions of two quick thinking children saved the ancient water spirit Yawk Yawk when she was taken prisoner by a commercial water distributor on a rainforest mountain in Queensland.

That’s the basis of a tale created by Aboriginal artist Abigail Chaloupka, herself a resident on Tamborine Mountain, inland from the Gold Coast. Abi was joined in performance by SEQILC Director Rory O’Connor, who introduced local traditional language to the tale.

Abi curated the story for the annual Tamborine Mountain Arts Trail, which is a weekend of arts and exhibitions hosted by locals.

“I wanted to bring attention to the 100,000 tonnes of water that is taken from Tamborine Mountain by large companies including Coca Cola Amatil each year,” Abi explained.

“Water is a cultural item, but it is taken without any compensation or even recognition of the communities that have looked after these water sources forever.”

In Abi’s story, Yawk Yawk is sucked into a water processing truck and sold in a fish and chip shop. Luckily she is spotted by two savvy Aboriginal siblings who release Yawk Yawk back into a local waterfall.

Abigail Chaloupka enthralled audiences with her story of Yawk Yawk, an Aboriginal spirit captured by water collection companies on Tamborine Mountain in the Gold Coast hinterland.

SEQILC is calling for Indigenous youth who want to have stories professionally produced for the world to see.

The Storey Players are a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to preserving First Nations’ languages and stories through drama, storytelling, and filmmaking in remote communities across Australia.

Founded by Simon and Tina Storey, they work with community members to capture and celebrate local stories, ensuring they are preserved for future generations.

The stories can be traditional or modern, existing or invented for the project.

For more information contact [email protected]

Yalari, the charity that assists Indigenous students into boarding schools, turns 20 this year. Yalari  was founded in 2005 and is based in Yugambeh country on the Gold Coast. It currently has 248 students on Yalari scholarships nationally and more than 500 alumni studying at universities, working or undertaking further training.

More than 90 percent of respondents in a recent language revival survey indicated they want their resources online and downloadable. More than 80 per cent of respondents lived off country and all of these wanted children to be able to access learning resources. The survey was part of a community engagement strategy to develop a service delivery model for languages in Outback Queensland. For more information contact www.outbacklanguages.com.au

Internationally acclaimed Indigenous language revival expert Professor Ghil’ad Zuckermann warned that language purists are hindering Indigenous language revival around the world.  

There are two major threats to language revival,” Professor Zuckermann said. “The first is from those who say we must all learn English,” Professor Zuckermann said. “This view is simply wrong and outdated.” 

He said the latest threat is from people who try to stop language revival because they think it is not spoken exactly the way it once was.  

“They would rather the language die than change to meet the needs of modern community,” he said.  

“This attitude is just as dangerous as wanting everyone to learn only English.” 

Professor Zuckermann said lessons could be learnt from language journey of his homeland, Israel. Israeli’s wanted to revitalise Hebrew, but there were no fluent speakers. So they used grammar from Yiddish – a language with fluent speakers – and inserted traditional Hebrew words.  

The result is the modern Israeli Hebrew.  

“It is not the same as original Hebrew,” Professor Zuckermann said. “But Israel now has its own language that can be spoken in the parliament, the courts and by the people. That is language revival.” 

Professor Zuckermann said this is the path that needs to be taken by any language that wants to have revival, where no fluent speakers are still living and where the historic notes on the grammar are not complete. This is the situation most Aboriginal languages are in today. 

Professor Ghil’ad Zuckermann is listed among Australia’s top 30 ‘living legends’ of research by The Australian newspaper (2024). He received the Rubinlicht Prize for life achievement in Yiddish research in 2023.  

Professor Zuckermann’s views and experiences in language revival are contained in his book ‘Revivalistics’.    

For Indigenous peoples, the act of learning and speaking your ancestral language is more than just a linguistic exercise—it is a powerful tool for cultural preservation, personal empowerment, and community revitalisation. In the face of historical and ongoing language loss, reclaiming your language can restore a deep sense of identity and strengthen ties to your heritage. Here are the top five reasons why learning your ancestral language is not only important but essential to your well-being and the future of your people.

1. Cultural Reclamation and Strengthening Identity

Learning your ancestral language allows you to reconnect with the very roots of your culture, history, and traditions. Language is the foundation of cultural expression—stories, ceremonies, songs, and values are passed down through language. When you learn your language, you reclaim a piece of your heritage and reinforce your identity, fostering a sense of pride and belonging. This journey not only strengthens your personal connection to your culture but also helps to ensure that the wisdom of your ancestors is carried forward to future generations.

2. Language as a Tool for Healing and Empowerment

For many Indigenous communities, the loss of language has been tied to colonisation, trauma, and cultural dislocation. Learning your ancestral language is an act of healing—both for yourself and for your community. It gives you the power to reclaim control over your narrative and break free from historical cycles of oppression. Language learning can be an empowering process, one that allows you to regain confidence in your cultural identity and stand proudly in who you are as an Indigenous person.

3. Revitalising Community Bonds

Languages are the glue that binds communities together. When you learn your ancestral language, you contribute to the revitalisation of your community by ensuring that your language continues to be spoken and passed down. This strengthens the social fabric and creates opportunities for intergenerational connection—whether it’s through language classes, cultural programs, or family conversations. Learning the language with others, young and old, fosters unity and collective healing, bringing communities closer in shared purpose.

4. Sustaining Traditional Knowledge and Worldview

Indigenous languages are not just about words—they carry complex systems of knowledge that include unique worldviews, philosophies, and understandings of the natural world. Through language, you can tap into generations of wisdom that have guided your ancestors. Traditional ecological knowledge, cultural practices, and spiritual teachings are embedded in the language itself. By learning your ancestral language, you ensure that this deep well of knowledge is preserved and accessible to future generations, allowing these teachings to continue to inform your relationship with the land and the world around you.

5. Enhancing Personal Well-Being and Cognitive Health

The process of learning your language can have profound cognitive and emotional benefits. Research shows that learning a language can improve memory, problem-solving skills, and mental agility. It also contributes to emotional well-being by fostering a sense of accomplishment and connection to your roots. Furthermore, reconnecting with your language can provide a sense of pride and personal fulfillment, helping to counter feelings of disconnection or marginalisation that may arise from the impacts of colonisation. 

Conclusion: A Path to a Brighter Future 

Learning your ancestral language is an act of resistance, resilience, and renewal. It is a way to honour your ancestors, preserve your culture, and contribute to the ongoing strength of your community. By learning your language, you become a vital part of the movement to revitalise and protect Indigenous languages, ensuring that they continue to thrive and evolve for future generations. 

Whether you are just starting your journey or are deep in the process, remember that every word you learn is a step toward reawakening the language that holds the heart of your heritage. Embrace the journey, knowing that in learning your language, you are creating a future rooted in pride, empowerment, and cultural vitality. 

2024 saw a new Yagara language book released by the Australian National University. ‘Yagara Dictionary and Salvage Grammar’ by Karen Sullivan and Glenda Nalder.  

This book compares the written records of Aboriginal language around the Brisbane and Ipswich areas to facilitate revitalisation of the spoken language. It includes all known written instances of Yagara/Jagera/Ugarapul, including original spellings.

 

Back Cover: 

Most English speakers in Australia know a few words of Yagara, the Pama-Nyungan language traditionally spoken in the area that now includes Brisbane and Ipswich. For example, Australian English yakka ‘work’ comes from the Yagara verb yaga ‘to work’. However, no fluent native speakers of Yagara remain. The current volume compares the written records of Yagara to facilitate revitalisation of the spoken language. 

 

With over 1500+ words this book is one of the first to comprehensively collect local Yagara language words.  

Available on the ANU website at: https://press.anu.edu.au/publications/series/asia-pacific-linguistics/yagara-dictionary-salvage-grammar 

 

Learning a new language is always a rewarding endeavour, but diving into an Aboriginal language can be particularly enriching. Aboriginal languages offer unique insights into the cultures, histories, and perspectives of Indigenous peoples. Here are the top five reasons why you should consider learning an Aboriginal language and how each benefit can significantly enhance your life.  

1. Better Career Prospects

A basic knowledge of a local Aboriginal language is needed for working in education, the public service, and tourism. This skill not only sets you apart from other job candidates but also allows you to connect more deeply with the local community. Additionally, being proficient in an Aboriginal language can lead to unique opportunities in fields such as cultural consultancy, translation, and community development. 

2. Improve Your First Language

Learning a second language, particularly one with a very different grammar structure to your native language, helps you understand your own first language better. This deeper understanding enhances your communication skills and enriches your appreciation of linguistic nuances. Moreover, it can make you more articulate and effective in both your personal and professional interactions. 

3. Cognitive Benefits

Learning a second language improves memory, brain elasticity, problem-solving abilities, and attention control. Some studies also indicate a delayed onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s! Engaging with an Aboriginal language can sharpen your cognitive functions and keep your mind agile. The mental challenge involved in mastering new vocabulary and grammar structures stimulates brain activity, fostering overall mental health and acuity. 

4. Increased Happiness

People who speak a second language have a broadened worldview, increased cultural knowledge, and report being generally happier than monolinguals. Immersing yourself in an Aboriginal language can open doors to new cultural experiences and friendships, enhancing your social life and emotional well-being. This enriched perspective on life can lead to greater satisfaction and a deeper sense of connection to the world around you. 

5. Boost Confidence

Studying a language allows you to take risks and step into something new and slightly uncomfortable. You’ll make plenty of mistakes – often in front of an audience. From this, second language learners experience a growth in their confidence. We all make mistakes! Embracing these challenges and overcoming them builds resilience and self-assurance, empowering you in all areas of life. 

 

Embarking on the journey to learn an Aboriginal language is not just about acquiring new linguistic skills—it’s about expanding your horizons, enhancing your mental and emotional well-being, and opening up a world of new possibilities. Whether for personal growth or professional development, the benefits are profound and far-reaching. Start your language learning adventure today and experience the transformative impact it can have on your life.